If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’ve probably come across dental implants and dentures as two of the main ways to replace them. Both aim to restore how your mouth looks and functions, but they work quite differently and suit different situations. Your dentist can help you weigh up which option may be more appropriate once they’ve assessed your oral health.
At Infinity Dental Care, we help our patients understand their dental implant options alongside other ways to replace missing teeth.
Quick Overview
- Dental implants and dentures are both options for replacing missing teeth, though they work in different ways.
- Implants generally involve a surgical procedure and a healing period, while dentures are typically removable and don’t require surgery.
- Jawbone density, gum health, and general health conditions can all affect which option may be considered suitable for you.
- A dental check-up and assessment usually help determine which tooth replacement option might align with your circumstances.
Keep reading to understand how dental implants and dentures compare and what factors may influence which option a dentist discusses with you.
What Is the Difference Between Dental Implants and Dentures?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed into the jawbone, while dentures are removable prosthetic teeth that rest on the gums. Both dental implants and dentures aim to restore your ability to chew and speak, but the way they attach to your mouth is quite different. Your dentist will consider your oral health, bone density, and personal preferences before discussing which option may suit you.
Implants are a surgical procedure, so they involve a healing period before the final tooth or teeth are fitted, while dentures don’t require surgery. Because of this, the overall timeline, cost, and day-to-day experience of living with each option can differ quite a bit.
Dentures come in a few different forms depending on how many teeth need replacing and whether they attach to any remaining natural teeth or to implants.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
A dental implant is a titanium post that acts as an artificial tooth root, surgically placed into the jawbone. Over time, the bone grows around the implant in a process called osseointegration, creating a stable base for a crown, bridge, or denture. This generally takes a few months and depends on individual healing.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or, in the case of full dental implants, an entire upper or lower jaw. Because the implant post sits in the jawbone rather than relying on neighbouring teeth, it doesn’t require altering the surrounding teeth in the way some other tooth replacement options do.
A dental implant is placed into the jawbone in a minor operation, and it typically takes around three months for the bone to grow around the implant and hold it in place. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for dental implants. Adequate jawbone density is generally needed to support the implant, and certain health conditions may affect suitability. Your dentist will assess this during a consultation, and bone grafting may sometimes be recommended if there isn’t enough bone to work with.
How Do Dentures Work?
Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth that sit on the gums to replace some or all of your natural teeth. They don’t require a surgical procedure, which is one of the main differences between dental implants and dentures. Full dentures replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, while partial dentures replace only the missing teeth and rely on the remaining teeth for support.
Traditional removable dentures use suction or clasps to stay in place, while implant-supported dentures, sometimes called snap-in dentures, attach to a small number of dental implants for extra stability. Modern dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth, and getting them fitted usually involves several dental appointments for measurements and adjustments.
Denture wearers are generally advised to maintain good oral hygiene, clean their dentures daily, and continue attending regular dental check-ups. Over time, changes in the jawbone can affect how well dentures fit, which is one reason relines or adjustments may be needed down the track.
Dental Implants, Dentures, and Long-Term Jawbone Health
One of the differences often raised when comparing dental implants and dentures is their effect on jawbone health over time, sometimes described as jawbone shrinkage.
Because dental implants sit in the jawbone, they may help provide some ongoing stimulation to the surrounding bone, which is often associated with bone preservation. Traditional dentures sit on top of the gums and don’t provide this same stimulation, so some jawbone changes over time are common for denture wearers, regardless of how well the denture was originally fitted.
The shape of your mouth can change over time, which may cause a denture to stop fitting or functioning properly, sometimes requiring extra material to be added to the base or a new denture to be made. This is a normal part of wearing dentures and isn’t necessarily a sign that anything has gone wrong.
What Affects Whether Dental Implants or Dentures May Be Suitable?
