Losing a tooth – or several – is more common than most people realise. And while it’s tempting to put off dealing with it, the truth is that missing teeth affect more than just your smile. They affect how you eat, how you speak and over time, the health of the teeth and bone around them.
The two most common routes or replacing missing teeth are dental implants and dentures. Both restore function and appearance but they work very differently. The right choice depends on your circumstances, your health and what you want from your smile, long-term.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that’s placed directly into the jawbone, acting as an artificial tooth root. Once it’s integrated with the bone – which normally takes around three months – a crown is attached on top to replicate the look and feel of a natural tooth.
The result is a fixed, stable tooth that doesn’t move when you eat or talk. Most patients describe it as feeling completely natural. You brush and floss it just like any other tooth. For lots of patients, the fact that it’s completely indistinguishable from their own teeth is the biggest plus point.
Implants also do something dentures can’t: they stimulate the jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it starts to gradually shrink because there’s no longer any pressure being applied to it. An implant replicates that stimulation and helps maintain the bone structure around it – which matters more the longer you’re living with the replacement.
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable appliances that replace multiple missing teeth, either a full arch or just a partial section. They’re made from acrylic and are designed to sit on the gums, full upper dentures typically cover the palate as well.
They’re a well-established, non-surgical option that are relatively quick to fit. For patients who need to replace several teeth at once or where surgery isn’t suitable, they’re a really practical option.
That said, they do take some getting used to. We know they can feel a little bulky to start with and the palate coverage on upper dentures can affect your sense of taste. They also need to be removed for cleaning which can be a lifestyle adjustment for some people.
Over time, as the jawbone naturally changes shape, dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced to make sure the fit is still right for you.
And how do they compare?
The answer to that really depends on what matters most to you, there are some key differences between implants and dentures:
Comfort and daily experience. Implants feel like your natural teeth, there’s no movement, no palate coverage, no adjustment period. Dentures are a learned experience; most patients adapt well but they’re a more noticeable presence day-to-day.
Eating. Implants restore close to normal bite force. With dentures, certain foods – particularly hard or chewy ones – may need a bit more thinking about, especially early on.
Longevity. Implants are a long-term investment. With proper care, they’re built to last. Dentures normally need adjusting or replacing over the years as the jaw changes shape beneath them.
Cost. Dentures are the more affordable option upfront. Implants are a higher investment but they do last longer and don’t need to be replaced as often as dentures which tends to balance out the long-term value.
Treatment process. For dentures, we need to take impressions of your teeth and have the denture made, it’s quite a straightforward process with no need for surgery. Implants do need a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic, followed by a healing period before the final crown is fitted.
What about implant-supported dentures?
For some patients who are missing multiple teeth, the cost of full individual implants can be cost-prohibitive. In those cases, implant-supported dentures are a great middle ground. Instead of sitting freely on the gums, the denture clips onto a small number of implants which creates far greater stability than a traditional denture.
It’s a really popular option for patients replacing a full arch. Implant-supported dentures are more comfortable and secure than a full set of individual implants and at a more accessible price point.
When dentures might be the better fit?
Implants aren’t the right solution for everyone; there are still situations where dentures make more sense – clinically or practically.
Patients with some medical conditions – like those affecting healing or bone health – might not be the best fit for implant surgery. Some medications can also impact how well the bone integrates with an implant. We’ll always carry out a thorough consultation with you to flag any of these factors before we decide on a course of treatment.
Budget is another real consideration too. If the upfront cost of implants isn’t doable right now, a well-fitted denture is a great, functional solution and can sometimes be a stepping stone to implants later on.
When are implants the better choice?
If you’re in good general health, have sufficient bone density and want a long-term solution that you won’t have to think about much once it’s in place, implants are generally considered the gold standard for tooth replacement.
They’re especially worth considering if you’re replacing a single back tooth. It might seem like a gap that won’t bother you but missing back teeth redistribute bite pressure to the surrounding teeth, which can cause those teeth to wear and break down over time. Addressing the gap early prevents a more complicated problem later.
Let’s decide together
Both implants and dentures are legitimate, well-proven options for replacing missing teeth. The right choice isn’t one-size-fits-all, it depends on your health, your budget, and what you want your day-to-day experience to look like.
What we’d always say is: don’t leave missing teeth unaddressed. The longer a gap is left, the more the surrounding bone and teeth are affected.
If you’re weighing up your options and want a clear, honest conversation about what’s right for you, get in touch with the Smile9 team to book a consultation. We’ll assess what’s going on, explain your options without the jargon, and help you make a decision you’re confident in.