Anyone suffering the loss of one or more teeth knows that it affects more than just your smile – missing teeth have a direct impact on our ability to chew, our speech, and in the longer term on the health of remaining teeth and even the jawbone itself.
It’s no wonder that humans have been coming up with ways to replace them for thousands of years. Dentistry has come a long way, and modern techniques and materials have made tooth replacement more accessible, comfortable, and successful in the long term.
Up until the late 1990’s the most widely available option to replace multiple teeth has been removable dentures, or false teeth, which rest on the gums. In recent years however, dental implants, which are permanently anchored in the jawbone, have increasingly gained popularity with patients treating extensive tooth loss.
So, which one should you choose when you need to have teeth replaced? Understanding the difference between dental implants and dentures is important to know which option better suits your individual needs and preferences. We’ll go over key features and differences of both here to give you a clearer picture.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental Implants are permanent restorations used to replace damaged or missing teeth. They are custom-made to replicate the appearance, feel, and function of your natural teeth as much as possible, relying on one or more metal implant fixtures in the jawbone to support the replacement teeth above.
Over time, the implant fixtures fuse with the surrounding bone tissue, which not only supports the restoration but helps to maintain and preserve the health and integrity of the jawbone beneath.
Dental Implant Procedure
At the Advanced Dental Implant Center we specialize in making use of the latest technology and techniques available to ensure you get the best results. We’ll be describing the method for “same-day” restorations here, which eliminate the wait between implant surgery and attachment of the visible replacement.
The process begins with a thorough evaluation of your dental profile and oral health, which is used to plan the position of the implant fixtures and design an initial restoration.
The implant fixtures are surgically inserted into the jawbone, and a custom-made connective piece, called an abutment, is attached to each one to support the replacement teeth. A provisional restoration is fixed immediately after the implant surgery, ensuring you are able to leave with a fully functional set of teeth already in place.
Over the next 3-6 months the implant fixtures integrate into the surrounding bone, resulting in slight changes in your dental profile. Once this process is complete your dental specialist can take measurements to design and fit the final restoration.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Permanent solution
- Highly customizable
- Natural feel and fit
- Jawbone preservation
Drawbacks of Dental Implants
- Surgical procedure
- Higher initial investment
- Bone density requirements
- Potentially longer timeframe
What are Dentures?
Dentures are removable restorations to replace some or all of the teeth that can rest on the gums or clip onto the palate.
Full dentures replace all the teeth in one arch. They usually rest on or over the gums and are held in place by a special adhesive. Partial dentures replace multiple missing teeth in the same arch and are held in place by a framework or plate that clips around the remaining teeth.
Denture Procedure
Once any remaining teeth or roots from the affected area have been extracted, and the surrounding gums and jawbone have had time to heal, your dental specialist will take measurements and impressions to prepare a model of your mouth. This is used to prepare a mock-up denture for your first fitting, where your specialist takes note of any adjustments needed for the final denture.
As you get used to the denture and your mouth adjusts, you may require follow-up adjustments to improve bite distribution, comfort, and fit.
Benefits of Dentures
- More affordable
- Non-surgical
- No bone density requirements
Drawbacks of Dentures
- Can come loose
- Must be taken out at night
- Increased risk of infection
- Reduced bite force
- Require regular maintenance
Differences Between Dental Implants and Dentures
It may seem at first that traditional dentures and dental implants accomplish much the same outcomes: they restore the appearance of missing or damaged teeth, improve chewing and speech capabilities, and prevent the remaining natural teeth from moving out of position. However, the extent to which they achieve these outcomes can differ considerably, as do the treatments themselves.
| Full Dentures | Full Dental Implants | |
| System | Rest on gums or clip into palate | Anchored in jawbone |
| Comfort and Usage | Can cause discomfort or come loose, need to be taken out at night | Feel and fit like natural teeth, fixed in place |
| Functionality | Reduced bite strength | Closer to natural bite strength |
| Durability | 5 – 10 years | 20 years – lifelong |
| Procedure | Non-surgical | Surgical implantation |
| Timeline | 6 weeks from impressions to finished denture | 1 day for provisional restoration, 3-6 months for final restoration |
| Maintenance and care | Specialized daily cleaning, occasional adjustments | Regular dental hygiene routine, checkups |
| Impact on jawbone | Minimal interaction with jawbone | Stimulation of jawbone contributes to bone health |
| Cost | Full Denture (1 arch): $1000 – $4000 | Full Arch (All-on-Four): $15000 – $30 000 |
Implant or Denture: Which is Better for You?
There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when deciding on tooth replacement options, but the basis for any treatment plan should come from a thorough consultation with a professional. At the Advanced Dental Implant Center your initial assessment is at no cost and takes place with one of our experienced dental specialists to enable you to make a well-informed choice. These are some of the key concerns that your specialist will factor into their advice.
Objectives
A lot of enquiries about full dental implants come from patients that find their traditional denture to be inconvenient or embarrassing and are looking for a more permanent, natural-seeming solution.
Because dental implants support bone density, they help prevent the loss of structure to the jawbone that can result from tooth loss. For patients who have begun to experience tooth loss implants can offer a means of preserving the health of their remaining natural teeth.
Oral Health
Since dental implants are fixed in the jawbone, the amount of bone available and density of the bone can be a limitation for some. Pre-treatment may be necessary in such cases to improve the success of implant integration.
On the other hand, bone loss also makes it harder for traditional dentures to adhere properly to the gums, increasing the risk of movement when the wearer is eating or speaking. An implant-supported restoration may be a more effective solution in that situation.
Budget
The cost of both dentures and dental implants can be affected by the number of teeth to be replaced, additional treatments required, and the expertise and location of the clinic carrying out the procedure. If you have dental insurance, you might find they cover some or all of the costs of the treatment.
Although the initial expense for dental implants is greater than that of dentures, many patients view it as a long-term investment in their oral health, and there are a number of financing options available to help break the cost into manageable payments.
Lifestyle and preferences
Aside from the long-term benefits that dental implants provide for oral health, one of their biggest advantages over dentures is that they don’t come out. This makes them a popular choice with those seeking a permanent, hassle-free tooth replacement solution.
The fact that dental implants involve surgery can be an obstacle for some people, either by preference or because of medical limitations. In that case your specialist will explore non-surgical options like dentures.
Next Steps
Now that you have a clearer idea of the differences between dental implants and dentures take the next steps towards preserving your smile by booking a consultation with an expert.
Get in touch with us at Advanced Dental Implant Center for an expert assessment at no cost and let us guide you through your tooth-replacement journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, implants or dentures?
If available, dental implants are preferred as a more permanent, comfortable, and integrated tooth replacement solution than traditional dentures.
Why choose implants over dentures?
Unlike dentures, dental implants are fixed permanently in place, and provide a more secure, natural-feeling replacement for missing teeth. In addition, because dental implants integrate into the jawbone they simulate the pressure a natural tooth would put on the jaw, which helps support long-term dental health.
Why do dentists discourage dentures?
Dentures significantly reduce bite force and do not stimulate the jawbone below, which can lead to loss of bone density with further impacts on the jaw and remaining teeth.
What is the lifespan of a dental implant?
Dental implants are made to last for 20 years or more, and with good care can last a lifetime.
