Teeth Choices: Dentures and Dental Implants
Do you need new teeth? You have two main choices – dentures or dental implants. Let’s look at both!
Table of Contents
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are fake teeth you can take out. You put them in your mouth when you need them.
There are two kinds:
- Full dentures – for all teeth
- Partial dentures – for some teeth
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal posts put into your jaw. They hold fake teeth that stay in your mouth all the time.
Quick Look at Both
| What to Know | Dentures | Dental Implants |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1,500-$3,500 for all teeth | $3,000-$6,000+ for one tooth |
| How Long to Get | 3-6 weeks | 3-12 months (with healing time) |
| How Long They Last | 5-10 years | 20+ years (with good care) |
| Care Needed | Take out, clean, use glue | Brush and floss like real teeth |
| Jaw Bone | Can make jaw bone get smaller | Keeps jaw bone healthy |
| Best For | If you want less cost, lost all teeth | If you want long-term fix |
Good Things About Dentures
1. Less Cost
Dentures cost less money. A full set is about $1,500-$3,500.
2. No Surgery
You don’t need any cutting for dentures.
3. Fast Fix
You can get dentures in just a few weeks. Some immediate dentures can be put in right after your teeth come out.
4. Works for Most
Almost anyone can get dentures, even if you have health problems.
5. Easy to Fix
If dentures break, they are easy to fix.
Not-So-Good Things About Dentures
1. Bone Loss
Dentures don’t stop your jaw bone from getting smaller. Your face might look older over time.
2. Lots of Care
You must:
- Take them out at night
- Clean them every day
- Use denture adhesives
- Put them in special water
3. May Hurt or Move
Dentures can:
- Slip when you talk or eat
- Cause gum sores
- Make it hard to taste food
- Make some words hard to say
4. Need New Ones
You need new dentures every 5-10 years and relining every 3-6 years.
5. Food Limits
Hard or sticky foods can be hard to eat with removable dentures.
Good Things About Dental Implants
1. Feel Real
Dental implants feel and work like real teeth. You can eat all foods.
2. Keep Bone Healthy
The titanium posts help your jaw bone stay strong through a process called osseointegration.
3. Last a Long Time
Implants can last 20+ years or even your whole life. They have a 95% success rate over 10+ years.
4. Easy Care
Just brush and floss like real teeth. No need for:
- Denture adhesives
- Taking them out
- Special cleaners
5. Look Good
Implants look most like real teeth and keep your face shape the same.
Not-So-Good Things About Dental Implants
1. High Cost
Implants cost $3,000-$6,000+ for just one tooth. Most insurance won’t pay for them. [^8]
2. Need Surgery
You need surgery to put the implants in your jaw bone. Some need bone grafting first.
3. Takes Time
The whole process takes 3-12 months. Your jaw needs time to heal around the implant.
4. Not For Everyone
You need:
- Good bone density
- Healthy gums
- Good health (some problems like diabetes or smoking can cause issues)
5. Can Fail
Though rare, implants can get infected or not join with the bone right.
Who Should Choose Dentures?
Dentures might be best if you:
- Lost all or most teeth
- Have a small budget
- Can’t have surgery due to health
- Need teeth right away
- Have weak jaw bones
- Want to try teeth before getting implants
Real Story: Mary, age 72, chose complete dentures because her insurance covered them. She says, “I take them out at night, but they work fine for me. The cost was what mattered most.”
Who Should Choose Implants?
Dental implants might be best if you:
- Lost one or a few teeth
- Want a long-term fix
- Have good jaw bone or can get bone grafting
- Can wait for the full process
- Want to avoid denture adhesives and taking teeth out
Real Story: John, age 58, got implants for his bottom front teeth. He says, “They cost more, but I forget they’re not my real teeth. Best choice I made.”
Mix of Both: Implant-Supported Dentures
Did you know you can get both? Implant-supported dentures use a few implants to hold a full set of teeth.
Types include:
- All-on-4® – four implants hold all teeth
- Snap-in overdentures – dentures click onto implants
- Mini dental implants – smaller posts for less bone
These cost about $15,000-$30,000 per full arch (top or bottom).
Cost Over Time
Let’s look at 10-year costs:
| Type | First Cost | 10-Year Care | Total 10-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Dentures | $3,000 | $2,000+ | $5,000+ |
| One Implant | $5,000 | $500 | $5,500 |
| All-on-4® | $25,000 | $1,000 | $26,000 |
Dental implants cost more at first but may save money over many years.
Questions People Ask
Do implants hurt?
The surgery uses numbing. Most people say it hurts less than having a tooth pulled. After, you may have some pain for a few days.
Can I eat with dentures?
Yes, but start with soft food. Avoid very hard or sticky foods. Cut food into small bits. It takes time to learn to eat with dentures.
Does insurance pay for implants?
Most basic plans don’t. Some dental insurance may pay part. Ask about Delta Dental® or MetLife® plans that help with implants.
Can older people get implants?
Yes! Age does not matter as long as you are healthy enough for minor surgery. Many people in their 80s and 90s get dental implants.
How long do I wait for teeth?
Yes, today’s dentures can look very real. Custom dentures cost more but look more like your real teeth.
How long do I wait for teeth?
The best step is to talk to a tooth doctor called a prosthodontist. They can:
Check your mouth
See if you need bone grafting
Tell you all costs
Show what your new teeth will look like
Taking Care of Your Choice
Denture Care:
- Take out and rinse after eating
- Brush daily with soft brush
- Soak in denture cleaner at night
- See the dentist if they feel loose
Implant Care:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss daily
- See dentist twice a year
- Avoid hard candy and ice
New Options to Know About
- Digital dentures – made by computers for better fit
- Zirconia implants – white posts for people with metal allergies
- Same-day implants – get teeth in a day with new methods
- Mini implants – smaller and less cost, good for holding dentures
Final Thoughts
When choosing dentures or dental implants, think about:
- How much money you can spend
- How long you want teeth to last
- If you can have surgery
- If you mind taking teeth out
Both can give you a nice smile and help you eat. The best choice is what works for YOUR needs.
Talk to your dentist about implant-supported dentures too – they might be the perfect middle choice!
Key Terms to Know
- Removable dentures – fake teeth you can take out
- Fixed dental implants – fake teeth that stay in
- Implant-supported dentures – dentures held by implants
- Full vs. partial dentures – for all teeth or just some
- All-on-4 implants – four posts hold all teeth
- Bone grafting – adding bone for implants
- Denture adhesives – glue for dentures
- Titanium posts – metal used for implants
- Osseointegration – how bone grows around implants
- Acrylic resin – plastic used for dentures
