Dental Implants Vs. Dentures

by Andrew Mueller, DMD, MD | Oct 18, 2023

If you have multiple damaged or missing teeth, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about a quarter (26%) of American adults over the age of 65 have fewer than 8 natural teeth while 1 in 6 adults in the same age bracket have lost all of their teeth entirely.

Tooth loss may be common, but that doesn’t mean it should be accepted, ignored or overlooked. To the contrary, the risks associated with not replacing missing teeth include the degradation and weakening of your jawbone, the shifting of remaining teeth, the potential loss of more teeth, gum disease (which is also associated with many more serious health conditions), and more. Of course, there are also the everyday discomforts and frustrations associated with not being able to chew or speak as well as you’d like and perhaps feeling self conscious about the appearance of your smile.

Dentures and dental implants are the two most common full arch tooth replacement options, and at Doctors Implants, our team of exceptional Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is frequently asked about the differences between them. While both tooth replacement solutions are designed to help patients support their facial muscles and chew, speak, and smile with confidence, at Doctors Implants we believe that dental implants are the superior choice in almost all cases.

Let us tell you why:

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing or damaged teeth. Suitable for replacing one or more teeth at a time, they are increasingly the preferred treatment option for patients looking to invest in permanent tooth replacement that looks and functions just like natural teeth.

Dental implants are composed of three parts:

1) The implant or post is a titanium post that is surgically placed directly into the jawbone beneath the gum line. It functions like the root of a natural tooth and helps prevent bone loss by stimulating the jawbone.

2) The abutment is a small metal piece that sits above the gumline. Its function is to connect the implant post to the crown.

3) The crown (also known as a prosthesis or prosthetic tooth) is the portion of the implant that looks like a natural tooth and is visible in the mouth. 

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are artificial teeth that are custom designed to fit over your gums. Consisting of plastic or acrylic teeth, they are typically secured in the mouth by suction and dental adhesive. Dentures are not a permanent tooth replacement solution and have to be removed nightly for cleaning and to provide a rest for your natural gums. It is common for dentures to slip, especially when not fitted properly, meaning that regular fitting appointments and sometimes even sores (ulcerations) on the gums are not unusual. Even the highest quality, best fitting full mouth dentures have a limited lifetime, often needing to be replaced as frequently as every 5-7 years.

Which Option Is Closest to Natural Teeth?

Dental implants are much more like natural teeth than dentures. While conventional dentures may feel bulky and uncomfortable, slip in the mouth, and provide limited chewing efficiency, dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Once the healing period has passed, most implant patients report that they can’t tell the difference between their natural teeth and their implants. In addition, dental implants help to stimulate jawbone growth and can be maintained with standard daily brushing and using a Waterpik.

Are Dental Implants a Better Option Than Dentures for Missing Teeth?

For the team of leading Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at Doctors Implants, the answer is yes. Let’s review some of the reasons why:

  • Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement solution.
  • They stimulate the jawbone and prevent bone loss.
  • Dental implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.
  • They don’t slip.
  • Dental implants can be maintained and cared for with straightforward brushing and Waterpik usage.
  • They have a high success rate (at Doctors Implants, our implant success rate is greater than 99%).
  • With dental implants, you’ll be able to eat all the foods you love and flash your smile with complete confidence.

While it’s true that conventional dentures offer a quicker and less invasive solution for tooth replacement than full mouth dental implants, the professional team at Doctors Implants believes that full mouth dental implants provide the superior solution over the long term.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Between Dental Implants and Dentures

Let’s dive a little deeper:

Age

The team at Doctors Implants recommends dental implants for adult patients of all ages. Younger patients, in particular, can benefit from a long lifetime of superior oral health, comfort, and confidence with dental implants rather than the recurring discomfort, fittings, and replacements associated with conventional dentures.

Bone Density

While some surgeons turn away patients in need due to bone loss, the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at Doctors Implants never have. At our state-of-the-art facilities, we use our extensive experience and training to successfully apply advanced techniques in even the most complex of cases.

Function and Feel

Dental implants are the closest replacement to natural teeth possible, offering superior function and a more natural overall experience than dentures.

Maintenance

Dentures must be removed for nightly cleanings while dental implants are maintained with twice daily brushing and the use of a Waterpik, just like natural teeth.

The Procedure and Recovery

Doctors Implants’ 6 Hour Smile is a revolutionary same-day full mouth dental implant procedure that dramatically reduces the recovery time associated with traditional dental implants. 

Preparing your mouth for dentures and having them made can take anywhere from about 6 weeks to 3 months.

Long-Term Care

While long-term denture care typically requires ongoing adjustments and fittings as well as a daily cleaning routine, long-term care for full mouth dental implants is just like caring for natural teeth. 

Are you ready to learn more about full mouth dental implants and begin the journey to improved oral health and a radiant smile? Contact Doctors Implants today to schedule your free consultation at 1-844-SMILES2!  

About the Author

Andrew Mueller, DMD, MD

Dr. Andrew Mueller loves being an oral and Maxillofacial surgeon. After completing both dental and then medical school, he did a general surgery residency and an oral/maxillofacial surgery residency (both at Parkland hospital in Dallas, Texas). He has performed countless general anesthetics in the operating room, learning how to safely put patients to sleep and wake them back up.