"My denture keeps loosening and shifting, and it's uncomfortable every time I chew..."
"Implants are expensive and a bit frightening... which of the two is better?"
"I've hardly any teeth left — can someone like me even have implants?"
So many people looking into dentures and implants in Uijeongbu come in with exactly these worries.
Hello, I'm Dr. Choi Yong-seok, Director of Dr.Beauty Dental Hospital in Uijeongbu.
Today I'd like to compare dentures and implants from 6 angles — chewing force, stability, care, jawbone, cost, and suitability — and also cover the implant-supported denture (overdenture), which combines strengths of both.
Rather than one being the answer in every case, the method that fits better changes with the situation.
Just 3 minutes of your time should help you judge what suits your family.
1. How Different Are Chewing Force and Stability Between Dentures and Implants?
"Even with my denture in, I can't chew properly."
This is something people who have worn dentures for years say often.
Generally, the chewing force of a denture is known to be around 20 to 30 percent of that of natural teeth. Because a denture rests on and is supported by the gums, force is not transmitted well when chewing something firm.
An implant, on the other hand, places an artificial root into the jawbone where it is fixed, so it is known to allow chewing with a stability close to that of a natural tooth.
There is a difference in stability too. A denture can move or loosen depending on the state of the gums, whereas an implant is anchored in bone and tends to shift less.
Of course, how chewing feels and how satisfied someone is vary from person to person with the state of the gums and bone and how well they adapt.
In the clinic, patients who switch from long-term denture use to implants often say chewing has become more comfortable.
Because of this difference, many denture wearers find tough or hard foods burdensome and feel their diet is limited.
Conversely, with implants the sensation of chewing is closer to natural teeth, and many patients say the range of what they eat has widened.
✔ Denture chewing force is known to be around 20 to 30 percent of that of natural teeth
✔ Implants are fixed in bone and give stability close to natural teeth
✔ How chewing feels and satisfaction vary widely with gum and bone condition
The biggest difference comes down to what provides the support — gum or bone.
2. What Is an Implant-Supported Denture (Overdenture), and How Is Its Care Different?
"I don't want a denture and implants feel like too much... is there nothing in between?"
That is exactly when an implant-supported denture comes into consideration.
An implant-supported denture (overdenture) places a few implants and firmly secures a denture on top of them. Compared with replacing every tooth with an implant it reduces the number needed, while it is known to reduce the looseness and movement of a conventional denture.
There are differences in care as well. A conventional denture needs to be removed for cleaning and to let the gums rest, while implants are cared for like natural teeth with daily brushing and floss, plus regular checkups.
An overdenture effectively requires both kinds of care, so it is best to keep up both cleaning after removal and hygiene around the implants.
Which method suits you depends on your remaining teeth and jawbone condition, so an examination is needed to confirm.
For this reason, patients who feel that "dentures are uncomfortable but doing everything with implants is too much" often consider it as a middle option.
✔ An overdenture secures the denture with implants to reduce looseness
✔ Conventional dentures are removed and cleaned; implants are cared for like natural teeth
✔ Suitability depends on remaining teeth and bone condition
An overdenture can be a compromise between the burden of a denture and the stability of implants.
3. How Should I Weigh Cost, Age, and Gum Condition?
"There's the question of age and the cost worries me — what should I base the decision on?"
In practice this is the part people agonize over most.
On cost, it helps to look at national health insurance alongside. For those 65 and older, coverage applies to senior dentures once every 7 years and to implants for up to 2 per lifetime, with out-of-pocket cost reported at around 30 percent. The conditions and criteria may change with policy.
More important than age itself is the state of the jawbone and general health. Because implants are placed into bone, bone grafting may be considered alongside if bone is insufficient, and if there is a systemic condition such as diabetes, treatment proceeds after confirming how well it is controlled.
So rather than "implants no matter what" or "dentures no matter what," it is more realistic to decide by looking together at the number of remaining teeth, jawbone, general health, and ability to manage care.
For example, if hardly any teeth remain and bone is insufficient, a denture or overdenture may be the realistic option, whereas if only a few teeth are missing and the bone is in reasonable shape, implants may be advantageous.
That is why the answer can differ by situation even at the same age.
✔ From age 65, look into insurance coverage for both dentures and implants
✔ Jawbone and general health matter more than age
✔ It is best to decide considering remaining teeth and ability to manage care
In the end the answer isn't 'the better option' but 'the one that fits your condition better.'
If you're torn between dentures and implants in Uijeongbu, you can compare the methods first on our prosthetic treatment guide and Uijeongbu denture and implant page.
Key Takeaways
✔ Point 1: Implants are favorable for chewing force and stability, dentures for burden
✔ Point 2: An overdenture can be a compromise combining strengths of both
✔ Point 3: Decide by weighing jawbone, general health, and insurance — not age alone
I hope this helps anyone weighing dentures and implants in Uijeongbu.
Thank you for reading.
Dr. Choi Yong-seok, Director of Dr.Beauty Dental Hospital, Uijeongbu.
Dentures or Implants in Uijeongbu: How Different Is Chewing Force? A 6-Point Comparison
This article was written directly by Dr.Beauty Dental Hospital in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act. Individual results may vary, and side effects including gum pain, swelling, and discomfort during the adjustment period may occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are senior dentures covered by health insurance?
Those aged 65 and older are eligible for national health insurance coverage for senior dentures. Both complete and partial dentures qualify, with coverage applying once every 7 years for the same type, and out-of-pocket cost reported at around 30 percent. The eligible group and criteria may change with policy. For reference, when some teeth remain, implant coverage (up to 2 per lifetime) can be reviewed alongside, so which approach is advantageous shifts with the state of the gums. Whether you qualify and what it costs depend on your remaining teeth and gum condition, so it is a good idea to check dentures and implant coverage separately at your consultation.
When is an implant-supported denture (overdenture) used?
An implant-supported denture (overdenture) is mainly considered when a conventional denture keeps loosening or does not chew well and is uncomfortable. Because a few implants are placed to secure the denture, it is known to reduce the number of implants needed compared with replacing every tooth, while improving stability over a denture alone. It can also be an alternative for people who struggle to adapt to a conventional denture because jawbone is severely lacking or many teeth are missing. That said, bone conditions must be adequate to place implants, and suitability differs from person to person. It is best to confirm your remaining teeth and bone condition through an examination before deciding on a method.
How should I care for a denture?
It is best to remove your denture after every meal and rinse it under running water, and to clean it once a day with a denture-specific cleanser. Regular toothpaste is generally not recommended because its abrasiveness can scratch the denture surface. At night, remove the denture to let your gums rest, and store it soaked in water or cleaning solution so it does not dry out. Over years of use the gums change and the denture can loosen; rather than leaning heavily on adhesive at that point, it is safer to have it adjusted at the clinic. Care methods and replacement timing depend on the condition, so we recommend having it checked regularly.
Are implants always better than dentures?
Implants are known to be favorable in terms of chewing force and stability, but it is difficult to say they are better in every case. Because an implant is placed into the jawbone, bone condition and general health need to support it, and treatment duration and cost burden also have to be considered. Dentures, on the other hand, involve relatively less burden and are easier to apply even when many teeth are missing. So in practice it makes sense to decide by looking together at the number of remaining teeth, jawbone, general health, ability to manage care, and cost. Which method fits differs from person to person, so it is best to decide after an examination and discussion.
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