Several factors can influence which tooth replacement option a dentist may discuss with you, including:
- Jawbone density and bone health, since implants generally need enough bone to anchor into
- Gum disease or gum health, as healthy gum tissue supports both implants and dentures
- The number of missing teeth, whether it’s a few missing teeth, multiple missing teeth, or a full arch
- General health conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, which may affect healing and suitability for surgery
- Budget and dental implant costs, since implants and dentures involve different upfront and ongoing costs
- Personal preference, including whether a removable or fixed option feels more comfortable to you
Smoking and poorly managed diabetes are recognised risk factors for gum disease, which can in turn affect tooth loss and the health of the gum tissue that supports both dental implants and dentures. A thorough dental check-up can help identify whether either of these factors may need to be addressed first.
How Do Dental Implant Costs and Denture Costs Compare?
Dental implant costs and denture costs can vary widely depending on individual circumstances, so this is generally something your dentist will discuss with you directly rather than provide as a fixed figure. Dentures typically involve a lower upfront cost than dental implants, though ongoing adjustments, relines, or eventual replacement may add to the cost over the years.
Dental implants often involve a higher upfront cost due to the surgical procedure, the implant itself, and the final crown or bridge. Because implants are designed to integrate with the jawbone, some patients find they require less ongoing adjustments than removable dentures, though this depends on individual oral health and proper care over time.
Neither option is automatically the right long-term choice for everyone. Regular dental check-ups remain important for denture wearers and implant patients alike to monitor oral health, jawbone density, and the condition of any remaining natural teeth.
A Considered Approach to Choosing Between Dental Implants and Dentures
Deciding between dental implants and dentures depends on your individual oral health, jawbone density, budget, and personal preferences. Both are established tooth replacement options, and neither is automatically the better choice for every patient. A dental check-up is generally the most reliable way to understand which option a dentist might recommend exploring further.
At Infinity Dental Care, we talk our patients through dental implant options and denture options, including whether bone grafting may be needed to support future treatment, so you can make an informed decision about your missing teeth.
Visit our Winston Hills dental clinic today, call Infinity Dental Care on (02) 9159 6237 or book an appointment online to discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from dentures to dental implants later on?
In some cases, yes, though this depends on your jawbone density and overall oral health at the time. Significant bone loss during years of denture wear may mean bone grafting is needed first. Your dentist can assess this during a consultation.
Do dental implants feel different from natural teeth?
Many patients describe dental implants as feeling similar to natural teeth once healing is complete, since they’re anchored into the jawbone rather than resting on the gums. Individual experiences can vary depending on the number of implants and their location.
What happens if I don’t replace a missing tooth at all?
Leaving a missing tooth unreplaced can sometimes allow neighbouring teeth to shift out of position over time, and the surrounding jawbone may gradually lose density. Not everyone experiences the same changes, and the impact can depend on which tooth is missing and your overall oral health. Your dentist can explain what may be relevant to your situation.
Could a dental bridge be an alternative to implants or dentures?
A dental bridge is another option for replacing one or more missing teeth, and it works differently again from implants or dentures. Bridges are generally fixed in place and rely on the surrounding teeth for support, rather than the jawbone or a removable base. Your dentist can discuss whether a bridge, implant, or denture may suit your circumstances.
Is getting dental implants or dentures fitted painful?
Local anaesthetic is generally used during implant placement and denture fittings, so discomfort during the procedure itself is uncommon. Some mild soreness or an adjustment period afterwards is common with both options. Your dentist can talk you through what to expect and how any discomfort is typically managed.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Healthdirect Australia. (2025). ‘Dentures’. Healthdirect Australia, February. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dentures
Healthdirect Australia. (2025). ‘Dental implant’. Healthdirect Australia, February. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-implant
Australian Dental Association. (n.d.). ‘Dentures’. Teeth.org.au. Sydney, NSW: Australian Dental Association. https://www.teeth.org.au/dentures
Better Health Channel. (n.d.). ‘Gum disease’. Better Health Channel. Melbourne, VIC: State Government of Victoria. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/gum-disease