Dental Implants Vs. Dentures: Which Is Better For Me?

Missing your tooth is already enough work. Now, you have to ponder what replacement procedure is best. Should you choose dental implants or dentures?

How do you even know which of the two tooth replacement processes is a good fit for your condition? This piece will help!

Here, you will find the differences between the two said procedures regarding cost, definition, durability, and their respective pros and cons.

Shall we begin? Let’s start with dental implants!

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are permanent, screw-like titanium metals (with a crown) that you fix to replace your missing tooth. For this kind of teeth replacement, you need to have enough bone density in your jaw. Why?

Dental implants (endosteal) fit into the jaw bone. The dentist inserts them at the spot of a damaged root. Then, he allows the bone to grow around the metals until introducing the crown.

Other kinds of dental implant (subperiosteal), drilling holes into your jawbone isn’t necessary. For these kinds, the fixes can sit on your gum and jawbone.

Either way, dental implants indicate screw-like attachments that replace your teeth. And they often involve a surgical process.

Check Out: What Are Dental Implants: What You Need To know

Cost Of Dental Implants

Undoubtedly, dental implants are expensive. Regardless of how many teeth you want to replace, the cost remains hefty.

Perhaps if you leave Western Australia for Queensland, the cost of dental implants will reduce. Sorry to burst the bubbles, the average remains the same.

About the average, expect to cough up nothing less than $3000. And that’s just a single tooth with an excellent bone.

What then if you need bone grafting? Or need to remove multiple teeth?

With bone grafting, the minimum could rise to $11,500 per tooth. For multiple teeth, the time of the procedure increases as well as the care requirements. In that case, expect a minimum charge of $7500.

Check Out: Cost of Dental Implants: What You Need To Know

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The answer here is tricky. Dental implants will last for as long as you want them.

If you don’t tend to your titanium delights, you could even refix some days after the surgery. On the other hand, your dental implants could be your “forever” partner if you maintain adequate oral hygiene.

Another factor contributing to the durability of dental implants is how you nurture them when they are new. At that stage, be picky about food.

In other words, eat soft foods until the gum has healed. Also, quit smoking and binging heavily on alcohol. Else, you would destroy your dental implants at their earliest stage.

Benefits Of Dental Implants

The first benefit you will get from a dental implant is comfort. Once the mild pain of the surgical procedure ceases, the implant works perfectly. You would hardly remember the teeth are even artificial.

Furthermore, dental implants are compact; they snug and integrate into your jawbone. That way, you won’t experience shaky teeth.

Lastly, dental implants provide permanent solutions to your missing teeth problems. Indeed, the durability of these aids depends on you. Nevertheless, expect that your dental implant will outlast other replacement options such as dentures. 

Disadvantages Of Dental Implants

The obvious con of a dental implant is the cost. Imagine paying thousands of dollars for just a single tooth! Or could the cost of implants be cheaper in other countries? Unlikely!

Australian dentists have regulations in place that controls the price to ensure everyone gets a fair quote. So, rest assured that dental implants are generally the same cost for most dental practices in Australia.

Another disadvantage of dental implants is their bone requirement. Without enough of those calcium deposits, your expenses will go through the roof.

Now, let’s look at dentures!

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable, metallic or plastic replacements for your missing teeth. They can temporarily substitute for a few teeth or the whole set of teeth.

Unlike dental implants, dentures have no bone requirements. Regardless of the bone in your mouth, dentures will fit perfectly.

So, where do dentures attach themselves?

These prosthetic teeth are more dependent on your gum than your jawbones. As such, they need no bone grafting or sinus. And about the gums, dentures attach to them with the aid of denture adhesives.

What’s The Cost Of Dentures?

Dentures are, without a doubt, one of the cheapest teeth replacement procedures. The process of fitting these aids is not as complex as in dental implants.

So, expect to pay less here regardless of if you’re getting partial or complete dentures. In particular, you will pay up to $2000 for (either an upper or lower jaw) denture across the six states in Australia. However, for the complete set, the price could lessen to an average of $3870.

Note: your expenses could eventually be cheaper than the quoted figures. How so?

Insurance providers often cover denture fixes. So if you have insurance, expect that your expenses will significantly reduce.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

Dentures typically aren’t a permanent fix. Else, you won’t remove them every night. Besides, they use adhesives – that will eventually wear off.

To put it simply: your dentures won’t last more than 7years. After such a period, you need to book another appointment with your dentist for a denture reline or a replacement.

Anything more than 7years, the dentures will hardly stick to your gum. And when they don’t fit well, such a situation would lead to injuries and discomfort.

Benefits Of Dentures

The first and most prominent benefit of dentures is the cost. They are relatively affordable. So much so that a complete denture set costs less than a single-tooth dental implant.

Also, insurance companies often cover dentures. That means the already affordable price could become even more affordable.

Lastly, dentures do not take much time to fix. Here, you don’t need your bone to grow around the implants.

More so, there is no implant. All you need for your dentures is a matching fit for your gum and the colour.

Disadvantages Of Dentures

Dentures are high-maintenance teeth replacements. With them, you will monitor what you eat, drink, and even how you brush.

Worse: you must remove your dentures before you sleep and soak them in a liquid medium. Where’s the time for that?

Another con of dentures is the lack of naturalness. Lastly, dentures are not durable. Despite all the maintenance and daily removal, they won’t last more than 7years.

Final Thoughts

There is no ill choice between dental implants and dentures. They both fit different needs.

Plus, in some dental procedures, dentists combine the two teeth replacement aids. Nevertheless, we will advise you to go for a durable and natural fix: dental implants. 

Indeed, dental implants are expensive. Even at that, they are worth every penny – and more.