If you’re missing several teeth, or all of them, the two options you’ll hear about most are dentures and dental implants. Both can restore your smile and your ability to eat. They differ in how they stay in place, how they feel, how long they last and what they cost.
At Berkeley Hills Dentistry, on Solano Avenue in North Berkeley, we help patients from Berkeley, Albany and Kensington weigh these choices every week.
Tooth replacement is one of our focus areas, and our team offers both traditional dentures and implant-based options. This guide walks through the differences so you can come to your consultation with clear questions.
How Dentures Work
Dentures are removable replacement teeth set in a gum-colored acrylic base. A full denture replaces every tooth in an arch and rests on the gums, held by suction and sometimes adhesive. A partial denture fills gaps between natural teeth and clips onto them for support.
Dentures are non-surgical, can usually be made in a few weeks, and cost less upfront. The trade-off is stability. Because they sit on the gums, they can shift when you chew or speak, and many people avoid hard or sticky foods. They also don’t stimulate the jawbone, so the bone under them slowly shrinks. Over time that changes the fit, and dentures typically need relining or replacement every several years.
How Dental Implants Work
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over a few months (a process called osseointegration). A crown, bridge or full-arch set of teeth is then attached on top. The implant works like a tooth root.
Because implants are anchored in bone, they don’t slip, they let you bite and chew with much more force, and they help preserve the jawbone where teeth are missing. A single implant also replaces one tooth without grinding down the healthy teeth next to it, as a bridge would. With good care and regular checkups, implants can last for decades.
The trade-offs: implants require minor surgery, the full process takes several months, and the upfront cost is higher. You also need enough healthy bone to support them, though bone grafting can often build it up.
Dentures vs. Implants at a Glance
| Factor | Traditional dentures | Dental implants |
|---|---|---|
| How they stay in place | Rest on gums; suction or adhesive | Fused to the jawbone |
| Stability when eating | Can shift with hard or sticky foods | Stable; chew most foods normally |
| Jawbone health | Bone continues to shrink | Helps preserve bone |
| Daily care | Remove, soak and brush nightly | Brush and floss like natural teeth |
| Treatment time | A few weeks | Several months, including healing |
| Surgery needed | No | Yes, minor oral surgery |
| Typical lifespan | Reline or replace every several years | Can last decades with good care |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Long-term cost | Ongoing relines, adhesives, replacements | Fewer replacement costs over time |
The Middle Ground: Implant-Supported Dentures
You don’t always have to choose one or the other. Implant-supported dentures (also called overdentures or snap-on dentures) attach a denture to a few implants, often two to four per arch. The denture snaps into place, so it doesn’t slip, and you need fewer implants than replacing every tooth individually.
For patients who want more security than a traditional denture but are looking for a lower cost than a fixed full-arch restoration, this is often the best fit. A fixed full-arch option, such as All-on-4, goes a step further: the teeth are permanently attached and only your dentist removes them.
Which Option Is Right for You?
The right choice depends on your oral health, budget and priorities. As a general guide:
Dentures may suit you if you:
- Want a non-surgical option or have health conditions that make surgery risky
- Need a lower-cost solution now
- Need teeth replaced quickly
Implants may suit you if you:
- Want teeth that feel and function most like your natural ones
- Want to protect your jawbone and facial structure
- Are in good general health, with healthy gums and enough bone (or are open to grafting)
- Don’t smoke, or are willing to quit during healing
The only way to know for sure is an exam with X-rays or 3D imaging, where your dentist can check your bone, gums and bite.
How Do Costs Compare?
Dentures cost less at the start. Implants cost more upfront but often need fewer replacements and repairs over the years. When you compare the two, look at the total cost over 10 to 20 years, not just the first bill.
Your cost depends on how many teeth are replaced, whether you need extractions or bone grafting, and the type of restoration. Many dental insurance plans cover part of a denture, and some now cover part of implant treatment.
We welcome patients with and without dental insurance and accept all PPO plans, including Delta Dental.
For costs insurance doesn’t cover, we offer financing through CareCredit, a healthcare credit card that can help with deductibles and treatment.
We accept cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. See our dental financing options, or call us with questions about your plan.
We’ll review your benefits and give you a written treatment plan before anything starts.
Why Berkeley Patients Choose Berkeley Hills Dentistry for Tooth Replacement
Our practice has cared for Berkeley families since 1926, and we’ve been on Solano Avenue since 1976. Today, Dr. Vagan Tapaltsyan, DDS, PhD, leads our team.
He earned both his DDS and a PhD in stem cell and regenerative medicine at UCSF, a background that informs how he plans implant and bone-grafting treatment.
He works alongside Dr. George Ibrahim, DDS, a graduate of the University of the Pacific, so patients have two experienced dentists caring for them in one office.
We offer the full range of tooth replacement in one office: traditional and partial dentures, implant-supported dentures, single-tooth implants and full-mouth implants.
That means we can recommend what fits you, not just the one option we provide. Patients come to us from North Berkeley, the Berkeley Hills, Thousand Oaks, Albany, Kensington and El Cerrito.
Find a Dentist Near You in Berkeley, CA
Berkeley Hills Dentistry 1760 Solano Ave, Suite 309, Berkeley, CA 94707 (Solano Professional Building, between Ensenada Ave and Modoc St) Call (510) 527-9564 · Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM AC Transit Line 18 stops along Solano Ave; North Berkeley BART is about a 15–20 minute walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Implants are more stable, help preserve the jawbone and usually last longer. Dentures are less expensive, non-surgical and faster. “Better” depends on your health, budget and goals, which is why an exam comes first.
Yes. Many patients start with dentures and move to implants or implant-supported dentures later. If you’ve worn dentures for years, you may need bone grafting first because the jawbone shrinks over time.
Implant placement is done under local anesthesia, and most patients say it’s more comfortable than they expected. Mild soreness for a few days is common. Ask us about sedation if you feel anxious.
Dentures usually need relining or replacement every several years as your mouth changes. Implants can last decades with good home care and regular checkups, though the crown on top may eventually need replacing.
Yes. Our Solano Avenue office is a short drive or AC Transit ride from Albany, Kensington and El Cerrito, and many of our tooth replacement patients come from these neighborhoods.
Yes. Street parking is usually easy to find on Solano Avenue and the nearby side streets, often right outside the Solano Professional Building. Some blocks have metered spaces or 2-hour limits, so check the posted signs; many meters accept the ParkMobile app