Difference Between Partial Dentures and Dental Implants

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 29 Jul 2012 - Updated: 18 Aug 2021

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: Explains the differences between partial dentures and dental implants when replacing missing teeth.

Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

Introduction

When you are missing one or more teeth you will need to determine what tooth replacement option is best suited to your smile. There are myriad considerations your dentist will make, but one of the most popular tooth replacement options is dental implants. While partial dentures remain a good option, you should be aware of the differences between these two methods prior to making your final decision.

Main Content

Dental Implants

Dental implants are secured into your jawbone and act as a new tooth root. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. They are used to secure crowns (the parts of teeth seen in the mouth), bridgework or dentures by a variety of means.

Partial Dentures

Used when some natural teeth remain. Partial dentures are secured with wings to adjacent teeth. A removable partial denture or bridge usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A fixed (permanent) bridge replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This "bridge" is then cemented into place.

Key differences between partial dentures and dental implants include:

• Reliability: Dental implants are the strongest, most reliable form of tooth replacement available.
• Comfort: Dental implants are fixed firmly to the gums, eliminating any risk of slippage. Partial dentures can come lose, slip out of place, or fall out completely.
• Impact on adjacent teeth: Partial dentures rely on adjacent teeth for support which can damage your natural teeth. Dental implants do not rely on adjacent teeth, eliminating this problem.

Both of these options can restore a seamless appearance to your smile by replacing missing teeth with artificial teeth colored, shaped, and sized to fit precisely into their place. However, only dental implants can provide fully restored strength and function to your smile while preventing jaw shrinkage and collapse. For these reasons, many dentists recommend the type of dental implant as the best option for tooth replacement.

Of course, there is no one solution for every mouth. During your tooth replacement consultation with an experienced dentist the best option for your smile can be determined.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.