Losing teeth can affect how you eat, speak and feel about your smile. The two most common ways to replace several missing teeth are dentures and dental implants. Both can work well, and the right choice depends on your mouth, your health, your lifestyle and your budget. Here is a friendly, straightforward comparison.
Dentures are removable replacement teeth that sit on your gums. A partial denture fills gaps between your natural teeth, while a full denture replaces all the teeth in one jaw.
Dental implants are small titanium posts placed into the jawbone, where they act like artificial tooth roots. A crown, bridge or full set of teeth is then fixed on top.
Modern dentures are much more comfortable and natural-looking than they used to be, and many people wear them happily for years. However, some people find they move when eating or speaking, particularly lower dentures.
Implants are fixed in place, so they feel and function much like natural teeth. There is no movement, no adhesives and no need to take them out at night.
Implants restore almost all of your natural biting strength, so you can enjoy a wide range of foods. With dentures, some patients find harder or chewier foods more difficult.
When a tooth is lost, the bone that supported it gradually shrinks. Dentures do not stop this happening, which is why they can become loose over time and need relining. Implants stimulate the bone in a similar way to natural roots, which helps to preserve it.
Dentures cost less upfront. Dentures are available on the NHS as a band 3 treatment, currently £332.10. Privately at castle street, acrylic dentures start from £950 and cobalt chrome partial dentures from £1,200.
Implants are a bigger investment. A single implant with its crown starts from around £2,500 at castle street, and full-arch all-on-4 treatment starts from £16,000. Implants are not usually available on the NHS. Because implants can last for many years with good care, many patients see them as good long-term value. You can spread the cost with 0% finance over 12 months.
Most people can have dentures. Implants need enough healthy bone, healthy gums and reasonable general health. Smoking and some medical conditions can affect healing. We will assess all of this at your consultation.
Implant-retained dentures clip onto a small number of implants, giving much better stability than a standard denture at a lower cost than a full set of fixed teeth.
Our principal dentist, dr nikhil patel, holds a diploma in implantology from the royal college of surgeons edinburgh. Whether you are leaning towards dentures, implants or are not sure yet, we will explain every option honestly. Call us on 01494 527971 to book a consultation.
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