Can You Get Dental Implants If You Already Wear Dentures?

If you’ve been living with dentures for years, you may be wondering if there’s a better option. Maybe you’re tired of dealing with slipping dentures, messy adhesives, or difficulty chewing your favorite foods. You’ve probably heard about dental implants and might be asking yourself: Can I still get implants if I already wear dentures?

The good news is, yes - you often can. Even if you’ve been wearing dentures for many years, modern dental implant solutions like the All-on-X procedure make it possible to replace dentures with a secure, natural-looking set of teeth. In this article, we’ll explain how dental implants differ from dentures, why many patients make the switch, what challenges denture wearers face, and how these can be overcome.

Dentures vs. Dental Implants: What’s the Difference?

Before deciding whether implants are right for you, it helps to understand how they differ from dentures.

Dentures

• Removable prosthetics that sit on top of your gums.

• Supported by suction, adhesives, or clasps.

• Can be full (replace all teeth) or partial (replace a few missing teeth).

• Do not replace the tooth root, which means the jawbone continues to shrink over time.

Dental Implants (All-on-X)

• Titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots.

• Support a fixed bridge of teeth (zirconia or acrylic) that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

• Preserve jawbone structure by stimulating the bone, preventing the sunken look often seen with long-term denture wearers.

• Provide permanent stability - no slipping, clicking, or need for adhesives.

Dentures replace the visible part of your teeth but do nothing for the bone underneath, while implants replace both the root and the crown, restoring full function and preserving oral health.

The Drawbacks of Long-Term Denture Use

While dentures can be a good solution in the short term, they often create new problems over the years.

• Bone loss: The American College of Prosthodontists reports that people can lose as much as 25% of their jawbone structure in the first year after tooth loss if it isn’t replaced with an implant. This bone loss continues gradually over time.

• Changes in facial appearance: With less bone supporting the facial structure, cheeks begin to sag and the jawline becomes more sunken, often leading to a prematurely aged appearance.

• Difficulty eating: Many denture wearers find themselves avoiding foods like steak, apples, or corn on the cob.

• Speech challenges: Slipping dentures can cause slurring, mumbling, or clicking sounds.

• Maintenance: Dentures need to be removed daily, can wear out in 5–7 years, and often require refitting as the jawbone changes.

The Benefits of Switching to Dental Implants

Upgrading from dentures to dental implants offers life-changing advantages:

• Natural look and feel: Implants closely mimic natural teeth in appearance, bite, and comfort.

• Permanent stability: No slipping, clicking, or embarrassment in social settings.

• Eat what you love: According to the Journal of Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, implants restore up to 90% of natural chewing ability, compared to only 20–25% with dentures.

• Bone preservation: Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing further loss and preserving facial structure.

• Long-lasting solution: With proper care, implants can last decades, often a lifetime.

• Improved confidence: Patients often report feeling more outgoing, comfortable smiling, and more satisfied with their overall quality of life.

Can Denture Wearers Still Get Implants?

Yes, but the journey depends on your bone health. After years of wearing dentures, some patients experience significant bone loss. The good news is that advancements in implant dentistry have made it possible for most denture wearers to qualify for dental implants even if bone loss has already occurred.

Options for Patients with Bone Loss

If you’ve been told in the past that you don’t have enough bone for implants, here are today’s most common solutions:

• All-on-X Implants: This advanced method strategically places implants at specific angles to maximize existing bone, often eliminating the need for bone grafts.

• Bone grafting: If bone loss is severe, grafting procedures can rebuild the jawbone, making implants possible.

• Zygomatic implants: In rare cases, implants can be anchored into the cheekbone instead of the jawbone for patients with extreme bone loss.

Only a qualified implant dentist can determine which option is best for you after a comprehensive exam, 3D imaging, and consultation.

Real Patient Story: Upgrading from Dentures to Implants

At Stubbs Dental, we’ve helped countless patients make the transition from dentures to permanent dental implants. One of those patients is Dana.

After 10 years of struggling with an uncomfortable upper denture, Dana finally found a permanent solution with All-on-X dental implants.

Every morning, Dana would spend 45 minutes trying to glue in her denture with awful-tasting adhesive that never lasted. She avoided smiling in photos, felt self-conscious in social situations, and had to be selective with what she ate. Her denture wasn’t just uncomfortable; it was holding her back from living fully.

After years of research, Dana knew she wanted dental implants. But multiple providers told her she didn’t have enough bone for the procedure until she came to Stubbs Dental.

With our expert team and advanced techniques, we restored Dana’s smile with All-on-X full-mouth dental implants, giving her a natural-looking and permanent solution. Now, Dana can eat the foods she loves, smile confidently in every photo, and enjoy life without limitations.

Why More Patients Are Making the Switch

The shift from dentures to implants isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about restoring your health, confidence, and quality of life. The International Journal of Prosthodontics found that patients with implant-supported teeth report higher satisfaction, better nutrition, and greater overall well-being compared to denture wearers.

It’s Time to Upgrade Your Smile! 

If you’re tired of the limitations of dentures, you don’t have to settle any longer. With advanced dental implant technology, even long-time denture wearers can often make the switch to a secure, natural-looking smile.

At Stubbs Dental, we offer complimentary consultations to evaluate your bone health, discuss your options, and determine if you’re a candidate for dental implants.

Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward a smile that looks, feels, and functions just like natural teeth.