Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing a missing tooth, but at $3,000–$5,000 per tooth, they’re out of reach for many Calgarians — and CDCP doesn’t cover them. What the plan does cover is a set of real, clinically valid options that can restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile without the implant price tag.
This guide outlines every CDCP-covered alternative for missing teeth, how each option works, and when each one makes the most sense — so you can have an informed conversation with your Calgary dentist before treatment begins.
Why Missing Teeth Need to Be Addressed
Leaving a gap in your mouth isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Within the first year of tooth loss, the jawbone beneath the empty socket begins to resorb (shrink) because it no longer has a root providing stimulation. Adjacent teeth drift toward the gap, altering your bite. The opposing tooth can begin to over-erupt (shift downward or upward into the space).
The longer a gap is left untreated, the more complex and expensive the solution becomes. Addressing a missing tooth early — even with a covered option — protects the rest of your mouth.
CDCP-Covered Options for Missing Teeth
1. Conventional Full Dentures
Best for: Patients who have lost all teeth in the upper arch, lower arch, or both
Full (complete) dentures are custom-made acrylic appliances that replace an entire arch of missing teeth. They rest on the gum tissue and are removed for cleaning.
What CDCP covers:
- Full upper denture
- Full lower denture
- Both arches if needed
- Denture adjustments and relines within the plan’s schedule
What to expect: Dentures require an adjustment period of several weeks. Chewing efficiency is lower than natural teeth or implants, but modern dentures fit well and look natural when properly made.
At Millrise Dental: We take detailed impressions and conduct multiple fitting appointments to ensure the best possible fit before final delivery.
2. Partial Dentures
Best for: Patients missing several teeth in the same arch but retaining some natural teeth
A partial denture fills the gaps left by multiple missing teeth while attaching to the remaining natural teeth with clasps. Like full dentures, they are removable.
What CDCP covers:
- Acrylic (all-plastic) partial dentures
- Some cast metal framework partials, depending on the specific benefit schedule and clinical justification
Key advantage over full dentures: Because your remaining teeth anchor the partial, it tends to feel more stable and chew more effectively than a full denture on its own.
Important: The natural teeth acting as anchors need to be in reasonable health. If they have decay or gum disease, those issues need to be addressed first — and CDCP covers those restorative services too.
3. Extractions (To Prepare for Replacement)
If you have a failing tooth — one that cannot be saved with a filling or root canal — CDCP covers the extraction. This is often the first step in a broader tooth replacement plan.
What CDCP covers:
- Simple extractions
- Surgical extractions (for impacted or complex cases) with prior authorization in some circumstances
After extraction, the socket heals over approximately 8–12 weeks. Once healed, a denture or partial can be fitted over the site.
4. Immediate Dentures
In some cases, a denture can be placed immediately after extraction — the same appointment — so you don’t go without teeth during the healing period. Whether CDCP covers the full cost of an immediate denture, or whether you pay partially out of pocket, depends on your specific benefit schedule and plan year.
Ask your Millrise Dental provider to check your Sun Life benefit schedule before treatment so you know your costs upfront.
5. Denture Repairs, Relines, and Rebases
Often overlooked but important: if you already have dentures that fit poorly or are damaged, CDCP covers:
- Repairs — broken teeth, fractured base
- Relines — resurfacing the denture base to fit your changed gum contours
- Rebases — replacing the entire base while keeping the existing teeth
Ill-fitting dentures cause sore spots, affect chewing, and can accelerate bone loss. Getting them adjusted is both covered and clinically important.
What About Bridges? A Note on Conventional Bridgework
A conventional dental bridge spans a gap using the adjacent teeth as anchors, with a false tooth (pontic) suspended between two crowns cemented onto the neighbouring teeth.
CDCP coverage for bridges is limited. Basic bridgework may be covered in specific clinical circumstances, but this is not standard coverage for all missing teeth cases. Coverage depends on the tooth position, clinical necessity, and your plan’s specific benefit schedule. Ask your dentist to verify your coverage before choosing a bridge over a denture.
