People looking for tooth replacement options often find themselves debating the relative merits of dental implants vs. dentures. Your smile has a huge impact on your quality of life, from your confidence to your ability to eat and talk without impediment, so the tooth replacement choice you make matters.
If you’re considering dental implants in Sydney, our experienced dentists across Sydney are here to help you make the right decision. Book an appointment today to discuss your options.
After discussing the features of dentures and dental implants, this guide places the two options head-to-head in the categories of appearance, function, comfort, and cost, so you can decide for yourself who wins the ultimate dental implants vs. dentures competition.
About Dentures
Dentures are a cost-effective solution to replace missing teeth. Partial dentures are easily removable and used to replace some missing natural teeth. Implant-supported dentures, also called ‘snap-in’ dentures, are secured using dental implants but they are still removable.
Traditional dentures replace the entire arch of teeth. These are designed to slip comfortably over your gum line to ensure an even, secure fit.
Because dentures don’t provide enough bite pressure to maintain jaw bone density, your jawline can still shift with dentures. This means you need to be fitted for new dentures every 5-7 years.
Dentures are a great option if you need a quick fix to replace your missing teeth, or if your jaw and gums are not strong or healthy enough to support a dental implant. While dentures are an affordable choice for many people, with refitting and new dentures, you may want to consider dental implants instead.
About Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement solution. The titanium implant is placed into your jaw and fuses with the jawbone, essentially replacing your tooth root. Once the dental implant is healed, an abutment is placed on top of the implant to keep the gums from growing over it. A crown is then attached, restoring the look, feel, and biting power of your natural tooth.
Because the implant integrates with the bone, it provides enough stimulation to maintain jaw bone density.
How long dental implants last depends on how well you care for them, but with proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, they can be a long-term solution for tooth replacement.
Dentures vs Implants: Appearance
The crown of a dental implant looks like a natural tooth. It is the same crown that is used to restore and protect a tooth after a root canal.
At No Gaps Dental, our dentists work very hard to match the colour and shade of the crown to your existing teeth. If you’re replacing an entire arch, we work with you to find the size and colour that complement your appearance.
Modern dentures are also usually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Over time, your jawbone will shift and change, which can impact your jawline and appearance.
Dentures vs Implants: Function
Dental implants are just like natural teeth. Once you’ve healed from the procedure, you can chew food, speak, and smile normally. The dental implant fuses with the bone and prevents bone recession, keeping your jaw strong and dense.
If you’re wondering whether dental implants hurt, most patients report the dental implant procedure is far more comfortable than expected, and recovery is straightforward with the right aftercare.
Dentures are more fragile than dental implants and they can break. You may be unable to chew or bite as hard. You should avoid hard candies and sticky foods. Over time, with bone loss in the jaw, there may be slippage of your dentures until you can get them relined or replaced.
Dentures vs Implants: Comfort
With a dental implant, you can be more confident knowing it won’t slip or break under normal wear-and-tear. Since dental implants feel like your own, natural teeth, you don’t have much of an adjustment period. You can resume eating, drinking, and speaking normally on the same day as your permanent crown placement. Proper dental implant aftercare helps ensure a smooth recovery and long-term success.
With dentures, slippage and debris getting caught beneath the prosthetic are ongoing concerns. This can cause discomfort and difficulty eating or speaking. Dentures also need to be removed and carefully cleaned every night.
Dentures vs Implants: Cost
Dental implants are more expensive initially. However, they may turn out to be a better investment because they last much longer with proper care. You also do not need to pay for new devices every 5-7 years, or for the cost of refittings with a dental implant. For a full breakdown, see our guide to dental implant costs.
Dentures, on the other hand, may be more affordable initially. Yet, the cost of replacements may eventually surpass the price of a set of dental implants.
If you have partial dentures, the loss of biting power can shift your nearby natural teeth, leading to tooth decay and more tooth loss. The treatments to address these conditions can also add up quickly.
Who Wins?
Who wins the dental implants vs dentures competition?
Dental implants provide better value in terms of longevity, comfort, function, and appearance. The low maintenance of dental implants makes them another premier choice for tooth loss replacement. Simply brush and floss your dental implants as you would your own natural teeth.
However, at No Gaps Dental, we realise that a dental implant may not be a feasible option especially if you are in poor health or lack sufficient jawbone density. Our dentures are constructed from durable, high-quality prosthetic materials that look natural and can restore your confident smile.
Dental Implants vs Dentures? We Can Help You Decide
At No Gaps Dental, we know how important your smile is, along with your ability to eat and speak without the difficulties of tooth loss.
If you’re considering dental implants in Sydney, our dentists across Sydney are ready to help you find the right solution.
Contact us on (02) 8007 6727 and book an appointment at one of our 18 convenient locations.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.