South Kensington
- 20 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3DL
- Open seven days a week
- 020 7183 2362
Treatment comparison · Wimpole Street, Marylebone
Implants or dentures: fixed teeth or a removable plate?
For anyone who has lost several teeth, or all of them, the fundamental choice is between something fixed and something removable. Implants anchor replacement teeth into the jaw so they stay put and work like natural teeth. Dentures rest on the gums and are taken out at night. Cost, surgery, comfort and how long each lasts all differ considerably, and a great many patients end up somewhere in between with an implant-retained denture.
Decision guide
Which is right for you?
Choose Dental implants if…
- You want teeth that do not move, come out or need adhesive.
- Chewing tough or crunchy food matters to you.
- You are in reasonable health with adequate bone, or willing to have a graft.
- You are prepared to invest more upfront for something that may last decades.
Choose Dentures if…
- You would prefer to avoid surgery, or your medical history makes it unwise.
- You need teeth replaced quickly and affordably.
- Significant bone loss would make implants complicated.
- You are comfortable with a removable appliance and the routine of cleaning it.
At a glance
Side by side
| Feature | Dental implants | Dentures |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed or removable | Fixed; anchored into the jawbone | Removable; sits on the gums, sometimes with adhesive |
| Feel | Close to natural teeth | Can feel bulky at first; most people adapt within weeks |
| Chewing power | Largely restored | Noticeably reduced compared with natural teeth |
| Expected lifespan | Fixtures often 25 years or more | Around 5 to 15 years depending on type; relines needed as gums change |
| Bone | Helps maintain jawbone | Bone beneath the denture continues to shrink over time |
| Appearance | Individually matched crowns | Modern dentures can look very natural |
| Timeline | Around 3 to 6 months including healing | Around 2 to 4 weeks from impressions to fitting |
| Fee at Wimpole Street | From £2,950 per implant including crown | From £795 for a partial acrylic denture |
| Daily care | Brushing and flossing as normal | Removed and cleaned daily; left out overnight |
| Best suited to | Patients wanting a fixed, long-term solution | Patients seeking a non-surgical, lower-cost replacement |
In the chair
What the treatment involves
Dental implants
Treatment begins with a 3D scan to assess bone and plan implant positions. Under local anaesthetic, one or more titanium fixtures are placed into the jaw; for a full arch, four to six implants can support a fixed bridge. Healing takes roughly three to six months while the bone bonds to the implants, during which a temporary tooth or denture is usually worn. Once integration is confirmed, connectors are fitted and the final crowns or bridge are made and secured. Where bone is thin, grafting may be needed first.
Dentures
Impressions or scans of the mouth are taken and the shade and shape of the teeth chosen. The laboratory produces a wax trial that is checked for fit, bite and appearance, with adjustments made before the final denture is processed. At the fitting visit the denture is adjusted for comfort and you are shown how to insert, remove and clean it. Options include acrylic partials, flexible Valplast partials, full acrylic dentures and cobalt-chrome frameworks, which are slimmer and stronger. A follow-up visit is normal to ease any sore spots.
Fees
Cost and longevity at Wimpole Street
A single implant with its crown at Wimpole Street will start from £2,950. Dentures start from £795 for a partial acrylic denture, from £895 for a flexible Valplast partial, from £1,095 for a full acrylic denture and from £1,395 for a cobalt-chrome denture. Full-arch implant work is quoted individually after assessment.
Dentures are the lower-cost route at the outset but typically need relining or remaking every five to fifteen years as the jaw changes shape, whereas implant fixtures frequently last 25 years or more. For patients who want stability without the cost of a fixed bridge, two to four implants can be used to clip a denture in place, combining the affordability of a denture with much better retention.
All prices are indicative and are confirmed in a written treatment plan at your consultation. Fees are the same at every Medical & Dental clinic.
Weighing it up
Strengths and trade-offs
Dental implants
Strengths
- Teeth stay firmly in place while eating and speaking
- Preserves the jawbone and facial structure
- Very long-lasting fixtures
- No adhesives, no removal at night
- Looks and feels most like natural teeth
Trade-offs
- Highest upfront cost
- Requires surgery and several months of healing
- Not suitable for some medical conditions or heavy smokers
- Bone grafting may be needed if bone has already been lost
Dentures
Strengths
- Lowest cost and no surgery
- Ready within a few weeks
- Suitable for almost everyone regardless of bone or health
- Easy to modify if further teeth are lost
Trade-offs
- Can slip, click or rub, especially lower full dentures
- Reduced chewing force and some foods become difficult
- Bone loss continues beneath the plate
- Needs relining or remaking as the mouth changes
- Daily removal and cleaning routine
FAQ
Common questions
Once teeth are lost the jawbone beneath them gradually shrinks, and a denture that fitted well on day one no longer matches the ridge a few years later. Relining restores the fit for a while; eventually a new denture is needed. Implants slow this bone loss because they load the bone the way roots did.
Most everyday foods are manageable after an adjustment period, but biting force is considerably lower than with natural teeth or implants. Very hard, sticky or chewy foods are harder, and lower full dentures are the most challenging.
People with uncontrolled diabetes, certain bone medications, heavy smoking habits, active gum disease or very little remaining bone. Some of these can be managed first; others make dentures the safer recommendation.
A removable denture that clips onto two or more implants rather than relying on suction and gums. It stays put during meals, is taken out for cleaning, and costs less than a fully fixed implant bridge. It is a popular middle ground.
Often yes. A scan shows how much bone remains; if it is sufficient, implants can be placed and either a fixed bridge or an implant-retained version of your denture made. Where bone has thinned, grafting may be needed first.
Yes. Implant and denture consultations are available now at our South Kensington and St Paul’s clinics with the same team, and treatment can move to Wimpole Street from 1 October 2026 if that suits you better.
Marylebone, W1
Wimpole Street opens 1 October 2026
Register your interest and we will contact you when the Marylebone diary opens. If you would rather not wait, the same clinicians can see you at South Kensington or St Paul's now.
Related treatments at Wimpole Street
Opening 1 October 2026
Wimpole Street is not yet seeing patients. Until then, please book or call our South Kensington clinic on 020 7183 2362 or our St Paul's clinic on 020 7183 3709. Questions about the new clinic: wimpolestreet@md.co.uk.
Until we open
Need an appointment before 1 October 2026?
The same clinical team already works from two other Medical & Dental clinics. Book at either one now and, if you prefer, move your ongoing care to Wimpole Street once the doors open.
St Paul's, City of London
- 5 Ave Maria Lane, London EC4M 7AQ
- Open Monday to Friday
- 020 7183 3709
