Losing one or more teeth – whether through injury, disease, or aging can be upsetting. Not only do missing teeth change the appearance of your smile but they can cause difficulties with speaking and eating, knock your confidence and lead to bone deterioration in the jaw. What matters most for our patients is helping to restore a healthy smile by finding the best solution for their dental needs. Luckily, we offer two highly effective treatments for the replacement of missing teeth: dentures and dental implants.
But which one is the best choice for you? Dentures or implants?
While both options help patients to:
- Improve their clarity of speech
- Bite and chew their food
- Support their facial structures
- Restore the aesthetics of their smile
… they also have significant differences. Ultimately, the ideal solution for a patient often boils down to factors like budget, oral health, and even lifestyle preferences.
In this article, you’ll discover the differences between dentures and implants, learn about their benefits and disadvantages, and consider helpful statistics to give you a clearer understanding of what might work best for you. So, let’s dive in …
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable prostheses worn in the mouth to replace missing teeth. There are two main types:
- Partial – For patients missing one or more teeth
- Complete – For edentulous patients missing all their teeth in one or both jaws.
Dentures sit snugly over the gums and are made from various materials such as acrylic, plastic, metal or a combination of both.
Their pros include
- Affordability – Dentures offer a budget-friendly solution since they typically cost less than dental implants.
- Speedy treatment– Dentures can typically be made and fitted within a few weeks whereas it can take six months or more to complete a dental implant transformation
- Non-invasive – For patients wary of surgical procedures or medically unfit for surgery, dentures are an obvious choice.
- Suitable for patients with bone loss – Dentures remain a viable option for those who have experienced bone loss.
Cons
- Instability – Dentures can move or slip when speaking or eating, causing embarrassment and discomfort.
- Bone loss over time – Because dentures can’t stimulate the jawbone it can deteriorate over time leading to facial sagging.
- Daily maintenance – To prevent bacterial build-up, dentures need to be removed, cleaned and left to soak overnight.
- Shorter lifespan – Dentures will need replacing between 5 and 10 years due to wear or changes in gum structure.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are placed into the jawbone and act as artificial tooth roots. Made from titanium or zirconia, they fuse with the surrounding bone to become a fixed structure in the mouth capable of supporting a crown, bridge or denture.
Their pros include
- Long-lasting solution – With the proper care dental implants can last decades or a person’s lifetime.
- Maintains bone health – Since implants replace the tooth roots, they stimulate the bone to prevent bone resorption.
- Stays in place – Because implants are securely anchored into the jawbone, they remain in place at all times.
- Feel and look like natural teeth– Implants mimic natural teeth both in looks and function.
Cons
- Higher initial cost – The total cost of a dental implant including the implant, abutment and crown ranges from $3,100 to $5,800, whereas a full set of replacement teeth can cost considerably more.
- Surgical procedure – Dental implants involve a multi-step surgical procedure that can take up to 6 months or more to complete.
- Not for everyone – Patients with significant bone loss may require a bone graft first which adds time and money to the overall cost.
Knowing the pros and cons of each solution is useful when deciding between dentures or dental implants but we’ve also included some useful stats.
Statistics on dentures and dental implants
Dentures and age: According to the American Dental Association, approximately 57% of Americans aged between 65 to 74 wear dentures.
Implant success rate: A long-term clinical performance of 10,871 dental implants showed the survival rate at 3,5,10 and 15 years was 98.9%, 98.5%, 96.8%, and 94.0% respectively, making them one of the most reliable dental procedures available.
Implant failure: In a six-year retrospective observational survey relating to implant failure and associated risks, the most common cause of dental implant failure was peri-implantitis.
Dentures market growth: Between 2024 and 2032, the dentures market is projected to grow by $3 billion. This reflects a 7.10% rise, aligning with the increasing adoption of dentures among U.S. residents fuelled partly by an increasing geriatric population.
So, dentures or dental implants? Which option is right for you?
Now, that you’ve considered all the details, how do you decide between dentures and implants? Well, there are certain factors you may need to contemplate. These include:
Budget: If your choice is governed by cost then dentures might be the best solution for you. However, while dentures are cheaper initially, in the long run, dental implants can be more cost-effective due to their long-lasting durability.
Oral health: If you have healthy gums and a strong jawbone, dental implants are a better long-term solution. However, if you have significant bone loss, dentures could be your only option.
Lifestyle preference: If you want permanent, low-maintenance teeth, implants win hands-down. However, if you don’t mind a removable prosthesis, a denture is worth considering.
Time considerations – Want to restore your smile quickly? You could be wearing dentures in just a few weeks, whereas it may take six months or longer before your implants are complete.
Get expert advice from Mint Dental in Alaska
Still unsure whether dentures or implants are the right choice for you? Mint Dental in Anchorage, Alaska, is here to help!
At Mint Dental, our skilled dentists provide personalized consultations to help you make the best decision based on your budget, oral health, and lifestyle needs. Whether you’re interested in affordable dentures or long-lasting dental implants, we offer top-tier solutions tailored just for you. Call now at (907) 646 8672 to schedule a consultation or visit our website for more information.
