Implant-Supported Dentures · Led by Dr. Hung Le Ba Gia (Dr. Evans) · Last reviewed May 2026
Stop Your Denture Slipping. For Good.
Picasso Dental places implant-supported overdentures in Vietnam with 2 Osstem implants, with 4 Osstem implants, and with Nobel Biocare or Straumann, every fixture covered by the manufacturer's original warranty. Snap-on Locator attachments or milled bar retention, your denture clicks firmly into place, removable for cleaning, finally stable when you eat and speak.
What is an Implant-Supported Overdenture?
An implant-supported overdenture is a removable denture that snaps firmly onto two to four dental implants. Unlike conventional dentures that rest on the gums and slip while eating, overdentures click into place via Locator attachments or a milled bar. You can remove the denture for cleaning, but it does not move while you talk, chew or laugh. It costs less than a fixed All-on-4 bridge, is easier to clean and repair, and dramatically improves quality of life for current denture wearers.
Why Choose an Overdenture?
The Slipping Stops
Conventional dentures rely on suction and adhesive. Overdentures lock onto implants. The single biggest patient-reported benefit, you can eat without thinking about your teeth falling out.
Easier Hygiene Than Fixed Bridges
You take the denture out, clean it thoroughly, and clean around the implants directly. With fixed All-on-4 bridges, hygiene happens with the bridge in place, harder.
Lower Cost Than Fixed
2-implant lower overdenture. 4-implant lower overdenture. Compare to All-on-4 fixed at. The price difference funds two trips for international patients.
Overdenture Pricing
Pricing is itemised in your written quote and depends on the configuration: 2 or 4 implants per arch, the brand chosen (Osstem, Neodent, Nobel Biocare, Straumann), and the attachment system (Locator caps or milled bar). All quotes include the implants, the attachment system, and the denture conversion (your existing denture if suitable, or a new one). Add-ons (bone graft, extractions, new denture if existing is not suitable) are listed as separate lines when CBCT shows they are needed.
The Procedure, Step by Step
From your first consultation to a denture that finally stays in place. Total timeline: 5 months.
Consultation + CBCT
Clinical exam, medical history, CBCT scan, denture assessment. Two to four implant positions planned.
Day 1 · 60 minSurgical Planning
Number of implants, brand, attachment system (Locator vs bar) and timing of denture conversion decided.
Day 2–3Surgery
Implants placed under local anaesthetic. Surgery takes 90 minutes per arch. Existing denture relined for healing.
Surgery · 60–90 minOsseointegration
4 months of healing during which the implants fuse with bone. Denture worn as soft-tissue-supported during this period.
3–4 monthsDenture Conversion
Locator caps or bar fitted to the implants. Matching housings cured into the denture's underside. Denture now clicks onto the implants.
2 visits · 1 weekLocator vs Bar-Retained: Which Attachment?
Two main attachment systems hold the denture onto the implants. Each has its own trade-offs.
Locator Attachments
How it works: Each implant carries a small metal cap (Locator). The denture's underside has matching plastic inserts that snap onto the caps.
Pros: Simpler, easier to maintain, less cost, easier to clean, plastic inserts replaced every 2 years as routine maintenance.
Cons: Slightly less rigid than a bar. Inserts are a wear item.
Best for: Most overdenture patients · Standard cases · Cost-conscious patients.
Bar-Retained
How it works: A milled titanium or zirconia bar is screwed onto the implants. The denture has a matching channel that engages the bar via clips.
Pros: Maximum stability, rigid connection, splints the implants together for better load distribution. Useful for complex cases or severely resorbed ridges.
Cons: Higher cost. Bar profile requires slightly more vertical bone height. Cleaning is slightly more complex.
Best for: Heavy chewers · Severely resorbed ridges · Patients wanting maximum stability short of a fixed bridge.
Overdenture vs Conventional Denture vs Fixed Bridge
Three options exist for full-arch tooth loss. Here is the honest comparison.
| Criterion | Conventional Denture | Implant Overdenture | Fixed All-on-4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable? | Yes | Yes (snap-on) | No (fixed in place) |
| Stability while eating | Poor (slips, needs adhesive) | Excellent (locks onto implants) | Excellent (fixed) |
| Bone preservation | No (bone shrinks) | Partial (at implant sites) | Yes (full) |
| Hygiene access | Easy (remove and clean) | Easy (remove and clean) | Harder (clean in mouth) |
| Feel like real teeth? | Less natural (palate covered upper) | Quite natural | Most natural |
| Lifespan (denture/bridge) | 5 to 7 years | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 20 years |
An overdenture is often the rational middle ground, a substantial upgrade over conventional dentures, at meaningfully less cost than a fixed bridge.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Implant-supported overdentures suit most adults wearing or about to wear conventional dentures. Decided after your CBCT scan.
