If you’re missing teeth, you have probably narrowed it down to two options: dentures or dental implants. Both can give you a full smile again.
They work very differently, though, and the right choice depends on your jawbone, your health, your budget and how you want your teeth to feel ten years from now.
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth and more than 36 million have no teeth at all.
Replacing teeth is something prosthodontists do every day. Dr. Krysta Sellers is one of only two board-certified prosthodontists in North Dakota, and this guide covers what she walks patients through at a consultation in Bismarck.
You’ll learn:
- How dentures and dental implants work
- How they compare on comfort, chewing, lifespan, bone health and cost
- Where implant-supported dentures fit in
- Which option tends to suit which patient
How Dentures and Dental Implants Work
Dentures: removable teeth that rest on your gums
A denture is a removable set of artificial teeth set in a gum-colored acrylic base. There are two main types:
- Complete (full) dentures replace every tooth on the upper or lower arch. The upper denture holds by suction against the palate; the lower one rests on the ridge of the jaw.
- Partial dentures fill gaps when you still have some healthy natural teeth, clipping onto them with small clasps.
Dentures sit on top of the gums. Nothing is placed in the bone, so the treatment is non-surgical and usually finished in a few weeks. Learn more about our dentures in Bismarck.
Dental implants: new roots placed in the jaw
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Over a few months the bone fuses to the implant (osseointegration).
A custom crown, bridge or full-arch prosthesis is then attached on top.
Because the implant acts like a root, the new tooth stays fixed in place. You brush and floss it like a natural tooth. See how dental implants work at our office.
Before any implant is placed at Aesthetic Dental Center, Dr. Sellers maps your bone volume, nerves and sinuses with an i-CAT 3D cone beam CT scan and takes digital impressions with a 3Shape TRIOS scanner, so the implant position is planned around the final tooth.
Dentures vs Dental Implants: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Traditional dentures | Dental implants |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Can shift or click; adhesive often needed | Fixed in bone; no slipping |
| Chewing | Reduced bite force; tough or sticky foods are hard | Close to natural teeth |
| Jawbone | Bone keeps shrinking under the denture | Implant stimulates and helps preserve bone |
| Treatment | Non-surgical; weeks | Minor surgery; usually 3–6+ months total |
| Lifespan | Relines as the jaw changes; replacement every 5–10 years | Implant can last decades with good care; crowns may need replacement over time |
| Daily care | Remove, soak and brush nightly | Brush and floss like natural teeth |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Long-term cost | Ongoing relines, adhesives, replacements | Fewer ongoing costs |
| Taste & speech | Upper denture covers the palate; some people notice changes | Palate stays open |
Comfort and confidence
The most common complaint about full dentures is movement, especially with a lower denture. The ridge it rests on is narrow, and the tongue and cheeks push against it.
Many denture wearers avoid steak, corn on the cob, apples or nuts, and some feel self-conscious laughing or speaking in public.
Implants don’t move. Most patients say they forget which teeth are implants.
Bone loss: the factor most people don’t hear about
When a tooth is lost, the bone that held it no longer gets stimulated by chewing, and it slowly resorbs. A denture doesn’t stop this; pressure on the gums can speed it up.
Over years the face can look shorter and the lips can fall inward, and the denture fits worse and needs relines.
An implant transfers chewing forces into the jaw the way a root does, which helps preserve the bone around it. A systematic review of ridge resorption in denture treatment found the jaw ridge keeps shrinking over time in denture wearers.
This is a big reason prosthodontists often recommend implants for younger and middle-aged patients who have decades ahead of them.
Lifespan and maintenance
Dentures wear down and the jaw underneath changes, so expect periodic relines and a new denture roughly every 5–10 years. Daily care includes removing them at night, cleaning them and soaking them.
A well-placed implant, cared for with good home hygiene and regular cleanings, can last for decades. The crown or prosthesis on top may need repair or replacement after years of use. Regular dental cleanings help implants last.
Cost of dentures vs dental implants in Bismarck
Dentures cost less upfront. Implants cost more at the start but tend to need fewer replacements and adjustments, so the gap narrows over 10–20 years.
Your actual cost depends on how many teeth are being replaced, whether you need extractions or bone grafting, and which restoration you choose.
Aesthetic Dental Center accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield and offers CareCredit and Cherry financing so treatment can be spread into monthly payments.
The Middle Ground: Implant-Supported Dentures and All-on-4
You don’t have to pick one or the other. Implant-supported dentures combine both:
- Snap-on (removable) overdentures clip onto 2–4 implants. They stay put while you eat and talk, but you can take them out to clean them. This is a common upgrade for people whose lower denture won’t stay in.
- All-on-4 (fixed full-arch) implants use four or more implants to hold a full arch of teeth that stays in your mouth. Only your dental team removes it. Read more about All-on-4 implants in Bismarck.
Many patients who already wear dentures can convert to an implant-supported option. If bone has been lost, bone grafting may be needed first, which Dr. Sellers evaluates on the 3D scan.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Every mouth is different, but these patterns are a reasonable starting point.
Dentures may be the better fit if you:
- Want the lowest upfront cost
- Prefer to avoid surgery, or have health conditions that make surgery riskier
- Need a faster or temporary solution while you plan for implants
- Have significant bone loss and don’t want grafting
Dental implants may be the better fit if you:
- Want teeth that feel and function like your own
- Want to protect your jawbone and facial structure
- Are frustrated with a loose or uncomfortable denture
- Are in generally good health (controlled diabetes and former smokers can often still qualify)
- Want a long-term solution with fewer replacements
Heavy smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications and some medical treatments can affect implant healing. These don’t always rule implants out, but they need to be reviewed at your consultation.
Why Patients Across North Dakota Choose a Prosthodontist
Prosthodontics is one of the dental specialties recognized by the ADA’s National Commission. A prosthodontist completes about three extra years of training after dental school focused on replacing teeth: implants, dentures, crowns, bridges and full-mouth reconstruction. Learn more about what a prosthodontist does.
Dr. Sellers grew up in Bismarck and came home to practice because North Dakota has so few prosthodontists. Patients come from Bismarck, Mandan and Lincoln, and also travel from Minot, Dickinson, Jamestown, Williston and across western and central North Dakota for implant and denture care.
At Aesthetic Dental Center you’ll find:
- Board-certified prosthodontic care from planning to final teeth, under one roof
- 3D implant planning with i-CAT cone beam CT and 3Shape TRIOS digital scans
- IV sedation and nitrous oxide for patients who are anxious about treatment (see sedation dentistry)
- A separate consultation visit, so you can review your options and ask questions before committing to anything
- Massage chairs, Netflix and noise-cancelling headphones during treatment
