Comparing Dental Implants & Dentures: Which is Better?

Our smile is often the first thing others notice about us, so losing teeth can be a stressful and uncomfortable experience. Not only is our confidence affected, but everyday activities like eating or speaking can become difficult. Whether it’s due to injury, decay, or aging, missing teeth can impact oral health and overall well-being. Thankfully, with today’s modern technology and advances, dentistry can offer several effective solutions. Options such as dental implants, bridges, and dentures can restore your smile and function, helping you feel like yourself again. Choosing the right dental treatment depends on individual needs, but solutions are more accessible than ever.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a modern and long-lasting solution for restoring your smile. They involve a small titanium screw clinically planted into the jawbone, mimicking an artificial tooth root, in place of missing teeth. Eventually, the implant will fuse with the bone, providing a stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture. Looking, feeling and functioning like natural teeth, dental implants provide improved comfort, durability, and confidence. They also help maintain bone structure and prevent surrounding teeth from shifting.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable dental devices made to replace missing teeth, giving you back your function and approving appearance. There are two types: full dentures, used to replace missing teeth of the lower or upper jaw, and partial dentures, which close the gaps between the remaining natural teeth. Custom-made dentures are designed to fit comfortably in your mouth, helping you to chew, speak, and improve facial structure. While they may take time to get used to, dentures are an affordable and effective tooth replacement option, especially for those who don’t qualify for implants.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: The Pros and Cons

As two of the most common solutions for tooth replacements, dental implants and dentures are requested by individuals frequently. However, both options have distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs, lifestyle, and oral health condition:

Dental Implants: Pros

  • A permanent solution that closely mimics natural teeth.
  • Highly durable and can last a lifetime with proper care.
  • Maintains jawbone density, preventing bone loss that can often occur with missing teeth.
  • Super comfortable and functioning, enabling you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
  • Extremely stable, eliminating shifting or slipping without the use of adhesives.

Dental Implants: Cons

  • The procedure can be expensive and is often not fully covered by insurance.
  • Involves surgery, with recovery time taking several months.
  • Not everyone is a suitable candidate, as you need good bone density to support the implants.

Dentures: Pros

  • More affordable than implants and provides a quick solution to restoring function and aesthetics.
  • Modern designs have improved significantly in comfort and appearance.
  • Ideal for patients with weak jawbones or those not suited for surgery.

Dentures: Cons

  • They can feel bulky and may take time to get used to.
  • Can cause sore spots or irritation to the gums if not fitted correctly.
  • Requires regular maintenance and may need to be replaced every 5–10 years, due to jawbone shifting over time.

To summarise, dental implants are a long-term, natural-feeling solution that come with a high price tag and a more invasive procedure. On the other hand, dentures are more budget-friendly and non-surgical but may lack the level of comfort or functionality that implants provide. The best choice for you depends on your oral health, preferences, and budget.

Difference Between The Procedures & Costs

The procedures for dental implants and dentures differ significantly in terms of time, complexity, and invasiveness. Similarly, the cost of these procedures significantly differs from one another.


Aspect Dental Implants Dentures
Procedure Surgical insertion of a titanium screw into the jawbone (may include bone grafting). Healing takes months, followed by abutment and crown/bridge/denture placement. Non-surgical. Involves impressions and possibly tooth extractions. Final dentures fitted after healing.
Timeframe Several months (to allow for healing and osseointegration). Typically a few weeks (depends on extractions and denture fitting).
Complexity High – involves multiple stages and surgical expertise. Low – straightforward and non-invasive.
Invasiveness Invasive (surgery required). Non-invasive.
Cost $2,000–$5,000 per implant; full-mouth implants: $20,000–$50,000+. $1,000–$3,000 for a full set; may require future replacements or adjustments.
Longevity Long-lasting; typically permanent if maintained properly. Shorter lifespan; may need adjustments or replacement over time.

Dental Implants: Procedure

This surgical process involves a titanium screw being inserted into the jaw, serving as an artificial tooth root. This must be carefully planned and can sometimes include bone grafting if a significant amount of bone has been lost. Once put in place, the implant will go through the process of osseointegration and be given time to fuse with the bone, which can take several months. After the healing process is complete, an abutment is attached to the post, followed by a custom crown, bridge, or denture. The entire process may take several months, but it results in a permanent, stable solution.

Dental Implants: Cost

A single dental implant can range from $2,000 to $5,000, including other charges. Full-mouth implants may cost in the region of $20,000 to $50,000 and can often be more. These prices include surgery, materials, and multiple appointments.

Dentures: Procedure

The procedure for dentures is quick and non-surgical. After the initial consultation and oral examination, impressions of the mouth are taken to create a custom-fit denture, ensuring comfort. If teeth need to be extracted, this is performed before or during this phase. It may take a few weeks to heal from the extractions, after which final dentures are fitted.

Dentures: Cost

Dentures are a more affordable option, with full sets typically costing between $1,000 and $3,000. However, dentures may require replacement or adjustments over time, adding to the cost.

Contact Smile Society for advice and information on dental implants vs dentures to help make your decision easier. Let’s discuss your budget, oral health, and long-term goals to determine the best choice for you.

Which Is Right for You?

Dental implants and dentures are great choices to improve your smile, but ultimately, your decision will be based on factors such as your oral health, lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences. Implants will give you a long-lasting, natural-looking solution with excellent function, but will require surgery and a high investment. Dentures are the more affordable option and are non-invasive, making them ideal for those seeking a quick, less costly solution. They may, however, require ongoing adjustments and need to be replaced over time.

So if you’re weighing up the options between dentures vs tooth implants vs dental bridge, consult with our experienced team at Smile Society to assess your bone health, medical history, and goals. With our guidance, you can choose the solution that best restores your smile, confidence, and quality of life.

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