Objective To compare the effect of oral implant overdenture and complete denture in patients with dentition loss. Methods Atotal of 50 patients with dentition loss admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to February 2023 were selected as the research objects. They were divided into conventional group and experimental group by random number table method, with 25 patients in each group. The conventional group was treated with complete denture repair, and the experimental group was treated with oral implant overdenture. The alveolar ridge absorption, short-term retention effect, periodontal health status and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The alveolar ridge absorption of anterior and posterior teeth in the experimental group was lower than that in the conventional group (P <0.05). The total effective rate of short-term retention in the experimental group was 96.67%, which was higher than 93.33% in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). After treatment, PD, BI and AL in the experimental group were lower than those in the conventional group (P <0.05). The satisfaction scores of masticatory function, aesthetics and comfort in the experimental group were higher than those in the conventional group (P <0.05). Conclusion The short-term retention effect of oral implant overdenture and complete denture in the repair of dentition loss is better, but the former has better effect on alveolar ridge absorption and periodontal health status improvement, which can better meet the treatment needs of patients.