7 things your dentist wishes you knew before choosing implants or dentures

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), implants offer a 97 percent success rate over 10 years, help preserve bone, and protect nearby teeth. Over the years, I’ve spoken to countless patients, some brimming with research, others overwhelmed by options. And time and again, I find myself saying the same things. Start with the basics, focus on what’s real, and choose care that truly fits your requirements,” says the expert.

Dr Shanker shares effective information and tips to help you choose between dentures and implants:

• Implants feel like your own teeth: If you’re after comfort and stability, implants win hands down. Fixed deep into your jawbone, they don’t shift, clatter, or wobble. After a few weeks, most people forget they’re even there. Dentures, though far more advanced than the clunky versions of the past, still rest on the gums. They may shift over time, especially as your jawbone changes shape with age.

• Dentures or Implants: Both implants and dentures can restore a smile. Implants are capped with crowns that resemble the look and colour of your natural teeth. Dentures too, if well-fitted, tend to look good. While implants offer permanent solution, dentures, when they loosen, might shift while you’re talking or eating.

• Missing teeth can affect your jawbone: This often catches people by surprise. The moment you lose a tooth, the bone beneath begins to shrink. This is because it no longer gets the stimulation that a tooth root provides. Implants imitate this root and keep the bone healthy. Dentures however, don’t. “This can subtly alter your facial contours and lead to that classic sunken-mouth look,” says Dr Shanker.

• Implants are low maintenance: If you like routine and prefer simplicity, implants fit in smoothly. “Just brush and floss like you would your natural teeth. Dentures need a bit more care, daily removal, overnight soaking, gentle cleaning. It’s not complicated, but it’s not effortless either,” says the dental surgeon.

• Not everyone is a candidate for implants: This is something your dentist should always check first. To get implants, your gums must be healthy, and you need enough bone density. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking habits, or poor healing, implants might not be ideal. In such cases, dentures are a practical, safer alternative, especially for elderly patients or those with other medical concerns.

• Dentures need replacing sooner: Implants may cost more upfront, but they’re built to last for at least a decade. You might need to replace the crown every 10 or 15 years, but the root stays put. “Dentures usually need adjustment or replacement every 5–8 years. Your jawbone keeps changing, and the fit changes too. So while the starting cost is low, the upkeep adds up,” Dr Shanker says.

• Cost vs convenience: Implants aren’t cheap. There’s surgery, scans, high-grade materials, all of which come at a price. But they’re also long-lasting, sturdy, and discreet. Dentures can be ready in weeks and cost far less. But over time, the need for realignment or complete replacement might tilt the budget.