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Tooth loss can affect how you eat, speak, and feel about your smile, but you have options to restore both function and confidence. If you are weighing the pros and cons of dental implants versus dentures, this comparison will help clarify the benefits, costs, and long-term value of each.
Whether you are looking for a quick, budget-friendly solution or a more permanent, natural-looking option, knowing the key differences between implants and dentures can help you choose what fits your needs best.
Table of Contents
- What We Offer at Oral Facial & Implant Specialists
- What’s the Difference Between Dentures and Implants?
- Key Factors to Help You Decide
- Book a Dental Implant Consultation in Deer Park, IL
Key Takeaway
Dental implants offer a durable, permanent replacement with bone health benefits, while dentures provide a cost-effective, non-surgical solution. Consider your long-term goals, jawbone health, and budget when choosing the best tooth replacement option.
What We Offer at Oral Facial & Implant Specialists
At Oral Facial & Implant Specialists in Deer Park, IL, we provide dental implants, including:
- Single-tooth dental implants
- Implant-supported dentures
- Bone grafting procedures
You can expect expert care from our team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons:
Dr. J. Travis Thompson, DDS and Dr. Stephen Martin, DMD.
What’s the Difference Between Dentures and Implants?
Dentures are custom-made removable appliances, usually crafted from acrylic or a metal framework, designed to replace multiple or all missing teeth in a dental arch. They are often recommended for patients experiencing complete or partial tooth loss.
There are different types of dentures:
- Full dentures are used when all teeth in the upper or lower arch are missing.
- Partial dentures replace several missing teeth and fit around the remaining natural teeth.
Dentures help restore oral function, but they require denture adhesive, adjustments throughout your lifetime, and may impact your ability to enjoy your favorite foods.
Though traditional dentures are a more affordable, non-surgical alternative to dental implants, they do not prevent bone loss and may contribute to a gradual decrease in jawbone density over time.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Implant-retained dentures offer a more secure, long-term alternative. These dentures are anchored in place using dental implants, small titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone. The implants serve as stable anchors for the denture, improving comfort, function, and confidence.
Unlike traditional removable dentures, implant-retained dentures do not shift or require adhesive. They help preserve jawbone density by stimulating the bone, just like natural tooth roots.
To learn more about the cost of dental implants vs. dentures, read Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants vs Dentures in Illinois.
Key Factors to Help You Decide
Choosing between dentures and dental implants is a personal decision that depends on more than just cost. Your oral health, goals, and lifestyle all play a role.
Here are a few important factors to keep in mind as you weigh your options:
- Jawbone health: Implants need healthy bone. If bone loss is present, you may need grafting first.
- Number of missing teeth: One or two missing teeth? Implants are usually best. Full arch missing? Dentures or implant-supported dentures may be more practical.
- Lifestyle and preferences: Want stability, no adhesives, and a more natural feel? Choose implants. Need something quick and budget-friendly? Dentures may fit better.
- Long-term oral health: Implants protect the jawbone and reduce the risk of further tooth loss. Dentures do not stimulate bone and will lead to jaw shrinkage over time.
Book a Dental Implant Consultation in Deer Park, IL
Dentures and dental implants both offer reliable ways to replace missing teeth, but the right choice depends on your individual needs and priorities.
If you are looking for a long-lasting, stable solution that supports jaw health, dental implants may be the better fit. If you prefer something more affordable and quicker to place, dentures might make more sense. A consultation can help you weigh your options and choose the best path forward for your smile.
To book dental implant consultation at our oral surgeons office in Deer Park, IL, call (847) 381-0106 or visit us at 21660 W. Field Parkway, Suite 220, Deer Park, IL.