Both dentures and implants can go a long way towards improving the quality of life for seniors who have lost some or all of their teeth to aging, disease, or injury. They both have the ability to improve facial structure, make chewing foods easier, and boost confidence by providing individuals with the appearance of natural teeth.
How are dentures and implants different?
Although they achieve a similar goal, certain characteristics of dentures and implants set them apart from each other.
Dentures
- Removable: Dentures can be taken out at any point in time, and they are actually supposed to be removed and cleaned on a routine basis to keep them in good shape
- Preparation: What are dentures? Or, more specifically, how are they made? To create a set of custom dentures, a dentist must take impressions of your mouth and any existing teeth. The dentures will then be made based on these impressions, ensuring that they are a good fit for your mouth. Once they are completed, you can start wearing them immediately.
Implants
- Permanent: As their name suggests, implants are quite literally implanted into your gums- meaning that they cannot easily be removed. This can be convenient in some respects, including a simpler cleaning routine compared to braces, but it is important to keep this permanence in mind when weighing your options between dentures and implants.
- Preparation: What are dental implants, and how are they placed? Before implants can be placed in your mouth, metal posts must be drilled into the jawbone to act as artificial “roots” for the implants. Following the placement of these metal posts, the patient must wait for new bone growth around the posts before the actual “teeth” part of the implants can be put in.
Dentures vs Implants Cost
The difference in cost between dental implants vs dentures is an important factor to take into consideration when deciding which treatment option would be the best for you. Implants are the more costly of the two procedures, largely due to the fact that they involve a more invasive procedure for placement. But the difference between dental implants vs dentures cost can also differ based upon the number of teeth that are being replaced– it might be worth it to pay for something more expensive if you are only replacing half of your teeth as opposed to the teeth on both the upper and lower jaw.
Dentures vs Implants Pros and Cons
Looking at a basic list of dental implants vs dentures pros and cons is a simple way of helping make the decision of whether dentures or dental implants would be the right decision for you.
Dentures
PROS
- More affordable
- Quicker timeline to final product
- Non-invasive
CONS
- Higher maintenance
- Reduced chewing ability compared to implants
Implants
PROS
- Improved chewing ability
- More or less routine daily dental care
CONS
- Significantly higher cost
- Requires an invasive procedure
- Longer duration of time to get to final product.
Choosing between dentures and implants: which is right for you?
If you’re beyond looking for answers to how to save loose teeth and are instead dealing with the aftermath, dentures and implants are both common next steps. The pros and cons list presents a simplified way to look at implants vs dentures, but the factors involved in choosing which is the ideal option for you are slightly more complex than such a list can reasonably include.
Dental case
First and foremost, the complexity of the dental case at hand is a large factor in determining whether dentures or implants would be the better option. Implants require that you have enough structurally intact bone remaining in your jaw to be installed; otherwise, dentures might be your only option. Additionally, implants might be a more reasonable choice if only a couple of teeth need to be replaced or if extensive gum recession has taken place.
Price
Next up for factors to look at is dentures vs implants cost. One of the primary reasons implants would be a more reasonable choice if only a couple of teeth need to be replaced is the significantly higher cost compared to dentures. If you only need a couple of implants put in, that might be worth a more expensive procedure. On the flip side, dentures are quite a bit more affordable than implants, making them an appealing and viable option for a larger number of people.
Age
Implants are the most likely to appeal to those who lose their teeth earlier in life and will subsequently need artificial teeth for decades to come. Since they are an invasive and expensive procedure, older individuals may choose to forego the hassle and opt for dentures instead.
FAQ
Dentures are not inherently safer than implants. They do not require an extensive procedure for installation, which slightly lessens the chance of infection. Still, aside from this, implants and dentures are essentially equivalent in terms of their safety.
Both implants and dentures can be covered by some form of medical or dental insurance. But issuing a blanket statement for insurance coverage is not 100% possible, so you should always be sure to double-check what is included in your specific insurance plan.
Yes, it is possible to have both dentures and implants- there are several possible ways in which these options can be combined depending on the individual case.
As long as they are taken care of appropriately, dental implants can last for about 25 years.
Dental implants can accomplish the same end goal as dentures, replacing the natural teeth, so yes, in this sense, dental implants can replace dentures.
I’m 81 years old and in very good health, except for my teeth. I’ve had a lot of peridontal work done over the years and am currently missing 7 of my upper teeth. I have a few teeth that are loose and some that need a root canal. My dentist feels I have enough bone for implants but I’m concerned that it may not be true. Also if I have my remaining teeth pulled and a full implant is put in place, I’m afraid of the pain and the possibility of my gums rejecting the implants. I’ve read the above information, but I’m still having a difficult time making a decision. Have you heard of this procedure and what is your opinion.