Dentures vs. Implants: What You Need to Know

What Are They?

Dentures are fake teeth you can take out. They sit on top of your gums. 

Dental implants are metal posts that go into your jaw bone. They hold new teeth that stay in your mouth all the time. 

The big difference is that you take dentures out each night, but implants stay in forever. 

How Much Do They Cost?

Money matters! Let’s look at what you might pay:

Dentures cost:

• $800-$1,500 for a full set
• $200-$500 more each year for fixes 

Implants cost:

• $1,600-$2,200 for just one tooth
• $24,000-$50,000 or more for a whole mouth 

Insurance often helps pay for some of your dentures. But most times, it won’t pay much for implants. 

How Long Does It Take?

Getting dentures is faster:

1. The dentist makes a mold of your mouth
2. You try them on
3. The dentist makes them fit better
4. You get your new teeth in 2-6 weeks 

Getting implants takes more time:

1. You might need bone added to your jaw
2. The dentist puts in the metal posts
3. You wait 3-6 months for healing
4. The dentist puts new teeth on the posts 

Good Things and Bad Things

Dentures

Good things:

• Cost less money at first
• No surgery needed
• Work for people with weak jaw bones 

Bad things:

• Can slip when you eat or talk
• Need to be taken out at night
• Make your jaw bone get smaller over time
• Need to be replaced every 5-7 years 

Implants

Good things:

• Feel more like real teeth
• Let you eat all foods
• Keep your jaw bone strong
• Last 15-25 years or longer 

Bad things:

• Cost a lot of money
• Need surgery
• Take a long time to finish
• Not good for people with weak jaw bones 

Who Should Get Which Kind?

Dentures might be best if you:

• Don’t have much money to spend
• Have a very weak jaw bone
• Don’t want surgery
• Are OK with taking teeth out at night 

Implants might be best if you:

• Can spend more money
• Have a strong jaw bone
• Want teeth that feel real
• Want a fix that lasts many years 

Taking Care of Them

Dentures:

• Take them out every night
• Clean them with a soft brush
• Keep them in water when not in your mouth
• Don’t use hot water (it can make them change shape)
• See the dentist if they start to hurt 

Implants:

• Brush and floss like real teeth
• See your dentist every year
• No need to take them out 

How Long Do They Last?

Dentures need to be replaced every 5-7 years. The way your mouth looks changes over time, and dentures wear out. 

Implants can last 15-25 years or more if you take good care of them. Some people have had implants for their whole life! 

Are People Happy With Them?

Denture facts:

• 6 out of 10 people with dentures can’t eat some foods
• 3 out of 10 people with dentures don’t go to some events because they worry their teeth might slip 

Implant facts:

• 95 out of 100 people with implants are happy with them
• 92 out of 100 people with implants have no trouble eating or talking after 5 years 

What About Your Jaw Bone?

Your jaw bone stays strong when it has teeth in it. When teeth are gone:

• With dentures, your jaw bone gets smaller over time. This can make your face look older. 
• With implants, your jaw bone stays strong because the metal posts act like tooth roots. This helps your face keep its shape. 

A Mix of Both: Implant-Held Dentures

Some people get a mix of both:

• A few implants in the jaw
• A denture that snaps onto the implants

This gives you:

• Lower cost than full implants
• More stable than regular dentures
• Better chewing (40% better than plain dentures)
• Less jaw bone loss than plain dentures 

Questions People Ask

Making Your Choice

Think about:

• How much money you can spend
• If you’re OK with surgery
• How long you want your new teeth to last
• If you want teeth that stay in your mouth

Talk to your dentist about what’s best for you. They know your mouth and can help you decide. 

Cost Over Time

Let’s see what might happen over 20 years:

While implants cost much more at first, the difference gets smaller over many years. 

Final Thoughts

Dentures are a good fix when you:

• Need new teeth now
• Have a small budget
• Don’t want surgery

Implants are a good fix when you:

• Want teeth that feel real
• Can wait several months
• Can spend more money
• Want a fix that lasts many years

Many people start with dentures and move to implants later when they can. Others are happy with dentures their whole life.

The best choice is what works for you, your mouth, and your life.