Comparing Your CDCP-Covered Options
| Option | CDCP Covered | Removable | Teeth Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full denture | Yes | Yes | None remaining | Total tooth loss in an arch |
| Partial denture | Yes | Yes | Some remaining | Multiple missing teeth |
| Extraction | Yes | N/A | N/A | Failing teeth needing removal |
| Denture repair/reline | Yes | Yes | N/A | Existing ill-fitting dentures |
| Implant | No | No | None needed | Single or multiple tooth replacement |
| Orthodontics | No | No/Yes | All/most | Alignment issues |
Implants vs. Dentures: Helping You Choose
CDCP may not cover implants, but that doesn’t mean dentures are always the inferior choice. Here’s an honest comparison:
Dentures (covered by CDCP):
- Lower upfront cost — often fully or substantially covered
- No surgery required
- Good option for patients with bone loss, health conditions that complicate surgery, or those needing full-arch replacement
- Require daily removal and cleaning
- May need replacement every 5–10 years as gum contours change
Implants (not covered by CDCP):
- Prevent bone loss by stimulating the jawbone
- Feel and function like natural teeth
- Permanent — no removal required
- Higher upfront cost ($3,000–$5,000+ per tooth)
- Require sufficient bone density and a surgical procedure
At Millrise Dental, we won’t push you toward the more expensive option. We’ll explain both paths honestly and help you choose based on your oral health, budget, and lifestyle — not what’s most profitable.
How to Get Started at Millrise Dental
- Book a comprehensive exam — covered under CDCP — so we can assess the missing tooth site, remaining teeth, and bone levels
- Review your options — we’ll identify every covered option and any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins
- Check your CDCP benefit schedule — we can verify your Sun Life coverage on your behalf at the time of your appointment
- Start treatment — most denture cases take 4–6 appointments over several weeks
We’re open Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays **8 a.m. to 3 p.m.**, steps from Fish Creek LRT. Our multilingual team (English, French, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Tagalog, Spanish, Hindi, Japanese) makes it easy to discuss your options in the language you’re most comfortable with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CDCP cover dentures for seniors in Calgary? Yes. There is no age limit for CDCP denture coverage. Any eligible CDCP member — regardless of age — can access denture benefits within the plan’s schedule. Seniors who have experienced significant tooth loss are among the patients who benefit most from CDCP denture coverage.
How often will CDCP cover new dentures? The CDCP schedule typically allows for a replacement denture after a defined number of years (often 5–7 years). Check your Sun Life member portal for the exact replacement frequency for your plan.
**My partial denture clasps are breaking my remaining teeth. Is there a CDCP-covered alternative?** Poor-fitting partials can stress and damage anchor teeth over time. This is worth discussing with your dentist — options include refitting, adjusting the clasps, or if the anchor teeth are failing, a transition to a full denture may be the better long-term plan. Millrise Dental can assess this at a CDCP-covered exam.
Can I switch from a denture to an implant later? Yes. Starting with a CDCP-covered denture doesn’t lock you out of implants down the road. The denture protects the space and helps maintain some gum tissue while you save for implants. Note that prolonged denture use can lead to bone loss, which may require bone grafting before implants — another factor to discuss with your dentist.
Does CDCP cover the exam and X-rays needed before getting dentures? Yes. Diagnostic services including exams and X-rays are covered under CDCP and are a standard part of the initial assessment for any tooth replacement plan.
Book a CDCP Consultation for Missing Teeth
If you’re missing one or more teeth and want to understand your options under CDCP, start with an exam. We’ll tell you exactly what’s covered, what it will cost, and what we’d recommend — with no pressure and no surprises.
Millrise Dental Clinic #15, 15 Millrise Blvd SW, Calgary, AB T2Y 1X7 📞 403-254-0406 ⏰ Mon–Thu: 7 AM – 7 PM | Fri: 7 AM – 3 PM | Sat: 8 AM – 3 PM
