Dentures vs. Dental Implants — Which Is Right for Me?

If you're missing teeth, you’re far from alone. The American College of Prosthodontists estimates 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and 36 million are edentulous (completely toothless).

Missing one tooth or several can take a toll on your self-esteem and affect your ability to chew comfortably and speak clearly.

Replacing missing teeth can help restore the appearance and functionality of your smile. That’s why Dr. David Blaustein and our team here at Chelsea Dental Aesthetics in New York City offer several options for replacing missing teeth, including dentures and dental implants.

Below, we share an overview of our denture and implant offerings and tips for deciding which option might be best for you.

Understanding dentures

Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth that replace missing teeth. Here at Chelsea Dental Aesthetics, we offer several types of dentures, including:

• Conventional dentures, placed after your teeth are extracted and gums have healed
• Immediate dentures, inserted right after your teeth are extracted
• Partial dentures, used to replace only some of your teeth

Dentures are typically less expensive than implants, especially if you’re replacing an entire mouth of missing teeth with dental implants. 

Because dentures are made from impressions and inserted into your mouth, you won’t need invasive surgical procedures to wear dentures. That’s especially helpful if you don’t have enough jawbone to support a dental implant. 

Dentures might be right for you if: 

• You have many missing teeth
• You want to avoid dental implant surgery
• You’re not cleared for dental implant surgery
• You have an underlying condition (like diabetes) that makes surgery more risky

Dentures are easy to care for but do require routine cleaning and maintenance. For example, if you’re not wearing them, store them in water or a denture solution to keep them from warping or drying out.

We also offer implant-retained dentures, where a few implant posts support your dentures. While these aren’t removable, they do combine the strength of a dental implant with the full coverage of dentures.

Understanding dental implants

Dental implants are unlike dentures in that they’re surgically placed into your jawbone. The titanium implant post embeds in your jaw and is topped with a custom-made dental crown to replace your missing tooth.

Because the titanium post fuses to your jawbone, implants are sturdy and, unlike dentures, won’t slide out of place. They’re more expensive than dentures, and you need enough jawbone to support a dental implant. 

Dental implants might be right for you if:

• You’re only missing one tooth 
• You’re missing several teeth and are interested in implant-supported dentures
• You’re cleared for surgery
• You have enough jawbone
• You don’t want to hassle with denture adhesive or maintenance 

If you don’t have enough jawbone to support a dental implant, you’re not out of the running. Dr. Blaustein may recommend bone grafting to make your mouth more hospitable to a dental implant and increase your chance of a successful procedure.

Which option is right for you?

Dentures and implants are evidence-based tooth replacement options. The best choice depends on several factors, including how many teeth you need to replace, your preferences, your budget, and your overall health. 

Here at Chelsea Dental Aesthetics, Dr. Blaustein walks you through your options during your consultation. He studies digital images, reviews your oral health, and addresses any concerns before recommending a treatment plan.

Visit us at our office in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan to get started with your dream smile today. Give us a call or book your appointment online.