Next Smile Australia - September 2026 - 11 Minute Read
Implant supported overdentures can improve chewing compared with traditional dentures because they clip onto dental implants instead of relying on suction or adhesive. Research shows complete dentures restore only around 11% of natural bite strength, and several studies have recorded bite forces two to three times higher once a denture is anchored to implants. For people wanting a bite closer to natural teeth, research suggests fixed full-arch bridges such as All-on-4® can go further again. Results vary.
Bite strength plays an important role in how effectively you can chew and process food. While natural teeth provide strong, stable biting forces, removable dentures and partial dentures generally provide less.
A well-cited study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that removable partial dentures restored around 35% of the bite strength of natural teeth, while complete dentures restored around 11%. More recently, a 2025 study from Leipzig University recorded an average bite force of 547 N with natural teeth, compared with 55 N with complete dentures in both jaws.
This difference can affect everyday eating. People wearing traditional dentures may find themselves avoiding tougher foods, cutting food into smaller pieces or choosing softer options.
Traditional full dentures rest on the gums and rely on factors such as suction, jaw shape and, in some cases, adhesive to remain in position. As the jawbone naturally changes following tooth loss, the fit of dentures can also change over time, which may contribute to movement, particularly with lower dentures.
Common Issues Experienced With Dentures can include:
In Australia, around 4% of adults have lost all of their natural teeth, rising to almost 13% among people aged 75 and over, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare..
| Type of Teeth | Bite Strength Compared With Natural Teeth |
| Natural teeth | 100% |
| Fixed bridges on natural teeth | Around 80% |
| Removable partial dentures | Around 35% |
| Complete dentures | Around 11% |
Age can add to the challenge. In a study of 850 adults over 60, low bite force was linked with age, general health and how many teeth still met when biting.
Researchers note that tooth loss itself isn’t a normal part of healthy ageing, which is why restoring stable teeth can matter so much.
An implant-retained overdenture, sometimes called a clip-in or snap-on denture, is a removable denture that attaches to dental implants placed in your jawbone. Instead of resting only on your gums, it clips onto connectors on the implants, which helps hold it steady.
Most overdentures are supported by two to four implants. The denture may attach with individual clip-style connectors, or to a slim bar that joins the implants together. Your clinician will recommend the most suitable design for your bone, bite and goals.
You still take it out for cleaning, but it is designed to be far more stable than a traditional denture while you eat and speak.
Anchoring a denture to implants can make a real, measurable difference. Across several clinical studies:
• One study recorded average bite force rising from 63 N with a conventional denture to 132 N with an implant overdenture, and the number of chewing strokes needed to break down food fell from 69 to 40
• Another recorded bite force rising from 122 N to 370 N after moving from complete dentures to implant-supported overdentures
• A study in the Journal of Dental Research found overdenture bite forces sat between those of conventional dentures and natural teeth
In other words, overdentures can provide greater stability and bite strength than traditional dentures, but they typically do not replicate natural teeth.
Because the denture is supported and retained by implants, it is less likely to shift, rock or lift while you chew. That added security may mean less time thinking about your denture, and more time enjoying your meal.
Foods that are often difficult with traditional dentures may become easier to manage, such as:
• Steak and other meats, cut into smaller pieces
• Raw vegetables and salads
• Apples and firmer fruits, often sliced
• Crusty bread
• Nuts, where your clinician says it’s appropriate
Research reviews suggest that implant overdentures can make it easier to eat harder, tougher and crisp foods, such as raw vegetables, fruit and meat, compared with conventional dentures.
How Do Overdentures Compare With All-on-4® for Bite Strength?Many denture wearers worry about their denture slipping or moving while eating with family or friends. Implant-retained overdentures help minimise this movement, allowing many patients to feel more relaxed in social situations.
To stay in place, a traditional upper denture must cover the entire roof of the mouth to create a seal. This cover blocks thousands of taste buds and shields the palate from sensing food temperature and texture. Because implants provide excellent retention, an upper overdenture can often be designed in a horseshoe shape, leaving the roof of the mouth completely open. This dramatically improves the sensory experience of eating.
If getting as much of your bite back as possible is your priority, it’s worth knowing how overdentures compare with fixed full-arch teeth.
A 2018 study in Clinical Oral Implants Research measured average bite force across different types of teeth:
| Type of Teeth | Average Bite Force Recorded |
| All-on-4® bridges in both jaws | 283 N |
| Natural teeth | 199 N |
| Implant overdentures | 91 N |
| Complete dentures | 84 N |
A 2020 study that replaced patients’ dentures with either overdentures or All-on-4® bridges found the same order: the highest bite force and chewing efficiency with All-on-4®, then overdentures, then dentures. A small number of studies have found well-designed overdentures on four implants can perform similarly to fixed bridges, and results always vary between individuals.
The key difference is design. An All-on-4® bridge is fixed, uses four implants and doesn’t cover the roof of your mouth, while an overdenture is removable and usually uses fewer implants. For a closer look at chewing with fixed teeth, read Bite Back: Bite Strength and Chewing After All-on-4® Dental Implants.