You're a Strong Candidate If
You currently wear a conventional denture and find it slipping or loose.
You are about to lose your remaining teeth and want a fixed-but-removable solution.
You have adequate bone in the front of the jaw for 4 implants.
Your gums are healthy, or any active disease has been treated.
If diabetic, your HbA1c is well-controlled.
You can perform daily denture cleaning and attend 6-month recalls.
An Overdenture May Not Be Right If
You strongly prefer fixed teeth that you never remove (consider All-on-4).
You have limited dexterity, removing and replacing the denture daily may be challenging.
You have severely resorbed ridges with insufficient bone for 2 implants in the front (zygomatic implants may apply).
You have uncontrolled diabetes or active periodontal disease.
You are a heavy smoker unwilling to stop or reduce.
Recent Overdenture Cases
A small selection of recent overdenture conversions. Every photograph shows an actual Picasso Dental patient, published with their written consent.
Lower 2-Implant Overdenture
Lower Arch · Osstem + Locator
Patient from Hanoi · Treatment: 4 months · Hanoi Old Quarter
Upper 4-Implant Overdenture
Upper Arch · Straumann + Locator
Patient from Sydney · Treatment: 5 months · Da Nang Vinmec
Bar-Retained Overdenture
Lower Arch · Nobel Biocare + Bar
Patient from Auckland · Treatment: 5 months · Hanoi Westlake
Long-Term Denture Conversion
Both Arches · Osstem + Locator × 2
Patient from London · Treatment: 5 months · HCMC Thao Dien
Full Arch Extraction + Overdenture
Lower · Neodent + Locator
Patient from Singapore · Treatment: 5 months · Da Nang Vinmec
Palate-Free Upper
Upper 4-Implant · Straumann
Patient from Da Nang · Treatment: 5 months · Da Nang Hoà ng Diệu
Who Will Place Your Overdenture Implants
Overdenture cases at Picasso Dental are led by Dr. Hung Le Ba Gia (Dr. Evans), with 1,000+ implants placed including hundreds of overdenture and full-arch cases.
Lead Implant Specialist
Dr. Hung Le Ba Gia (Dr. Evans)
Picasso's dedicated implant specialist. Overdentures are a frequent request from existing denture wearers, the surgery is straightforward and the quality-of-life impact is dramatic.
Founding Clinical Director
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founder of the original clinic in 2013. Sets clinical standards for implant case selection, surgical protocols and prosthetic delivery group-wide.
Clinical Co-leader
Dr. Ben Pham
Founding clinical leadership member. Senior role across all six branches. Co-establishes implant quality benchmarks and audit protocols.
Caring for Your Overdenture
Daily routine differs from a fixed bridge: you remove the denture, clean it, and clean around the implants directly.
Daily Cleaning
Remove the denture morning and night. Brush it with a soft denture brush and mild soap (not toothpaste). Brush the Locator caps on the implants directly with a soft toothbrush.
Overnight
Most clinicians recommend removing the overdenture at night and storing it in a denture solution. This rests the gums and reduces fungal infection risk.
Every 6 Months
Professional cleaning, soft-tissue check around each implant, denture inspection. Plastic Locator inserts may be replaced if worn.
Every 2 Years
Routine replacement of the plastic Locator inserts inside the denture. Quick, inexpensive, takes 5 minutes in the chair.
Every 7 Years
The denture itself may need relining (the underside re-fitted to changing gum contours) or eventually replacing. The implants stay; only the denture is renewed.
If You Travel Home Mid-Treatment
We provide complete clinical records, X-rays, implant serial numbers, attachment specifications. Your home dentist can perform recalls and replace inserts using standard Locator parts available worldwide.
The International Overdenture Journey
Two paths for patients flying in from abroad. Overdentures suit international patients well, less complex than fixed bridges, easier to convert your existing denture if you have one.
Option A: Two Trips (Standard)
Trip 1 ( 7 days): Consultation, CBCT, surgery, existing denture relined for healing or interim denture provided.
Wait at home: 4 months osseointegration. WhatsApp check-ins.
Trip 2 ( 5 days): Locator caps fitted, denture conversion, final adjustments.
Best for: Most patients · Bone healing time at home · Two short manageable trips.
Option B: Single Extended Trip
One trip ( 5 months): Consultation, CBCT, surgery, healing in Vietnam, conversion, all in one stay.
Best for: Retirees · Remote workers · Patients who can take an extended period in Vietnam.
Bonus: Low cost of living during healing · Beach recovery in Da Nang or mountain recovery in Da Lat.
Risks & Success Rates: Honestly
Overdenture surgery is among the most predictable implant procedures. Here is what the literature reports and how Picasso minimises every avoidable risk.
Documented Success Rate
Long-term clinical literature reports implant survival in the 98 percent range over 10 years. Lower-jaw 2-implant overdentures have particularly strong survival data, multiple landmark consensus statements (the McGill Consensus, 2002) recommend the 2-implant lower overdenture as the minimum standard of care for full lower-arch replacement.
