Dentures Vs Dental Implants

Dentures or Implants - What's The Better Option?

When choosing between dentures or dental implants, patients tend to decide based on cost and don't always consider the long-term effects of their choice—they should worry about it later, right?Well, not making the right decision now can worsen your oral condition, making it harder, longer, and more costly to receive dental implants later in life.So, allow our London dentists to compare the two treatments on every level so you can trust you've made a well-informed decision that you can be happy with.

Function

🏆 Winner: Dental ImplantsWhen it comes to function, dental implants' super stability and functionality make them the clear choice.

• Dental implants: Dental implants are anchored into the jawbone and act like artificial tooth roots, making them the most stable and natural-feeling restoration you can buy. With implants, patients can eat without limits, speak freely, and smile without fear.
• Dentures: Even modern and advanced dentures for full mouth rehab rely on suction or adhesives to stay in place. While they can offer basic functions, they can slip when eating and speaking, limiting functionality and the types of foods you feel confident eating.

Aesthetics

🏆 Winner: Dental ImplantsIn this category, dental implants deliver a more natural and permanent aesthetic solution using porcelain dental crowns. These crowns mimic natural light properties and offer the same transparency as natural teeth.

• Dental implants: Designed to look and feel like natural teeth, dental implants are bespoke and made to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth. Compared to dentures, no one will be able to tell you to have a dental implant, as they use higher-quality materials.
• Dentures: Advances in denture design have improved their appearance and quality; however, as the fit changes over time, they can look slightly less natural.

Cost

🏆 Winner: DenturesIf you're considering upfront costs, dentures take the win here. They cost significantly less than dental implants for full mouth replacements. However, in the long run, dental implants can sometimes be more affordable.

• Dental implants: Patients can experience higher initial costs for dental implants. That said, they are a better long-term investment, requiring less maintenance and offering better durability. Single dental implants cost from £2,500.
• Dentures: Dentures are the more affordable upfront option and accessible to more patients. However, patients must consider long-term fees for dentures as they'll require more frequent repairs, adjustments, and replacements over time. Partial dentures start from £1,050.

Explore full mouth implant costs.

Oral Health

🏆 Winner: Dental ImplantsDental implants are the clear winner as they do not deteriorate the oral condition over time and, instead, actively enhance and protect the future of your oral health.

• Dental implants: Dental implants act like artificial roots and integrate with the jawbone, keeping it stimulated, preventing bone loss and facial sagging and promoting overall stronger oral health.
• Dentures: Dentures contribute to bone loss over time because they don't stimulate the jawbone, causing the gums to shrink. Over time, the effects of dentures can affect how your face looks and the strength of your oral health (which is why they become loose).

Long-Term Results

🏆 Winner: Dental ImplantsThe longevity and durability of dental implants is unmatched.

• Dental implants: Dental implants with the right care can last a lifetime, with a 98% survival rate in patient reviews after 10 years of full mouth placement. Dental implants generally have a lifespan of up to 25 years.
• Dentures: Dentures typically require replacement every 5-10 years due to wear and changes in your jawbone structure.

Patient Satisfaction

🏆 Winner: Dental ImplantsDental implant patients express a higher satisfaction with their treatment as compared to denture wearers.

• Dental implants: In a study conducted by NIH, 94.4% of patients were satisfied with their prostheses. Satisfaction rates range from 87.4% to 94.5%, depending on the implant treatment after 5 years.
  • Overall satisfaction: 87.4%
  • Phonetics: 100%
  • Chewing comfort: 91.6%
  • Stability: 87.4%
  • Aesthetics: 84.2%
• Dentures: In the beginning, patients might appreciate the low cost of dentures but, over time, begin to feel frustrated with the fit, function and how they feel. According to surveys, 95% of denture wearers were dissatisfied with some areas of their dentures, and only 5% were completely satisfied.

Verdict - dental implants take the crown

Dentures are a viable option, but they struggle to compete in almost every category with dental implants. However, we understand that the cost of dental implants can be a barrier to treatment.While the cost of implants is higher, they are long-term investments and, in reality, offer a much better value for money for those wanting a more permanent, worry-free solution.Learn more about dental implants or dentures, or book a consultation to discuss what will work for your missing tooth/teeth case.