The main alternatives to dentures are dental implants, dental bridges and implant-supported dentures (sometimes called overdentures), and each suits different situations depending on how many teeth are missing, the health of your gums, bone and remaining teeth, your general health and your budget. If you don’t want conventional removable dentures, the first step is an assessment with a registered dental practitioner, who can tell you which of these options are suitable for you.
This guide gives a plain-English overview of each option, how they compare, and questions worth asking at your consultation.
Why people look for alternatives to dentures
People explore other options for many reasons – they may be worried about a denture moving when they eat or speak, want something that feels more like natural teeth, or simply want to understand every choice before deciding. There’s no single right answer. Removable dentures remain a common, practical way to replace missing teeth, and modern digital dentures have changed how they’re made. But it’s reasonable to want to compare.
Option 1: Dental implants
A dental implant is a small post, usually titanium, placed into the jawbone by a dentist or specialist. Once it has integrated with the bone, a crown is attached to replace a single tooth. Implants are fixed in place, so they aren’t removed for cleaning.
Things to consider:
- Implants involve surgery and a healing period, often over several months.
- You generally need enough healthy bone to support the implant; some people need bone grafting first.
- Certain health conditions, medications and smoking can affect suitability.
- Implants still need daily cleaning and regular professional check-ups.
- Replacing many teeth with individual implants can be a significant cost.
Option 2: Dental bridges
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by attaching a false tooth to the natural teeth (or implants) on either side of the gap. A conventional bridge is cemented in place and isn’t removable.
Things to consider:
- Bridges need healthy, strong teeth next to the gap to anchor them.
- Those neighbouring teeth are often prepared (reshaped) to hold crowns.
- They’re generally used for smaller gaps rather than replacing a whole arch.
- Cleaning under a bridge takes a little extra care, such as floss threaders.
Option 3: Implant-supported dentures
An implant-supported denture is a denture that clips onto, or is fixed to, a small number of implants placed in the jaw. Some versions can be removed for cleaning; others are fixed and only removed by a clinician. They’re often considered by people who have lost most or all of their teeth in an arch and want more stability than a conventional denture.
Things to consider:
- They still require implant surgery and healing time.
- Suitability depends on bone levels and overall health.
- The clips or attachments may need maintenance or replacement over time.
- They usually involve more appointments and higher cost than a conventional denture.
How the options compare
| Option | Removable? | Surgery needed? | Often suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable denture (full or partial) | Yes | No | One, several or all teeth missing |
| Dental implant with crown | No | Yes | Single or a few missing teeth, with adequate bone |
| Dental bridge | No | No (unless implant-supported) | Small gaps with healthy teeth either side |
| Implant-supported denture | Depends on type | Yes | Most or all teeth missing in an arch |
This table is a general summary only. Your own options depend on a clinical assessment.
Where digital dentures fit in
If you’ve decided a removable denture is right for you – or you’d like a removable option while you consider others – digital dentures are made differently from traditional ones. Instead of impression trays, a quick 3D intraoral scan of your mouth is used to design the denture on screen, and it’s then precision-manufactured in Australia. At smilogy, most patients go from scan to fitting in under 21 days, and your scan is stored so the denture can be reprinted if it’s lost or broken.
Published smilogy prices start from $1,450 for a full upper or lower denture and from $1,650 for a partial denture. See the pricing page for details, and read our digital vs traditional dentures comparison or our guide to what digital dentures are.
Questions to ask your practitioner
- Which options are clinically suitable for my mouth, and why?
- What does each option involve – how many appointments, and over what timeframe?
- What are the risks and ongoing maintenance for each?
- What are the estimated costs, and what might my health fund cover?
- If I start with a denture, would other options still be possible later?
Getting advice
Implants and bridges are provided by dentists and specialists, while dental prosthetists can advise on and make removable dentures. If you’d like to talk about digital dentures, you can book a free, no-obligation consultation at a smilogy clinic – find your nearest one on the locations page or learn more about smilogy digital dentures.
FAQs
I don’t want dentures – what are my options?
Depending on your situation, options may include dental implants, bridges or implant-supported dentures. A registered dental practitioner can assess which are suitable for you.
Are implants suitable for everyone?
No. Suitability depends on factors such as bone levels, gum health, general health, some medications and smoking. A dentist or specialist will assess this.
Can I have a denture now and consider implants later?
Many people do. Ask your practitioner whether that approach suits your situation and how it might affect future options.
Are digital dentures an alternative to implants?
They’re a different type of solution – a removable denture made with 3D scanning and digital design rather than impressions. Whether it suits you is something to discuss at a consultation.
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a registered dental practitioner.