By Dr Max Rahman
If you've lost teeth, the big question is usually the same: dentures or implants? It's one of the most common conversations we have with older patients here in Wimbledon Village, and there's no single right answer. Both can give you back a confident smile and the ability to eat the things you love. What matters is matching the option to your health, your priorities and your budget. Here's an honest, side-by-side look to help you weigh it up.
The two options in plain English
A denture is a removable replacement for several missing teeth (a partial denture) or a whole arch (a full denture). It rests on the gums and, for partials, may clip to remaining teeth. It's the long-established, lower-cost route, and a well-made modern denture can look very natural.
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root, topped with a crown, bridge or denture. Implants are fixed, so they don't come out, and they're the only option that replaces the root as well as the visible tooth, see our dental implants in Wimbledon page.
There's also a middle ground many older patients love: the implant-retained denture, where a removable denture clips securely onto two to four implants, keeping the simpler cleaning of a denture but removing the slipping and rocking.
Side-by-side: how they really compare
The table below sums up the everyday differences our Wimbledon patients tell us matter most.
| What matters | Conventional dentures | Dental implants |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lowest cost option | Higher upfront investment |
| Held in place by | Suction, clasps or adhesive | Fused to the jawbone, fixed |
| Chewing power | Reduced; some foods are tricky | Close to natural teeth |
| Effect on jawbone | Bone shrinks over time | Helps preserve the bone |
| Day-to-day feel | Can move or rub; removed at night | Stay put; feel like your own teeth |
| Maintenance | Daily removal & soak; relines/remakes over years | Brush & floss as normal; hygiene visits |
| Typical lifespan | Often 5–10 years before remaking | Can last 20 years or more |
What it costs in Wimbledon
Cost is often the deciding factor, and it's fair to say dentures usually win on the upfront figure while implants win on longevity. We never quote a price without seeing you, but here are our real, transparent starting prices so you can plan realistically.
- Complete single-tooth implant, from £3,100 (implant from £2,000 plus crown from £1,100). See implant pricing.
- Implant-retained denture, a removable denture that clips firmly onto implants; contact us for current pricing.
- All-on-4 "Smile in a Day", from £16,000 per arch, often with same-day teeth. Full detail on our Smile in a Day in Wimbledon page.
- Conventional removable dentures, typically the lowest-cost route; we'll confirm your exact figure at your appointment.
Every price is confirmed in writing before anything begins, and 0% finance is available over 6–60 months to spread the cost. NHS dentures may also be available to eligible patients, the NHS sets out which treatments fall under each charge band.
Wimbledon is full of people who have no intention of slowing down. Walks across the Common, tennis at the local clubs, lunches on the High Street, hosting family during The Championships fortnight, these are exactly the moments a slipping denture can spoil. For active patients who want to bite into an apple without a second thought, fixed implants or a clipped-on implant-retained denture often suit the Wimbledon lifestyle best.
Comfort, function and bone health
This is where the differences become real day to day. A conventional denture rests on the gum, so it can move when you eat or laugh, may need adhesive, and is taken out at night. Because it doesn't replace the tooth root, the jawbone beneath it slowly shrinks, which is why dentures loosen over the years and need relining or remaking. The Oral Health Foundation has good plain-English guidance on living with dentures.
Implants, by contrast, are anchored in the bone, so they stay put and restore chewing power close to natural teeth. Crucially, they stimulate the jawbone much as a real root would, helping to preserve it and the shape of your face, one of the strongest arguments for implants in older adults wanting a long-term solution.
Not sure which is right for you?
Dr Max Rahman and the restorative team at The Dental Lounges Wimbledon will talk you through dentures, implants and everything in between, honestly, with no pressure.
Book a consultation Explore dental implantsIs age a barrier to implants?
It's a question we hear constantly, and the honest answer is: rarely. Age on its own is not a reason to rule out implants. What matters far more is your general health, any medication you take, your gum health and the bone available, all of which we assess before recommending anything. Many of our patients in their 70s and even 80s have implants and are delighted with them.
That said, implants aren't automatically right for everyone. If you have significant bone loss, certain health conditions, or you simply prefer the lower cost and simplicity of a removable option, a beautifully made denture or an implant-retained denture may serve you better. Good care from our general dentistry team and regular hygienist visits keep whichever option you choose in great shape.
Maintenance: what daily life looks like
Both options need looking after, just in different ways:
- Dentures, remove and clean daily, soak overnight, and expect occasional relines or a remake every several years as the gum and bone change shape.
- Implants, brush and clean around them like natural teeth, with regular hygiene appointments to keep the gums healthy. Wimbledon's hard water means we particularly recommend twice-yearly hygiene visits to manage mineral build-up.
- Implant-retained dentures, the best of both: take the denture out to clean, but enjoy a secure, non-slipping fit while it's in.
Whichever you choose, looking after your remaining natural teeth and gums underpins the success of any tooth-replacement plan, something our whole team in Wimbledon Village is here to help with.
Frequently asked questions
Age itself is not a barrier, general health and bone matter far more than the number on your passport. Many of our Wimbledon patients in their 60s, 70s and 80s do very well with implants, enjoying fixed teeth that don't slip and that help protect the jawbone. For some, a well-made denture or an implant-retained denture is the more sensible choice. The right answer depends on your health, bone, priorities and budget, which we assess at a consultation.
A complete single-tooth implant typically starts around £3,100 (implant from £2,000 plus crown from £1,100). An implant-retained denture is also available, contact us for current pricing. Full-arch All-on-4 "Smile in a Day" starts from £16,000 per arch. Conventional removable dentures are usually the lowest-cost option. All prices are confirmed in writing before treatment and 0% finance is available.
A conventional denture sits on top of the gum and doesn't replace the tooth root, so the jawbone underneath gradually shrinks over the years, which is why dentures often need relining or remaking and can feel looser over time. Dental implants are the only option that replaces the root and stimulates the bone, helping to preserve it. This is one of the main reasons some older patients choose implants or an implant-retained denture.
