If you are missing most of your teeth, you have two main options: traditional dentures or dental implants. Both can restore your smile. They are very different in how they feel, function, and hold up over time. This page compares the two head-to-head so you can make an informed decision.
Dentures are removable replacement teeth that rest on your gums. They are less expensive upfront but slip, accelerate bone loss, and need to be replaced every 5-7 years. Dental implants are titanium posts placed in the jawbone that anchor permanent teeth. They cost more upfront but feel and function like natural teeth, preserve jawbone, and are designed to last a lifetime.
A direct comparison across the dimensions that matter most to denture wearers and implant candidates.
| Traditional Dentures | Dental Implants | |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Slip and shift while eating, laughing, or speaking. Adhesive helps but does not eliminate movement. | Permanently fixed in the jaw. Never slip. Never come out. |
| Comfort | Sore spots, gum irritation, and pressure points are common. Need frequent adjustments. | Comfortable from day one. No pressure on gums. Feels like natural teeth. |
| Bone Preservation | Accelerate jawbone loss. Over time, your face takes on a sunken appearance. | Stimulate the jawbone the way natural tooth roots do. Help preserve facial structure. |
| Appearance | Can look artificial. As bone is lost, fit worsens and facial shape changes. | Custom-designed and shaded to look natural. Preserves your facial structure long-term. |
| Longevity | Must be replaced every 5-7 years. Daily wear, gum changes, and bone loss change the fit. | Implants designed to last a lifetime. Crowns/bridges occasionally maintained but the implants stay. |
| Ability to Eat Normally | Limited — hard, sticky, and crunchy foods become difficult or impossible. | Eat anything: steak, apples, corn, nuts, salads. Full bite power restored. |
| Daily Routine | Remove nightly. Soak. Apply adhesive each morning. Clean separately. | Brush and floss like natural teeth. No removing, no soaking. |
| Speech | Slipping causes slurring, clicking, or whistling sounds. | Natural speech. No clicking, no slurring. |
| Sense of Taste | Upper dentures cover the palate, reducing taste sensation. | No palate coverage. Full taste preserved. |
| Upfront Cost | Lowest upfront cost. | Higher upfront cost — 0% financing available, often comparable monthly to denture replacements over time. |
| Long-Term Cost | Replacement every 5-7 years plus adhesive, relines, and adjustments add up. | One-time investment in implants — typically more cost-effective over 20+ years. |
The only way to know for certain which option is right for you is a free consultation. We will examine your specific case, take a 3D CT scan, and tell you straight — here is what makes sense for you.
Most patients qualify for 0% financing. Break the cost of permanent teeth into manageable monthly payments. We accept all PPO insurance and apply every dollar of your benefits.
Payments as low as $25/mo*
*Based on $579 first-implant special with 24-month 0% promotional financing through CareCredit. Subject to credit approval. Larger treatments have different monthly payments.
Implant dentistry isn’t a side service at Pebble Beach Dental — it’s a core specialty. Both of our doctors have advanced training and years of experience placing and restoring dental implants for patients across Fair Oaks and the surrounding area.
GENERAL & IMPLANT DENTIST
Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
Dr. Atherly holds Fellowship from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists — one of the highest credentials in implant dentistry. He completed his dental training at the University of Pittsburgh as a Dean’s List graduate and recipient of the Robert Zugsmith Memorial Scholarship for Meritorious Academic and Clinical Achievements. He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and offers a full range of restorative options including dental implants, veneers, and Clear Correct.
GENERAL & IMPLANT DENTIST
DDS, Virginia Commonwealth University • BS, Brigham Young University
Dr. Erickson brings extensive restorative and implant experience, sharpened by clinical practice in ten different countries. As a former practice owner with experience in both general and pediatric dentistry, he brings a conservative, patient-first treatment philosophy to every implant case at Pebble Beach Dental in Fair Oaks.
Upfront, yes. Long-term, often not. Dentures must be replaced every 5-7 years and require adhesive, relines, and adjustments throughout their life. Implants are designed to last a lifetime. Over 20 years, implants frequently cost the same or less than multiple denture replacements.
Yes — this is one of the most common transitions we make at Pebble Beach Dental. Depending on how much bone you have left, you may go directly to implants or need bone grafting first. A free 3D CT scan tells us exactly which path is right for you.
Dramatically. Dentures sit on your gums and move when you eat or speak. Implants are anchored in the bone like natural tooth roots — they do not move. Most patients describe implants as feeling like having their own teeth back.
For most patients, yes. Implants preserve jawbone (preventing the sunken facial appearance dentures cause), restore full chewing function, and require no removal, adhesive, or special routine. They are also designed to last a lifetime versus dentures that need ongoing replacement.
Bone loss is common in long-term denture wearers — it is one reason dentures stop fitting over time. Modern implant techniques like All-on-4 use angled placement to work around bone limitations. If grafting is needed, that is also an option. Your 3D CT scan tells us what is possible.
From your first consultation to your final implant restoration: typically 3-8 months, depending on whether bone grafting is needed and whether you choose same-day temporaries. You are never without functional teeth during the process.
Many PPO plans cover a portion of implant treatment. We accept all PPO insurance and apply every dollar of your benefits at the consultation — plus 0% financing options for the remaining balance.
Your free consultation includes a 3D CT scan, an honest evaluation of your specific case, and a complete cost estimate with financing options. No pressure. No commitment.
© 2026 Pebble Beach Dental. | Privacy Policy | powered by RPM National