What Can Go Wrong
Failure to integrate at one position (rare). Plastic insert wear (routine, 2 yr replacement). Denture fracture (re-line or replace). Peri-implantitis if hygiene is poor.
How We Minimise Risk
CBCT 3D imaging before every implant. Autoclave sterilisation. Genuine brand fixtures only. Surgical planning reviewed before any incision. Patient education on daily denture hygiene at delivery.
If Something Goes Wrong
If the implant fails to integrate within 6 months, we re-place it at no additional cost. Routine attachment maintenance is covered for the first year. We don't invoice you to fix our own work.
Smoking & Overdentures
Smoking roughly doubles implant failure risk. We strongly recommend stopping at least 2 weeks before surgery and remaining smoke-free for 8 weeks after.
Why 2 Implants Are Enough for the Lower
The lower jaw has dense cortical bone that holds implants well, and the denture itself rests stably on the gum ridge. Two front-jaw implants provide enough retention to stop the slipping that drives most patients to seek treatment, at the lowest cost entry point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are implant-supported dentures?
Implant-supported dentures (also called overdentures or snap-on dentures) are removable dentures that anchor onto two to four dental implants. Unlike conventional dentures that sit on the gums and slip while eating, overdentures click firmly into place via Locator attachments or a milled bar, and can be removed for cleaning.
How much do implant-supported dentures cost in Vietnam?
At Picasso Dental, implant-supported overdentures start at with 2 Osstem implants and Locator attachments, with 4 Osstem implants, and with Nobel Biocare or Straumann.
How is an overdenture different from All-on-4?
Both can use 4 implants per arch, but the prosthesis differs. All-on-4 supports a fixed bridge that you do not remove. An overdenture is removable, you take it out for cleaning. Overdentures are typically less expensive, easier to clean, and easier to repair, but feel slightly less natural than a fixed bridge.
How many implants do I need for an overdenture?
Lower jaw overdentures often work well with just 2 implants because the dense lower bone provides good support. Upper jaw overdentures typically need 4 implants because the upper bone is softer and the denture has more area to stabilise. We recommend after CBCT review.
Will my overdenture stay in place when I eat?
Yes. Locator attachments grip the implants firmly enough that the denture does not move during normal eating, including biting into apples, sandwiches and cooked meat. Removal requires deliberate finger pressure.
Do I take the overdenture out at night?
Most clinicians recommend yes, removing the overdenture at night allows the gums to rest and reduces the risk of fungal infection. The denture is cleaned overnight in a denture solution and replaced in the morning.
Locator attachments vs bar-retained: which is better?
Locator caps are simpler, easier to maintain, and the standard for most cases. A milled bar provides more stability and rigidity, useful for complex cases, severely resorbed ridges, or patients wanting maximum security. Bar-retained dentures cost more and require slightly more bone to fit the bar profile.
How long do the Locator caps last?
The plastic inserts inside the Locator caps wear over time and are replaced every 2 years as a routine maintenance item, this takes 5 minutes and is inexpensive. The metal Locator components on the implants themselves typically last 10+ years before consideration for replacement.
Can I have an overdenture if I currently wear conventional dentures?
Yes, this is the most common scenario. We can often modify your existing denture to fit onto the implants once they are placed (Locator housings cured into the underside), saving you from needing a brand new denture. If your existing denture is worn or poorly fitting, we make a new one as part of the treatment.
Will I need bone grafting for an overdenture?
Often less grafting is needed than for fixed full-arch reconstructions. The implant positions for overdentures are typically in the front of the jaw where bone is more reliably preserved. CBCT scanning on day one tells us definitively.
Where is implant-supported denture surgery performed?
At any of our six branches. The surgery is shorter and less complex than All-on-4 or All-on-6, typically 90 minutes per arch. Hospital-based delivery is available for patients who prefer it but is not strictly required.
How long do implant-supported dentures last?
The implants themselves routinely last 25 years or more. The denture itself is a wear item, expect 10 years before relining or replacement. The plastic Locator inserts are routine maintenance, replaced every 2 years.
Related Treatments
All-on-4 Fixed Bridge
If you want fixed teeth that you never remove, four implants supporting a permanent bridge of 14 teeth.
Conventional Dentures
If implants are not for you, our denture team makes high-quality conventional full and partial dentures, with the option to upgrade to overdentures later.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Both arches restored. Mix and match: overdenture in one arch, fixed bridge in the other, common for patients balancing cost with desired stability.
Start Here
Stop Your Denture Slipping
Within 24 Hours.
Tell us where you are starting from, current denture, missing teeth, comfort issues. Our implant team reviews every request and responds with a recommended configuration, brand, attachment type and price estimate, at no cost and no obligation.