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    FEATURED STORY

    What Most People Get Wrong About Dentures vs. Implants

    by Dr. Irays Santamaria


    It is frequently assumed that removable dentures are inherently more affordable than dental implants. This belief persists largely due to the difference in initial costs. However, when evaluated over time, the overall expenditure, functional reliability, and biological impact reveal a more complicated comparison. The truth is that dental implants, despite their higher upfront cost, may be the more prudent financial and clinical investment over the long term.
    Dentures require routine adjustments, periodic relining, and eventual replacement. The

    2 | HelloBoston, Massachusetts • Fall Issue

     
    Feature Graphic
    Dr. Irays Santamaria

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Dr. Irays Santamaria is one of the premier dentists in Boston. She’s received Boston Magazine’s ‘Best of Boston’ award and was also recognized as a Boston Magazine 2017 Top Dentist in her field of Prosthodontics. Dr. Santamaria earned her Doctorate in Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) and her certificate in the specialty of Prosthodontics, with honors, from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she was also a faculty member.

    materials deteriorate, and the underlying bone structure continues to change, causing the fit to loosen. These ongoing issues necessitate maintenance appointments and accessory products such as adhesives. Dentures may need full replacement every five to seven years, which accumulates both expense and inconvenience.
    Dental implants, on the other hand, are integrated into the jawbone through osseointegration. This biological process stabilizes the prosthetic tooth, preserving bone structure and providing a chewing function that closely approximates

  • Hello Boston, Massachusetts • Fall Issue | 3

     
    Rectangle

    What Most People Get Wrong About Dentures vs. Implants

    It is frequently assumed that removable dentures are inherently more affordable than dental implants. This belief persists largely due to the difference in initial costs. However, when evaluated over time, the overall expenditure, functional reliability, and biological impact reveal a more complicated comparison. The truth is that dental implants, despite their higher upfront cost, may be the more prudent financial and clinical investment over the long term.
    Dentures require routine adjustments, periodic relining, and eventual replacement. The materials deteriorate, and the underlying bone structure continues to change, causing the fit to loosen. These ongoing issues necessitate maintenance appointments and accessory products such as adhesives. Dentures may need full replacement every five to seven years, which accumulates both expense and inconvenience.
    Dental implants, on the other hand, are integrated into the jawbone through osseointegration. This biological process stabilizes the prosthetic tooth, preserving bone structure and providing a chewing function that closely approximates natural teeth. While the average cost of a single implant can be significant, particularly if additional procedures such as bone grafting are necessary, most implants last for several decades without the need for replacement. For many patients, the durability of implants offsets the original cost.
    Patients often underestimate the cumulative maintenance costs required to preserve removable denture performance.
    The clinical differences are also noteworthy. Removable dentures sit atop the gums, offering limited stability. They may impede speech and limit dietary choices due to their movement. Implants offer permanent support and do not shift under pressure, which often improves both function and self-perception. Furthermore, implants prevent the progressive bone loss that typically accompanies tooth loss, which dentures cannot do.
    Implants can help preserve facial contours that naturally diminish after prolonged tooth loss.

    The assumption that dentures are more economical than implants often ignores the long-term financial and functional drawbacks of removable prosthetics.

    natural teeth. While the average cost of a single implant can be significant, particularly if additional procedures such as bone grafting are necessary, most implants last for several decades without the need for replacement. For many patients, the durability of implants offsets the original cost.
    Patients often underestimate the cumulative maintenance costs required to preserve removable denture performance.
    The clinical differences are also noteworthy. Removable dentures sit...