Which is better between dentures and dental implants?

Dentures and dental implants are two common methods for tooth restoration, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. They cannot be directly compared and differ in functionality, comfort, impact on oral health, cost, treatment duration, and other aspects. Individuals can choose according to their specific needs. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Functionality: Dental implants can simulate the structure and function of natural teeth, providing stable support, making them nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth in terms of chewing and speaking. In comparison, although dentures can also restore chewing function to some extent, their stability and functionality are relatively weaker, and they are more likely to become loose or cause discomfort during chewing, affecting the overall user experience.

2. Comfort: Dental implants offer excellent comfort because the implant is directly embedded into the jawbone and integrates well with the surrounding tissues, making the foreign body sensation almost imperceptible to the patient during use. However, dentures, especially removable partial dentures, require attachments such as bases or clasps for fixation, which may cause a noticeable foreign body sensation and require an adaptation period for the patient.

3. Impact on health: Dental implants have minimal impact on oral health as they exist independently without relying on adjacent teeth for support, thus causing less wear and damage to surrounding teeth. Additionally, implants can effectively prevent jawbone resorption and atrophy, helping maintain overall oral health. In contrast, improperly designed or fabricated removable partial dentures may place certain burdens and cause damage to surrounding teeth, accelerating jawbone resorption and atrophy.

4. Cost: Regarding cost, dental implants are relatively more expensive, as they require advanced surgical techniques and high-quality implant materials, resulting in higher treatment costs. Dentures, on the other hand, are relatively more affordable, making them potentially more suitable for patients with limited financial resources. In the long run, dental implants offer superior long-term results and stability, which may make them more cost-effective.

5. Treatment time: The treatment cycle for dental implants is relatively longer, including pre-implant examinations, implant surgery, and subsequent restoration procedures. The entire process may take three to twelve months. In comparison, the treatment process for dentures is relatively simple and quick, with patients often completing dental restoration within a short period, such as one week. However, dentures may require regular adjustments and maintenance during use.

Regardless of which restoration method is chosen, it should be performed under the guidance of a qualified dental professional, and post-operative care and regular follow-ups should be conducted as instructed to ensure long-term and stable restoration outcomes.