| Feature | Traditional Dentures | Implant-Retained Overdentures | All-on-4® Fixed Bridge |
| How it stays in place | Suction, jaw shape, sometimes adhesive | Clips onto 2 to 4 implants | Fixed onto 4 implants, removed only by your clinician |
| Removable at home? | Yes | Yes, for daily cleaning | No |
| Bite strength in research | Lowest, around 11% of natural teeth | Higher than dentures | Highest of the three in most studies |
| Movement while chewing | Can move | Less movement | Stays in place |
| Covers roof of mouth (upper) | Usually | Sometimes | No |
| Ongoing maintenance | Relines and replacement over time | Clip inserts wear and are replaced periodically | Regular check-ups and professional cleans |
Getting used to a new overdenture takes a little patience and that’s completely normal. Everyone heals differently, so your clinical team will guide you through each stage. As a general guide:
• First few days after implant surgery: soft foods and liquids while tenderness settles
• Healing period: implants usually take around 3 to 6 months to fuse with the jawbone, and you’ll usually wear a provisional denture during this time
• After your overdenture is fitted: it’s normal to take some time to adjust to chewing, speaking and clipping it in and out
• Ongoing: start with softer foods cut into smaller pieces, then gradually add firmer foods as your confidence grows
An overdenture may suit you if you:
• Struggle with loose or uncomfortable dentures
• Prefer a removable option that’s easy to clean
• Want more stability without the cost of a fixed full-arch bridge
Fixed All-on-4® teeth may be worth discussing if you:
• Want a bite that research shows can be closer to natural teeth
• Would love to enjoy firmer foods like steak and apples again
• Would prefer teeth that stay fixed in place
• Want no palate coverage on your upper teeth
How much improvement you notice may depend on the number of implants, the fit of your teeth, your jawbone, whether one or both jaws are treated, and your overall oral health. An experienced implant team can assess your situation and explain which option may suit you.
“The best outcomes are achieved when experience, innovation and genuine patient care come together. Every treatment plan should be tailored to the individual, with a focus on restoring not only their smile, but their confidence and quality of life.”
Dr Larry Benge, (DEN0001317881), Co-Founder and Lead All-on-4® Dental Surgeon, Next Smile Australia
If loose dentures are affecting your ability to eat comfortably or enjoy your favourite foods, implant-retained overdentures may provide the added stability you’re looking for.
Book a consultation with our experienced dental implant team to find out whether an implant-retained overdenture is the right solution for your smile.
Tender meats are often easier to manage with an implant overdenture than a traditional denture, because the denture moves less while you chew. Tougher cuts may still need to be cut into smaller pieces. If enjoying steak comfortably is a big priority, it’s worth also asking about fixed teeth, which research shows can offer a stronger bite.
Research has found complete dentures restore only around 11% of natural bite strength, and removable partial dentures around 35%. Implant overdentures and fixed implant bridges can restore considerably more.
Not usually. Studies show overdenture bite forces generally sit between conventional dentures and natural teeth. For suitable patients, fixed full-arch bridges such as All-on-4® have recorded bite forces comparable to natural teeth in research.
For many people, two implants can make a lower denture much more stable, and this approach is widely supported by research. Some people may benefit from more implant support. The right number is confirmed after a clinical assessment and scan.
Costs vary depending on the number of implants, materials and your clinical needs. At Next Smile Australia, overdentures start from $12,000 per arch. Pricing is indicative, and you can request a written, itemised quote before proceeding.
The implants are designed as a long-term foundation, while the removable denture part wears with use and may need maintenance or replacement after around 5 to 10 years, depending on the material and your aftercare. Regular check-ups help keep everything working well.
For more answers, see our overdenture FAQs.
References & Sources Cited:
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Oral health and dental care in Australia: Healthy mouths. AIHW, Australian Government, 2026.
2. Miyaura K, Morita M, Matsuka Y, Yamashita A, Watanabe T. Rehabilitation of biting abilities in patients with different types of dental prostheses. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2000;27:1073-1076.
3. Nitschke I, Moede C, Koenig A, Sobotta BAJ, Hopfenmüller W, Jockusch J. An evaluation of reference bite force values: investigating the relationship between dental prosthetic restoration and bite force. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(8):2723. doi:10.3390/jcm14082723
4. Ikebe K, Nokubi T, Morii K, Kashiwagi J, Furuya M. Association of bite force with ageing and occlusal support in older adults. Journal of Dentistry. 2005;33(2):131-137.
5. Sharma AJ, Nagrath R, Lahori M. A comparative evaluation of chewing efficiency, masticatory bite force, and patient satisfaction between conventional denture and implant-supported mandibular overdenture. Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society. 2017;17:361-372.
6. Rismanchian M, Bajoghli F, Mostajeran Z, Fazel A, Eshkevari P. Effect of implants on maximum bite force in edentulous patients. Journal of Oral Implantology. 2009;35:196-200.
7. Fontijn-Tekamp FA, Slagter AP, Van Der Bilt A, et al. Biting and chewing in overdentures, full dentures, and natural dentitions. Journal of Dental Research. 2000;79(7):1519-1524.
8. Do implant-supported prostheses affect bioavailability of nutrients of complete and partially edentulous patients? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Clinical Nutrition. 2021.
9. Feine JS, Carlsson GE, Awad MA, et al. The McGill Consensus Statement on Overdentures. Mandibular two-implant overdentures as first choice standard of care for edentulous patients. Gerodontology. 2002;19(1):3-4.
10. Fürhauser N, et al. Bite force after fixed full-arch implant rehabilitation (all-on-4) compared to complete dentures and dentate patients. Clinical Oral Implants Research. 2018;29(S17):365.
11. Soni R, Yadav H, Pathak A, Bhatnagar A, Kumar V. Comparative evaluation of biting force and chewing efficiency of all-on-four treatment concept with other treatment modalities in completely edentulous individuals. Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society. 2020;20(3):312-320.
12. Elsyad MA, et al. Within-patient evaluation of chewing efficiency and maximum bite force of conventional dentures, fixed prostheses, and milled bar overdentures used for All-on-4 implant rehabilitation. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2022;24(4):522-531.
13. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service.
Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. This article provides general information only. Suitability for any treatment is determined by clinical assessment, and individual results vary. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
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