Lost a few teeth in the past couple years and finally had to choose between getting dentures or going for implants. I went with dentures ‘cause, honestly, the cost difference is huge and I wasn’t sure about the surgery at my age. But sometimes, they feel a bit awkward and I miss biting into an apple. Implants seem sturdier but I hear they can be a hassle too. Has anyone tried both? Which one actually feels more natural—or at least less annoying—day to day?
I’ve actually had both—started with dentures, then switched to implants a couple years ago. I get what you mean about the apple thing; dentures just never felt quite “locked in” for me, no matter how much adhesive I used. Implants are definitely pricier and the healing process takes patience, but once they settled in, I honestly forgot they weren’t my real teeth half the time. That said, cleaning around implants is a bit more work than I expected. If cost and surgery aren’t dealbreakers, I’d say implants feel closer to the real thing day to day... but dentures have their perks too, especially if you want to avoid a big procedure.
That’s interesting to hear about the cleaning part—I kinda assumed implants would be easier than dentures in that way. I’m still in braces (as an adult, ugh) and already obsess about keeping stuff clean, so that part makes me a little nervous. The idea of surgery freaks me out too, honestly. Dentures seem less intimidating, but I get what you mean about them not really feeling like your own teeth. Guess it’s one of those “pick your battles” situations...
I totally get the nerves around surgery—just the word makes me sweat a little. I’m with you on obsessing over cleaning, too. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever stop checking my teeth in every mirror I pass... It really does feel like a “pick your battles” thing, and honestly, there’s no perfect answer. Whatever you pick, you’re not alone in feeling anxious about it.
Whatever you pick, you’re not alone in feeling anxious about it.
Dentures here too—my “teeth” like to make a break for it if I sneeze too hard, which is always a fun surprise. Eating corn on the cob? Forget about it. But hey, at least I can soak them in a cup and pretend I’m in a cartoon. Implants sound less fiddly, but my wallet laughed at the idea.