Tooth cavities and other dental issues necessitate lasting solutions, often involving treatments like root canals or other procedures. Subsequently, patients can choose between dentures or dental implants to restore the treated teeth. Though both are considered effective post-treatment solutions, dental implants are surgically positioned in the jawbone, while dentures are removable prosthetics for teeth. Explore the differences between dentures and dental implants below and discover why some patients may lean towards one over the other

• Cost

The price of dental implants varies between dentists. Healthcare professionals who are in demand and enjoy a good reputation among their clients tend to charge more than others. With all that considered, the cost of full mouth implants averages at about $34,000, while the cost of implant-supported dentures varies anywhere between $7,000 and $90,000.

From an economic perspective, dentures make more sense for some patients as they are relatively cost-efficient. However, it is important to note that implants have their own advantages as well

• Maintenance

Tooth implants are similar to replacing a decayed, extracted tooth with a brand-new one. This aspect makes living with implants much more convenient and easy than with dentures. People can brush their teeth, floss, and eat things as they normally would with conventional teeth in place.

Dentures can take some time for new users to get used to. Additionally, dentures take a lot more effort from a maintenance perspective. For example, one cannot wear their dentures while sleeping. They must place their dentures in water to keep their moisture and sensitivity intact through the night.

Ultimately, if comfort, convenience, and ease of maintenance are the priority, then it makes sense for people to invest in implants instead of dentures.

• Complications involved

Although both dentures and implants are fairly complication-free, individuals with missing teeth may sometimes experience certain issues when opting for either of the avenues to address the gap in their mouth. Dental implants occasionally come with the risk of infection, particularly if the implant contains more than one metal, which can lead to rusting. Furthermore, there are also chances of mechanical problems like cracked crowns and loosened posts over time. However, the risk of such issues is minimal (only 5% to 10% of all implants).

On the other hand, compared to implants, dentures come with certain risks. Some commonly reported issues with dentures include sores or ulcerations on the gums, difficulty in maintaining them securely in place, and the occasional post-treatment discomfort.

When such complications are taken into account, an implant is a better option for individuals than dentures. Implants are significantly easier to live with and carry a lower risk of new issues for patients in the post-treatment phase.

Both dental implants and dentures come with a list of benefits and drawbacks. Dentures are relatively cheaper than dental implants in terms of initial cost. Furthermore, dentures have a decent level of reliability compared to other post-treatment teeth placement operations. However, despite being the pricier option, dental implants offer many advantages over dentures. Implants are easy to live with, convenient to manage and maintain, and come with significantly lower risks of complications in the long term.