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Dentures vs Implants: Pros and Cons

Dentures and implants both replace missing teeth, and they are not rivals so much as different tools. This guide sets out the pros and cons of each.

Key points

  • Complete dentures replace all the upper or lower teeth, partial dentures replace one or more, and implants are titanium posts in the jawbone that can carry a crown, a bridge, a full set or a denture.1
  • Dentures need no surgery and are quicker to make, but they can move or feel loose as gums and jawbone change.1
  • A lower denture held by two implants gave better comfort, stability, speech, chewing and satisfaction in the research.2
  • A review of 54 studies found implant loss was lower with fixed than with removable sets.6
  • The two are not rivals. A denture held by implants combines the steadiness of one with the convenience of the other.

If you have lost several teeth, or all the teeth in a jaw, the two main ways to replace them are dentures and implants. Dentures are removable false teeth. Implants are fixed in the jawbone, and they can carry a crown, a bridge or a denture. Many people end up combining them.

What dentures are

Complete dentures replace all the upper or lower teeth, and partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth.1 A full denture rests on the gums, and a partial denture may clip onto remaining teeth. It usually takes a few weeks for dentures to be made, and you are given another appointment for the fitting.1 Immediate dentures can be made within a few days, for example when teeth have just been taken out, but they often need adjusting or replacing up to a year later, because the mouth changes as it heals.1

You can read more on our dentures page.

What implants are

An implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone. It can carry a single crown, a bridge or a full set of teeth, or it can hold a denture steady. The bone needs about three to six months to bond to the post, and longer if a graft is needed.5 See our complete guide to dental implants for the details.

The pros of dentures

  • No surgery, so they suit people who cannot or do not want an operation.
  • Quicker, usually a few weeks to make.
  • Adjustable and repairable, so changes can be made as the mouth changes.
  • Suitable when there is little bone, because a denture rests on the gums.

The cons of dentures

  • They can move or feel loose. Gums and jawbone change with age, which can leave dentures loose.1
  • They need daily care. Brush them morning and evening with soft soap or washing-up liquid, not toothpaste, take them out at night and keep them in water or a cleaning solution.1
  • A sore mouth. Poorly cleaned dentures can cause a sore mouth. In 8 studies, between 1.1 and 36.7 percent of partial denture wearers had denture stomatitis, a sore, red mouth under the denture.4
  • Chewing may be limited, especially with a loose lower denture.

The pros of implants

  • They are held by the bone, so they do not move as a denture can. Once the bone has bonded, a new tooth can be used for biting and chewing much like a natural one.5
  • Fixed options exist, so you need not take teeth out at night.
  • The neighbouring teeth are not involved, unlike a bridge.
  • An implant-held denture is steadier. A lower denture held by two implants gave better comfort, stability, speech, chewing and satisfaction than a conventional lower denture in a review.2

The cons of implants

  • Surgery and healing time. The bone needs about three to six months to bond, and a graft adds at least four months.5
  • A small risk of failure, which is higher in smokers.
  • Maintenance. Gum around an implant can become inflamed, and parts can loosen or wear.
  • Cleaning demands. A fixed set must be cleaned beneath every day.5
  • Not for everyone. Untreated gum disease, some health conditions and too little bone can rule an implant out or delay it.5

What the research says on implant-held dentures

A review found that a lower denture held by two implants gave better comfort, stability, speech, chewing and satisfaction than a conventional lower denture.2 Another review found that the benefit in chewing was greatest for people with a very resorbed lower jaw or difficulty with ordinary dentures.3 In other words, the people who gain most are those who struggle with a loose lower denture.

A large review of 54 studies also found that implant loss was lower with fixed than with removable sets.6 Your dentist plans from your bone and your bite.

Combining the two

The choice is not always either-or:

  • A denture held by implants combines the two. It clips onto posts and you take it out to clean, and the clips can wear out.5
  • A partial denture with an implant at the back can steady it.
  • A fixed set carried by implants, with a small number of removable parts, if the plan calls for it.

See our guides on multiple missing teeth and bridges and implants for related choices.

How to decide

  1. How many teeth are missing, and where?
  2. How much bone do you have?
  3. What does your daily routine allow for cleaning?
  4. How do you feel about surgery and the time it takes?
  5. What is the plan if something fails?

Getting used to a new denture

A new denture takes time. In the first weeks, expect some soreness, extra saliva and a feeling of bulk. Speech can change slightly while your tongue and lips learn the new shape, and reading aloud helps. Eating is easier with soft food cut into small pieces, chewing on both sides at once and building up to firmer foods.

