If you’re missing teeth, you have more options today than ever. Maybe you’re missing just one tooth. Maybe you’re missing several teeth or have a full arch of missing teeth and are wondering what comes next.
The two most common restorative solutions we offer are dental implants and dentures. Both restore your smile and your ability to eat and speak, but work differently. The right dental restoration for you depends on your health, your budget, and your lifestyle.
At 615 Smile Design Studio in West Nashville, Dr. Kevin Sivaneri and Dr. Ashley Whetsell help patients understand their options without pressure. We’re here to help you walk you through dental implants vs. dentures in our Nashville dental office so you can make an informed decision.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that replaces the root of a missing tooth. We place it directly into your jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over time. This process is called osseointegration, and it creates a foundation that’s incredibly strong and stable.
Once the implant has healed, we attach an abutment and then a custom restoration on top. That restoration could be a single crown, a bridge, or a full denture. Because implants are anchored in bone, they look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
At 615 Smile Design Studio, Dr. Sivaneri works with top oral surgeons to place your implants. Once they’ve healed, he restores your smile right here in our office with metal-free and natural-looking materials.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable replacement teeth. They sit on top of your gums and stay in place through suction, adhesive, or clips. Modern dentures are made from high-quality materials that look natural and feel comfortable.
We offer several types of dentures at our Nashville office:
- Complete dentures replace all your upper or lower teeth.
- Partial dentures fill in the gaps when you’re missing a few teeth in different spots.
- Conventional dentures are placed after your gums have fully healed from any extractions.
- Immediate dentures are temporary dentures placed on the same day as your extractions, so you’re never without teeth during healing.
- Overdentures fit over any remaining natural teeth or dental implants to improve stability.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures use a few dental implants to hold a full denture securely in place. Instead of resting on your gums, the denture snaps onto the implants. You don’t need adhesive, and it won’t slip or click when you eat or speak.
This option is often the best of both worlds. You get the affordability and full coverage of a denture with the stability and bone-preserving benefits of implants.
At 615 Smile Design Studio, we can secure a full arch of teeth using just four to six implants with the All-on-4 method. Dr. Sivaneri and Dr. Whetsell coordinate your entire treatment, from implant placement through final denture delivery.
The Bone Health Difference
This is one of the most important differences between dentures and implants, and it’s often overlooked.
When you lose a tooth, the jawbone underneath no longer receives stimulation from chewing. Without that stimulation, the bone begins to shrink. This process is called resorption. Over time, it can change the shape of your face and make you look older than you are.
Traditional dentures rest on top of your gums and don’t stimulate the bone at all. That’s why denture wearers often need relines or new dentures every few years as their jawbone continues to change.
Dental implants work differently. Because they’re placed directly into the jawbone, they stimulate it the way natural tooth roots do. This helps prevent bone loss and preserves your facial structure. Implant-supported dentures offer this same benefit.
If you’re comparing your options, bone health is worth considering carefully. It affects not just your smile, but your overall facial appearance and long-term oral health.
Cost and Financing
We know cost is a major concern for many patients. Our office believes in being transparent about fees and helping you find ways to make treatment affordable.
Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for dentures. Implants are less consistently covered, but some plans offer partial benefits. We’re in-network with most PPO insurance plans and will help you understand your coverage.
We offer several financing options to help you spread the cost of treatment over time:
- CareCredit
- Alphaeon
- Lending Club
- Cherry
Our options let you break your treatment into manageable monthly payments. Ask our team about which option might work best for your situation.
Which Option Is Right for You?
There’s no universal answer. Any dentist who gives you one without an exam is guessing. But here’s a general guide:
Traditional dentures often make sense if you:
- Need to replace many or all of your teeth
- Want a faster, non-surgical option
- Have a tighter budget
- Have significant bone loss that would require extensive grafting for implants
Dental implants often make sense if you:
- Are replacing one or a few teeth
- Want the most natural, permanent result
- Are in good general health
- Want to preserve your jawbone and facial structure
Implant-supported dentures often make sense if you:
- Need to replace a full arch of teeth
- Want fixed, stable teeth without an implant for every tooth
- Want the security of implants with the coverage of a denture
- Need a middle ground between traditional dentures and individual implants
Schedule Your Restorative Consultation
You don’t have to live with missing teeth any longer. Whether you’re interested in traditional dentures, dental implants, or implant-supported dentures, Dr. Sivaneri and Dr. Whetsell are here to help.
Call our Nashville office at (615) 637-2878 or request an appointment online. We’ll examine your teeth and jaw, talk through your goals and budget, and give you an honest recommendation.
Our office proudly serves patients from West Nashville, Dickson, Antioch, Belle Meade, Forest Hills, Franklin, Pegram, and the surrounding communities.