Dentures vs. Implants: Which Is Right for You?
If you're missing teeth, or about to lose some. You've probably heard both pitches: dentures are affordable, implants are permanent. Both are true, and neither is the whole story. Here's the comparison we walk patients through in the chair, with real numbers, so you can decide based on your mouth, your budget, and your life.
The quick comparison
| Factor | Dentures | Implants |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (our office) | $1,200–2,400 per full arch | $3,200–4,200 per tooth, complete |
| Timeline | 2–5 weeks | 3–6 months (healing time) |
| Bone health | Bone slowly shrinks under them | Preserves the jawbone |
| Eating | Softer diet, some relearning | Eat almost anything |
| Cleaning | Removed and soaked nightly | Brush and floss like real teeth |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years, then replace or reline | Often 20+ years with care |
| OHP coverage | Sometimes, in qualifying cases | Generally not covered |
Cost: the honest math
At our office, a full traditional denture runs roughly $1,200–2,400 per arch depending on materials, and a complete single implant — post, abutment, and crown — runs $3,200–4,200 per tooth. Those numbers are intentionally set about 20% below what the typical Salem office charges, because published, lower prices are our whole pricing philosophy. But the sticker price isn't the full picture: a denture will need relines (about $350) and eventual replacement every 5–8 years, while a well-maintained implant is usually a one-time cost. Over 20 years, the gap narrows more than most people expect.
Timeline: weeks vs. months
Dentures are the fast path. From impressions to delivery is typically two to five weeks, and immediate dentures can be placed the same day teeth are removed. Implants take patience: after placement, the post needs three to six months to fuse with your jawbone before the final crown goes on. If you need a smile for a wedding in six weeks, that timeline matters.
Bone health: the part nobody mentions
Your jawbone stays dense because tooth roots stimulate it every time you chew. Remove the roots and the bone slowly resorbs, which is why long-time denture wearers notice their denture loosening and their facial profile changing over the years. Implants are the only replacement that acts like a root, keeping the bone stimulated and stable. This is the single biggest medical argument for implants, and it's strongest for the lower jaw, where dentures struggle most.
Daily life: eating and cleaning
With implants, you mostly forget you have them. You eat corn on the cob, steak, and apples, and you brush and floss normally. Dentures involve a learning curve: some foods need cutting up, a lower denture can shift when you talk or laugh, and the appliance comes out at night for cleaning and soaking. Plenty of our denture patients live happily with all of that. But it's a real difference, and you should choose it knowingly rather than discover it later.
The middle path — implant-supported dentures: two to four implants anchor a denture that snaps firmly in place, starting around $7,900 per arch here. You get most of the stability of implants at a fraction of the cost of replacing every tooth. For loose lower dentures especially, it's the single best upgrade in denture care.
Who each option suits
- Dentures fit best when budget is the deciding factor, when many or all teeth are already missing, when significant bone loss makes implants harder, or when you simply want teeth soon.
- Implants fit best when you're replacing one or a few teeth, want the closest thing to natural teeth, have reasonable bone volume, and can invest more up front for decades of service.
- Implant-supported dentures fit best when you need a full arch but a conventional denture — especially a lower one — won't stay put.
A note for OHP patients
The Oregon Health Plan covers full dentures in qualifying cases and reviews partials case-by-case, but it generally does not cover implants. If you're on OHP, bring your member number to a free consultation and we'll verify exactly what your plan pays before you spend anything.
Still torn? That's normal. This is a personal decision, and the right answer depends on an exam, not a blog post. Read more about dentures at our office and dental implants, then come in for a free consultation. We'll show you your own X-rays, lay out every option with written prices, and let you decide. Call (503) 555-0123 or book online.