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Dentures rest on your gums and come out. Dental implants are anchored in the jawbone and stay in place. Dentures cost less upfront and need no surgery. Implants feel closer to natural teeth and help preserve the jawbone. Many patients choose a middle path: dentures held in place by implants.
At Brilliant Smiles of Maryland in Reisterstown, MD, we make dentures and we place implants. We have no reason to steer you toward one. Here is how they compare, so you arrive at your visit knowing what to ask.
The difference is what holds your new teeth. Dentures are held by your gums, or by clips on your remaining teeth. Implants are held by titanium posts in the bone, where your tooth roots used to be.
You can read more about our full and partial dentures and our dental implants.
Dentures win on upfront cost and speed. Implants win on stability, chewing and bone health. Implant-supported dentures sit in between.
| Question | Conventional dentures | Snap-in implant dentures | Fixed implant teeth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replaces the tooth roots? | No | Yes, at the implant sites | Yes |
| Involves surgery? | No, unless teeth need removing | Yes, implant placement under local anesthesia | Yes |
| Stays in place when you eat? | Can shift, especially lower dentures | Much steadier | Fixed, like natural teeth |
| Helps preserve the jawbone? | No | Yes, around the implants | Yes |
| Do you take it out? | Yes, every night | Yes, for cleaning | No, only your dentist removes it |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
| Typical treatment time | Usually 4 to 6 weeks | Several months, mostly healing | Several months, mostly healing |
| Typical lifespan | About 7 to 10 years, with relines | Implants often last decades. The denture and attachments wear. | Implants often last decades. The teeth on top may need repairs. |
Your bone, gums, health and budget decide which column fits you.
Click a photo to see the full before-and-after.
Real Brilliant Smiles of Maryland patients. Individual results vary.
Implants feel and work most like natural teeth. Dentures work well for many people, but they take some getting used to, and some foods stay harder to eat.
With conventional dentures, a lower denture in particular can move when you chew or talk. Many wearers cut food small and avoid things like corn on the cob, crusty bread, whole apples or sticky foods. New dentures can also change your speech for a few weeks while you adjust.
An upper denture covers the roof of your mouth. Some wearers say this changes how food feels and tastes. Fixed implant teeth leave the roof of your mouth open.
Implant-supported dentures fix most of the movement problem. Patients who struggle with a loose denture often notice the biggest change.
They are dentures held in place by implants instead of by suction alone. They come in two kinds: snap-in dentures you remove for cleaning, and fixed full arches that stay in.
In some cases, implants can be added to hold a denture you already have. You can read more about these options on our dental implant restorations page.
Conventional dentures have the lowest upfront cost. Snap-in implant dentures cost more, and fixed full-arch implants cost the most. Over many years, the gap can narrow, because dentures need relines and replacement.
Your cost depends on how many teeth you are replacing, whether teeth need removing, your bone and the materials used. Our guide to what dental implants cost in Maryland sets out general ranges, including full-arch treatment.
At Brilliant Smiles, you get a written estimate before any treatment begins. We accept all major dental insurance plans and welcome patients without insurance. You can also ask about Sunbit financing or our Kleer membership plan. See our payment options.
If you are on Medicare, note that Original Medicare does not cover dentures or implants in most cases.
The average denture lasts about seven to 10 years, with relines in between as your gums change. An implant post often lasts for decades. The teeth attached to implants still wear and may need repair or replacement over time.
Our guide on how long dental implants last explains what the research shows.
After teeth are lost, the jawbone in that area slowly shrinks. Dentures do not stop this. Implants help slow it where they are placed, because chewing pressure reaches the bone through the implant.
As the bone shrinks under a denture, the denture gradually stops fitting. That is why dentures need relines and eventually a remake. Over many years, bone loss can also change the shape of the lower face.
An implant works like a tooth root. That is one of the main reasons dentists recommend implants for patients who are good candidates.
Dentures suit patients who want to avoid surgery, need a lower upfront cost or need teeth quickly. Implants suit patients with enough bone, healthy gums and a wish for teeth that do not move.
Dentures may be the better fit if you:
Implants may be the better fit if you:
If you still have some healthy teeth, a partial denture, a bridge or implants may all be options. Our guide to a dental bridge vs. implant covers that decision.
Often, yes, even after years of wearing dentures. If the jawbone has shrunk, a bone graft may be needed first. A 3D scan shows how much bone is available.
The sooner you look into it, the more bone you are likely to have. Some patients start with dentures, then move to implant-supported dentures when the timing or budget works for them.
Dentures come out for cleaning every day. Fixed implant teeth stay in and are cleaned like natural teeth, with extra attention underneath.
Dentures: take them out at night, brush them, keep them moist and rinse after meals. Brush your gums too. Come in for adjustments and relines rather than trying home fixes like glue or filing.
Snap-in implant dentures: clean the denture as above, and clean around each implant attachment. The small parts that hold the denture wear and are replaced from time to time.
Fixed implant teeth: brush twice a day and clean under the arch with a water flosser or floss threader. Professional cleanings and checkups keep the gums around the implants healthy.
These are the situations patients describe most often.
“I want the lowest upfront cost.” Conventional dentures usually cost the least to start.
“Surgery is the part that worries me.” Dentures replace your teeth without placing anything in the jawbone.
“My denture slips when I eat.” Implant-supported dentures are designed for exactly this problem.
“I want teeth that never come out.” A fixed full arch on implants is the closest option to natural teeth.
“I have worn dentures for years.” You may still be a good implant candidate. A scan will tell you.
“I am in my 70s or 80s.” Age alone does not rule out implants. Our guide to dental implants for seniors explains what matters more.
Nothing is decided at the first visit. We examine your mouth, review your health history and explain your options, including costs, before anything is scheduled.
If implants are a possibility, a 3D CBCT scan shows your bone in detail. Dr. Alex Fishman then walks you through which options fit and what each would involve. You leave with a written estimate and time to think.
Whether your answer is dentures, implants or a mix of both, the team at Brilliant Smiles of Maryland in Reisterstown, MD will explain your choices in plain language.
Call (410) 833-8380 to compare dentures and implants for your smile.
For stability, chewing and bone health, implants usually come out ahead. Dentures cost less upfront and need no surgery, which makes them the better fit for some patients. The right choice depends on your health, bone and budget.
Dentures are cheaper upfront. Implants cost more at the start but often need less replacement over time. A written estimate for both lets you compare them for your own case.
Often, yes. Long-term denture wearers may have lost some bone, so a graft is sometimes needed first. A 3D scan shows what is possible.
Snap-in implant dentures come out for cleaning. Fixed full-arch implant teeth do not. Only your dentist removes them.
A snap-in lower denture is often held by two implants. Upper dentures and fixed full arches usually need more, typically four or six.
Many dental plans pay part of the cost of dentures. Implant coverage is often more limited. Original Medicare does not cover either in most cases. We check your benefits before treatment.
All-on-4® is one kind of implant-supported full arch. It is fixed in place on four implants. A snap-in implant denture is removable.
