It’s embarrassing when you can’t live like everyone else due to missing teeth. We often take chewing regular foods and speaking normally for granted until the dentist says they have to pull 1 or all of our teeth.
Or when you rely on denture adhesive to get you through a family function or work meeting.
Oral experts often recommend dentures and implants as solutions to give your brilliant smile and life back.
However, you may not know how much they cost and what long-term maintenance is involved. It’s also possible you’ve never heard of implants.
Regardless, it doesn’t make sense spending thousands on a dental solution that leaves you feeling hopeless.
Take a look at the pros and cons of dentures and implants, along with the specifics of each. That way, you can make the right choice and have peace of mind the next time you see family or coworkers.
What are dentures?
Most people have heard of dentures, which are a set of false teeth you place inside the mouth. Replacing missing teeth, they help you retain normalcy as you eat, play, and enjoy life.
And partial dentures compensate the void of several missing teeth instead of the entire upper and lower regions.
Dental offices in Arizona carry partial and full dentures that can replace some or all your teeth.
However, most people complain they don’t feel like existing teeth and give you a mouth full of ugly gums to see in the mirror when you take them out to clean.
A dental expert takes an accurate mold of your teeth with advanced 3-D technology. This creates the perfect fit for custom dentures and does not cause any pain (except for removal of damaged teeth beforehand).
What are implants?
Dental implants may not be an oral health solution you’ve heard of if you’ve grown up only knowing about dentures. They are permanent tooth replicas that match your current set and can last the rest of your lifetime.
A dental expert first drills an implant into the jawbone and allows your facial structure to heal. Then, they attach a titanium abutment to the implant as the site for the tooth replica (known as a crown).
Initial pushback against implants comes from being more expensive than dentures. However, patients marvel at how they feel and chew like normal teeth without the fear of them falling out.
Pros & Cons of Dentures & Implants
Overall, dentures and dental implants have pros and cons that determine whether you should get one over the other.
Our team understands you may be concerned about budget, especially with procedures and upfront costs. But we encourage you to factor in future maintenance, durability, and other factors that drive up the price.
The best dental solutions consider your lifelong oral health and preventive work at an affordable cost.
| Dentures | Implants |
| Deteriorates jawbone structure and face | Protects remaining jawbone structure and face |
| Don’t feel like real teeth | Perform and feel like regular teeth |
| Create discomfort by slipping and moving around | Attached to jaw; comfortable fit |
| Most need adhesives and creams | Adhesives and creams not needed |
| Restrict normal chewing | Restores normal chewing |
| May need to remake or reline | Last a lifetime |
| Remove for daily cleaning | Regular hygiene care |
| Less expensive | More expensive |
Maintenance of Implants vs. Dentures
The great news about implant maintenance is you won’t have to do anything different from your regular teeth. Simply floss, brush, and rinse with mouthwash to keep a beautiful smile.
We also recommend getting 6-month to yearly check-ups with a dental professional to ensure your overall oral health is progressing.
Taking proper care of your natural teeth or dental implants and dentures is a sure-fire way to prevent gum disease and future tooth loss.
However, you must complete a daily regiment with dentures to ensure they stay clean from bacteria and germs. Soaking them in a cleaning solution overnight and brushing them after you eat are just a few of the tasks you’ll need to complete.
In addition, a relift is a process where the dentist adjusts your dentures according to how your mouth structure has changed over time. This is a future cost you’ll pay that doesn’t include the procedure and initial price.
Cost of Implants vs. Dentures
The price you pay for filling in missing teeth depends on the material denture and implant material. For example, a dentist charges much more for full, partial metal dentures.
A surgeon may also need to extract several decayed or damaged teeth from the denture patient before creating the mod. This operation adds thousands to the final bill when it’s all said and done.
On the other hand, implants generally run higher since they involve drilling into the jawbone. You may have additional work needed to finish the job, such as ridge modification where bone loss has occurred.
Let an Expert Help You Decide Between Dentures & Implants!
Deciding on your own between dentures and dental implants can be challenging, especially if you’re not an expert in oral health. Both options carry a lot of weight with your dental maintenance and checking account for years to come.
While dentures are removable, implants are permanent solutions that can last you up to 20 years. We believe every set of teeth (or lack of) is different and requires a unique oral health procedure.
Dr. Nathan Smith and our dental professionals understand the difference between each option and recommend them based on a patient’s medical history and current teeth.
You can trust our friendly team to give the best dental solution that fits your budget and saves you the most in the long run with preventative maintenance.
Call our dental experts today at (480)-838-3033 so we can answer your questions over the phone. Then, we can consider seeing you personally for an appointment and get you in with little to no wait time.
The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The author of the blog is contracted third-party writer. East Valley Dental Professionals LLC does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. Always consult your dentist or your other personal physicians for specific medical advice.
Have a question about your smile?
Dr. Smith and our Dobson Ranch team can talk through your options at your next visit.
