Dentures vs Dental Implants: A Comprehensive Guide

About one in five adults by age 65 have lost all of their teeth, making dentures and dental implants a growing industry and standard practice.

If you're one of the Americans that have lost more than the average, you may be considering the differences between dentures vs. dental implants. It's a tough decision to make, but we're here to help you!

Before you go to the dentist and decide which tooth replacement option is right for you, be sure you understand these main differences. Keep reading!

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are fake teeth attached to an acrylic resin on a pinkish-colored plate. These adhere to your gums using suction and help you eat and talk regularly. There are complete dentures that replace all of your teeth and partial dentures if you still have some teeth left.

These need to be taken out every night and soaked to stay clean. There are also permanent dentures that aren't removable and can be installed directly into your mouth.

Dentures are a good option for people who have lost many teeth or aren't a candidate for dental implants due to their jaw.

What Are the Dentures Costs?

When it comes to the cost, dentures can vary in cost between $800 to $1,500 for a complete set of removable dentures. If you only need upper or lower dentures and not the entire mouth, your cost will be closer to $800. 

If you decide to go the route of permanent implants, the cost will be much higher—these range from $6,000 up to $30,000. 

How Do Dentures Function?

If you're missing all of your teeth, you'll need a complete set of dentures to replace them. These stay in place by using natural suction and shouldn't move or shift when you eat and talk. However, as time goes on, your jaw bone will change shape and can happen even faster if you don't have any roots in your bone to keep the structure strong.

When this happens, you can use denture glue to keep them in place, but this isn't the best solution. The best thing to do is see your dentist and have them fit you for a new set of dentures, so you get the best use of them.

When you're only missing some teeth, then you should get partial dentures done. These have clips that attach to your natural teeth and keep them in place while you eat and talk like usual.

What Are Dental Implants?

When it comes to replacing a tooth, the most common method we recommend is a dental implant. A dental implant acts like a natural tooth and looks flawless against your other teeth. They are made up of three parts:

1. The post, or screw
2. The abutment
3. A crown

A dental implant is also a preferred method because it helps preserve your jaw structure and prevent any bone loss leading to atrophy.

What Are the Dental Implants Costs?

When looking at dental implant costs, expect to pay between $1,500 to $6,000 for just one tooth. If you need your entire mouth done, you're looking at $40,000.

To help save money, you can also use all-on-4s, which is a type of implant-supported dentures that cost around $15,000 per arch. You can also look at min-implants, and they can cost up to 70% less than regular dental implants since they use fewer materials and are easy to execute.

While this cost is much higher than dentures, they can still be the best option for function and longevity.

How Do Dental Implants Function?

The three parts of the dental implant work together to make it feel like you never lost a tooth at all. There is only one visible part of the implant called the crown.

When the dentist fits you for your crown, they will color-match it to the rest of your teeth. Even if it's a front tooth, you won't be able to notice it.

Dental implants function as a natural tooth would, and you would treat it the same as well. These are ideal when you're only missing one or a few teeth, and after time you won't even notice a difference in the teeth.

Which Is Right for Me?

When looking at dentures vs. dental implants, you have to take into consideration your specific needs. Do you have the money to cover $40,000 if you need a full mouth of dental implants? You also need to consider the lifetime of dentures vs. dental implants.

Dental implants will last at least ten years, and with good oral hygiene, regular dentist visits and proper care can last a lifetime. On the other hand, Dentures are more likely to get cracks and tend to have more wear and tear. They also can lose shape over time, making you have to go back and get them redone.

Dentures typically last up to five years and can last longer with the proper care. Be sure to regularly visit your dentist for your dentures so you can be as comfortable as possible with them.

Make the Decision: Dentures vs. Dental Implants

Now that you know the differences between dentures vs. dental implants, it's time to make your decision! If you can afford it, definitely choose a dental implant. If money is tight, or your jawbone can't support implants, dentures are the right option for you.

If you're ready to get your smile back, schedule an appointment today! We've been helping people just like you in the Cicero, IL area for years, and we can't wait to help you too.