Sore spots are common and are usually easy to fix. The dentist adjusts the denture at a review visit, so go back for the adjustments instead of putting up with a rubbing area. Ask how often reviews are planned in the first months.1

Daily care for dentures and implant-held dentures

  1. Take the denture out after eating and rinse it under water.
  2. Brush it morning and evening with a soft brush and soft soap or washing-up liquid, not toothpaste.1
  3. Clean your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth.
  4. Soak the denture in a denture-cleaning solution as instructed, or in plain water.
  5. Take it out at night, unless your dentist advises otherwise, and keep it in water.1
  6. Clean the posts and clips of an implant-held denture as shown, because the clips can wear.

A denture that is cleaned well is less likely to cause a sore mouth, which affected many people with partial dentures in the studies.3

Mouths change, and dentures must follow

After teeth are lost, gums and bone continue to change shape, which is why dentures loosen over time.1 A denture may need relining to refit it, adjusting where it rubs or replacing when it is worn. Implants hold the denture more steadily, but the gum and bone around them also change, and the denture itself still wears. Whatever you choose, plan regular check-ups, and tell the dentist early if the fit changes, because a loose denture rubs and can make eating harder.

Myths and facts

Myth: dentures are old-fashioned. Many people use dentures successfully, and they remain a sensible choice for some.

Myth: implants are always the better choice. For some people, surgery or a long timeline is not suitable, and a denture is the better fit.

Fact: the two work well together. A denture held by implants combines the steadiness of one with the convenience of the other.

Which suits which person

Situation A common route
A few missing teeth, healthy neighbours A bridge or implants
Most teeth missing in the upper jaw A fixed set on implants, or a denture
A loose lower denture A denture held by two implants2
Limited bone, no wish for a graft A denture, or tilted implants in some cases
Surgery not suitable A denture

Making either work well

  • Dentures: keep them clean, take them out at night, see your dentist if they rub or loosen.1
  • Implants: clean around them every day, keep check-ups and do not smoke.
  • Both: report problems early.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have implants if I already wear dentures?

Often, yes. Implants can hold a denture steady, and your dentist will assess your bone and gums.

Do implants feel more natural than dentures?

A fixed set can feel more like natural teeth, because it does not move. An implant-held denture is steadier than a conventional one.

Are dentures a temporary solution?

They can be a long-term one. Many people wear dentures successfully for years, with adjustments as the mouth changes.

Do dentures need to be replaced?

Often they need adjusting or relining as the mouth changes, and sometimes replacing.1

Can I wear a denture over an implant?

Yes. An implant-held denture clips onto posts and is steadier than a conventional one.5

Do implants stop bone loss?

They hold the bone in the area of the post, but changes elsewhere can continue.

How do I know which to choose?

Ask your dentist what each involves for your mouth, and weigh surgery, time and care.

Can I sleep with my dentures in?

The NHS advises taking dentures out at night unless your dentist tells you otherwise, which gives the gums a rest and lets you clean the denture.1

Can I switch from dentures to implants later?

Often yes, but it depends on your bone and gums. Ask your dentist what is possible, and whether your present denture can be adapted to clip onto implants.

About the author

Portrait of Dr Anupam Sinha

Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics. BDS (2002), KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. MDS in Orthodontics (2006), SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad. His thesis work won a national research award in 2005, and he holds a certification in aesthetic dentistry. He sees patients at Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1, South Delhi. Read the full profile of Dr Anupam Sinha.

Sources

  1. NHS website. Dentures (false teeth) (patient information). Page review date 19 March 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dentures/
  2. Kutkut A, Bertoli E, Frazer R, Pinto-Sinai G, Fuentealba Hidalgo R, Studts J. A systematic review of studies comparing conventional complete denture and implant retained overdenture. Journal of Prosthodontic Research, 2018;62(1):1-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28666845/
  3. Fueki K, Kimoto K, Ogawa T, Garrett NR. Effect of implant-supported or retained dentures on masticatory performance: a systematic review. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2007;98(6):470-477. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18061741/
  4. Emami E, Taraf H, de Grandmont P, Gauthier G, de Koninck L, Lamarche C, de Souza RF. The association of denture stomatitis and partial removable dental prostheses: a systematic review. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 2012;25(2):113-119. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22371829/
  5. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Dental implants in restorative dentistry (patient information). https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/dental-implants-in-restorative-dentistry/
  6. Kern JS, Kern T, Wolfart S, Heussen N. A systematic review and meta-analysis of removable and fixed implant-supported prostheses in edentulous jaws: post-loading implant loss. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2016;27(2):174-195. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25664612/

Medically reviewed by Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics, on . General information for patients from Orion Dental Clinic, last updated 23 October 2026. It is not advice for one person, so ask a dentist what suits you. To report an error, contact us.