Implants vs Dentures in Lafayette

On this page

What is the difference between implants and dentures?
How do implants and dentures compare?
Do dentures cause bone loss, and can implants help?
Can your current denture be converted to implants?
What is recovery like if you choose implants?
What are the risks of implants and of dentures?
What affects the cost of implants vs dentures?
Care at Perio One
When to call us
What to expect
Common questions

At a glance

A conventional denture rests on the gums; implant-supported teeth are anchored to the jawbone.
Implants generally offer steadier chewing and speech than a denture that sits on the gums alone.
Bone under a denture tends to keep shrinking over the years; an implant helps hold bone where it sits.
Many existing dentures can be modified to snap onto implants rather than replaced outright.
Health and bone matter far more than age in deciding candidacy for implants.

What is the difference between implants and dentures?

A conventional denture is a removable plate of false teeth that rests on the gums, held by suction, adhesive or the shape of your mouth. Implant-supported teeth attach to posts placed in the jawbone, so they don't rely on the gums alone for support.

Implant-supported options come in two forms. A removable implant supported dentures snaps onto a small number of implants and comes out for cleaning, much like a denture but steadier. A full arch dental implants bridge stays fixed in place and is removed only by a dentist.

One fixed protocol some patients ask about by name is All-on-4® dental implants, which places four implants per arch in specific positions. It is one route to a fixed full arch, not the only one.

How do implants and dentures compare?

For chewing and speaking, implant-supported teeth generally stay steadier than a conventional denture, which can shift, click or need adhesive to feel secure. Comfort follows a similar pattern, since a denture presses on the gums while implants transfer chewing force into the bone instead.

Daily care differs too. A denture comes out every night for cleaning and to let the gums rest. A fixed implant bridge is cleaned in place with special brushes or a water flosser, while a snap-in implant denture is removable but attaches more securely than a conventional one.

Dentures and implant options compared
Question	Conventional denture	Snap-in implant denture	Fixed implant teeth
Stability when chewing	Can shift or click, especially on the lower jaw	Snaps onto implants for a steadier hold	Anchored in place, similar to natural teeth
Bone under the teeth	Tends to keep shrinking over the years	Implants help hold bone at their sites	Implants help hold bone at their sites
Covering the palate (upper)	Usually covers the roof of the mouth	May cover less of the palate	Often leaves the palate open
Daily care	Removed nightly and brushed separately	Removed for cleaning, snapped back in	Cleaned in place with brushes, threaders or a water flosser
Upkeep over the years	Relining or remaking as the jaw changes shape	Periodic checks of the attachments	Periodic checks of the implants and bridge
Surgery needed	None	Yes, to place the implants	Yes, to place the implants
Cost factors	Denture material and any relines or remakes	Number of implants and the attachment type	Number of implants and the bridge design

Do dentures cause bone loss, and can implants help?

The jawbone under a denture keeps thinning over time, mainly because there is no longer a tooth root inside it to keep the bone stimulated. A denture that fit well years ago can loosen as that bone gradually recedes, which is why relines and remakes are common.

An implant acts more like a root, and the bone around it tends to hold its shape better than bone left with nothing in it. Implants help preserve bone at the sites where they sit, but they don't reverse bone already lost. A dental bone graft may be needed first if years of denture wear have thinned the jaw significantly.

Can your current denture be converted to implants?

Often, yes. Many existing dentures can be adjusted or relined to snap onto a small number of implants, rather than remade from scratch, which can shorten the transition.

Whether conversion works depends on the denture's current fit and condition and on how much bone is available for implants. An exam and imaging show whether your denture is a good candidate for this route or whether a new one makes more sense.

Health and bone matter far more than age for candidacy in general. Many people in their seventies and eighties do well with implants when their gums are healthy and enough bone is available, sometimes after grafting.

Uncontrolled diabetes, smoking and certain medicines that affect bone can complicate healing, though they don't automatically rule anyone out. An exam is the only reliable way to know where you stand.

What is recovery like if you choose implants?

Expect swelling and tenderness for several days after implants are placed, with most people resuming normal activity within a day or two. You will typically wear a temporary denture or a fitted set of teeth while the implants heal over the following months.

A conventional denture, by comparison, needs no surgical recovery, though it takes some adjustment to speak and chew confidently in it.

If you choose implants, call us right away after surgery about a fever, swelling that spreads or grows, or bleeding that firm pressure doesn't stop. For anything severe, or trouble breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room or call 911.

What are the risks of implants and of dentures?

Implant risks include infection, an implant that fails to bond with the bone, and, in the lower jaw, nerve numbness that is usually temporary but occasionally permanent. Over the long term, peri-implant disease, an infection around an implant, is the main threat if maintenance and cleaning lapse.

Denture risks are different: sore spots where the plate rubs, looser fit as bone changes shape, and the ongoing task of relines or remakes. Neither option removes the need for regular checkups.

What affects the cost of implants vs dentures?

A conventional denture generally costs less at the start, while implant options add the cost of surgery, imaging and any grafting needed. Over many years, the comparison also depends on relines, remakes and maintenance for each option.

The number of implants used, if you choose an implant option
Whether a bone graft is needed first
Whether the final teeth are removable or fixed in place
The denture material and design, for a conventional denture
Ongoing relines, remakes or maintenance over the years
What your dental plan covers

Care at Perio One

At Perio One in Lafayette, we start with an examination, often with 3D cone beam CT imaging, before recommending implants over dentures, or the reverse. Dr. Randal Comeaux, DDS, Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, explains your bone and gum findings in plain language.

We coordinate with your general dentist, who often designs the denture or the final implant teeth, so both offices share one plan. Referrals are welcome, and our periodontal maintenance program supports implants once they are in place.

When to call us

A denture that slips when you eat or talk
A sore spot that has not healed in two weeks
A denture that feels looser each year
A denture that has not been checked in years

Our periodontists, Dr. Randal Comeaux and Dr. Lauren Langlois, can talk through what you’re noticing.

Call to schedule

What to expect

Examination and imaging
We review your gums, remaining bone and health history, often with a 3D scan if implants are being considered.
Your options, explained
Dr. Comeaux compares implants and dentures for your specific mouth and goals.
A shared plan
We share the plan with your general dentist, who often designs the denture or final implant teeth.
Implant placement, if chosen
Implants are placed during a minor surgery, and a temporary set of teeth covers the healing months.
Final teeth and maintenance
Your denture is converted or your final implant teeth are attached, then checked at regular maintenance visits.

Common questions

Are implants better than dentures?

Neither is better for everyone. Implants generally offer steadier chewing and help preserve bone, while dentures avoid surgery and cost less at the start. The right choice depends on your bone, health and daily priorities.

Can dentures be converted to implants?

Often, yes. Many existing dentures can be adjusted or relined to snap onto a small number of implants rather than being remade entirely, though this depends on the denture's condition and the bone available.

Do dentures cause bone loss?

Dentures themselves don't cause bone loss directly, but the bone under them keeps thinning once the tooth roots that once stimulated it are gone. That thinning happens gradually whether or not you wear a denture, though a loose denture can make it more noticeable.

Are implants more comfortable than dentures?

Many people find implant-supported teeth more comfortable, since they transfer chewing force into the bone instead of pressing on the gums the way a denture does. Comfort still depends on individual fit and healing.

Can you have implants if you have dentures?

Yes. Many longtime denture wearers go on to have implants placed, sometimes converting their existing denture to snap onto them. An exam and imaging show whether enough bone remains or whether a graft is needed first.

Sources

This page is general education, not a diagnosis. Your periodontist will recommend care after an examination.

Implants vs dentures: stability, comfort and upkeep