Dentures vs Implants: Which Option is Right for You?
Losing teeth affects far more than just your smile; it changes how you eat, speak, and feel about yourself in everyday situations. At Paramount Implant Center, we’ve seen the challenges our patients face after tooth loss, and we’re here to help you find a replacement solution that fits your life.
When you’re missing teeth, you have choices. Dentures and dental implants are the two main options most of our patients consider. Both will bring back your smile and make daily life easier, but they’re pretty different in how they work, what they cost, and what it’s like to live with them.
Let’s take a closer look at how these options differ so you can decide which path makes the most sense for your situation.
Dental Implants vs Dentures
Picking between implants vs dentures isn’t a small choice — it’s one you’ll live with every day. Your decision will likely depend on things like how healthy your mouth is now, what you can afford, your daily habits, and what matters most to you personally.
While both solutions replace missing teeth, they work in completely different ways. Knowing how they differ is important for finding the best option that’ll fit into your life and meet your expectations.
Dental Implants
Think of dental implants as new roots for your missing teeth. They’re small titanium posts that get placed into your jawbone during a surgical procedure. Over time, usually within a few months, your bone grows around these posts (osseointegration), creating a solid anchor for your new teeth.
First, we place the titanium post in your jawbone. Then we wait usually 3-6 months while your body does the important work of integrating the implant. After that, we attach a connector piece called an abutment, and finally, we add the crown, which is the part that looks like a tooth and that people actually see when you smile.
Benefits
Implants are better than dentures for some of our patients, and they have many benefits that make them a popular choice for tooth replacement:
- Natural look and feel: Dental implants closely mimic your natural teeth and both their appearance and function.
- Bone preservation: Unlike dentures, implants stimulate your jawbone, preventing the bone loss that usually occurs after tooth loss.
- Stability and security: You won’t have to worry about your teeth shifting or slipping while you eat or speak because implants are permanently fixed in your mouth.
- Longevity: Implants can last your entire lifetime with proper care, making them worth the investment.
- No dietary restrictions: You can enjoy all of your favorite foods without concerns, as implants are like natural teeth.
- Easy maintenance: Caring for implants is simple — just brush and floss as you would with your natural teeth.
Drawbacks
Despite their many benefits, implants may not be suitable for everyone:
- Higher upfront cost: Implants usually require a larger initial investment compared to dentures.
- Surgical procedure: Getting implants involves surgery, which might not be best if you have certain health conditions.
- Time commitment: The entire process can take several months from start to finish.
- Bone density requirements: You need adequate jawbone density to support implants, and some patients may require bone grafting procedures.
Dentures
Dentures are removable teeth replacements that sit on your gums. They’re custom-made to look like natural teeth and come in two main types — partial dentures, for when you’re missing just some teeth, and full dentures, for when you’ve lost all teeth on your upper or lower jaw.
Getting dentures starts with removing any damaged teeth that need to go. Then we take detailed impressions of your mouth, kind of like making a map of your gums and any remaining teeth. Our lab uses these impressions to create dentures specifically for your mouth shape.
Once they’re ready, you’ll come in for a fitting and we’ll adjust to make sure they feel as comfortable as possible. We might need a few follow-up appointments to get the fit right.
Benefits
There are many benefits of dentures vs implants that might make them a better option:
- Lower initial cost: Dentures are generally more affordable upfront compared to implants.
- No surgery required: Getting dentures doesn’t involve surgical procedures, making them a good option if you can’t undergo surgery.
- Quick results: You can get dentures relatively quickly — sometimes within a few weeks.
- Sufficient if you have bone loss: Dentures can be an option even if you have bone loss in your jaw.
- Adjustable: Dentures can be relined or adjusted as your mouth changes over time.
Drawbacks
There are some drawbacks when it comes to dentures:
- Dentures can slip: Traditional dentures might slip or move while eating or speaking, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable.
- Can’t taste as well: Full upper dentures cover the roof of your mouth, which can affect your ability to fully taste food.
- Lots of maintenance: Dentures need to be removed and cleaned daily, and they should be soaked overnight.
- Replacement necessary: They typically need to be replaced every 5-7 years as your mouth changes shape and the dentures wear down.
- Bone loss: Without stimulation from tooth roots, your jawbone may continue to deteriorate over time, changing the fit of your dentures.
- Dietary adjustments: You might need to avoid certain hard or sticky foods that could damage or dislodge your dentures.
Dentures vs Implants: FAQs
What looks more natural, dentures or implants?
Implants tend to look more natural because they emerge from your gums like real teeth and the crowns match your natural teeth perfectly in color and shape. Modern dentures look convincing too, but since they sit on your gums rather than growing from them, and can sometimes move, implants have the edge for natural appearance.
Is there a downside to dental implants?
The main downsides are cost and time, as implants require a significant investment, and the process takes several months. Not everyone qualifies for implants, especially if you have certain health conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or you’re a heavy smoker. Some patients also need additional procedures like bone grafting first, adding to the cost and time.
Is it easier to eat with implants than dentures?
Definitely. Implants give you a much higher natural biting force compared to dentures. With implants, you can bite into apples, steaks, or nuts without worrying about your teeth shifting.
But denture wearers often need to cut food into smaller pieces and avoid certain foods altogether, and many patients tell us that simply eating normally again is what makes implants worth the investment.
Final Thoughts on Teeth Implants vs Dentures
When comparing dentures vs implants cost, consider the long view. Implants cost more upfront but can last a lifetime. Dentures cost less initially but require ongoing adjustments and eventual replacement.
At Paramount Implant Center, we’ll help you find the right solution for your situation, lifestyle, and budget. We also offer middle options like implant-supported dentures that provide more stability than regular dentures at a lower cost than full implants.