Dentures vs. Dental Implants: Which Is Right for You?

When you’re missing one or more teeth, there are plenty of good reasons to replace them. Missing teeth can interfere with chewing, digestion, and speaking. Your self-confidence may suffer, and your jaw may lose bone tissue over time. 

Traditionally, dentures, full or partial, were the only way to go when you lost natural teeth. Today, the state of the art in tooth restoration is the dental implant. It’s the only way to replace both the crown and the root of a lost tooth. 

Which is the right choice for you? The decision involves a range of considerations, including budget, aesthetics, and functionality. Partner with Jennifer Greder, DDS, at Greder Dental to determine the right option for your situation. Which is right for you? Here’s what you need to know. 

Dentures vs. implants: system comparisons

Dentures and implants address tooth loss in fundamentally different ways: dentures cover the gums and replace the crowns, while implants replace both the roots and the crowns. Let’s look at each system in greater detail. 

Dentures

Conventional dentures are removable plates that rest atop your gums. Removed daily for cleaning, construction is usually acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal. 

Traditionally, there are three variations: 

• Complete dentures: full arch replacements for the top and/or bottom arches
• Partial dentures: attached to remaining natural teeth, partials replace missing teeth
• Fixed partials: semi-permanently attached, requiring a dental visit to remove

There are plenty of variations based on these three basic designs. Fixed partial dentures are often referred to as dental bridges. 

Implants

Implants are a three-part system. 

• Implant: a titanium screw that embeds and fuses with the bone of the jaw
• Abutment: an interface between the implant and the crown
• Crown: the visible part of the implant above the gum line

Depending on the implant manufacturer, there may be minor design variations. 

Which approach is right for you? 

Implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement, and the comparison is apt on cost grounds. When budget is a concern, dentures are more affordable than implants. 

For comfort and function, implants are most like natural teeth. The implant portion preserves the tooth-bone interaction that stimulates jaw regeneration. You may experience bone loss over time with dentures. 

Dentures are a non-surgical solution that can be fitted quickly. Implants are a slow process that may not be suitable for some patients. You must have adequate gum and jawbone health to accept implant components. 

Dr. Greder can help you decide which option is right for you. Contact Greder Dental in Omaha, Nebraska, to book your consultation.