Meet Our Dental Team
Our experienced dental team is fully qualified and registered with the GDC, delivering safe, high-quality care in line with the highest professional standards.
Because our patients deserve nothing less.
When you need to replace multiple or all of your teeth, the two main options are dental implants and dentures. Both restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence — but they differ significantly in how they work, how they feel, and how long they last.
Dental implants are fixed, permanent replacements anchored into the jawbone. Dentures are removable prosthetics that rest on the gums. The right choice depends on the number of missing teeth, your jawbone health, your lifestyle, and your budget.
This guide compares both options clearly. The most appropriate treatment will always depend on a clinical assessment by your dentist.
| Feature | Dental Implants | Dentures |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Replace missing teeth with a fixed, permanent solution | Replace multiple or all missing teeth with a removable prosthetic |
| Stability | Fixed — anchored into the jawbone | Removable — rests on gums (may use adhesive) |
| Comfort and Feel | Feels like natural teeth | May feel bulky initially; adjustment period needed |
| Strength | Very high — full biting force restored | Moderate — reduced biting force compared to natural teeth |
| Durability | 25+ years / potentially lifetime | 5–15 years depending on type and care |
| Aesthetic Result | Natural — custom shade-matched crowns | Good — modern dentures look natural |
| Treatment Time | 3–6 months (including healing) | 2–4 weeks for fabrication and fitting |
| Cost | From £1,475 (member) / £2,950 | From £397.50 (member) / £795 |
| Longevity | 25+ years with care | 5–15 years with care |
| Best Suited For | Patients wanting permanent, fixed teeth | Patients seeking a non-surgical, affordable replacement |
Purpose
Implant
Replace missing teeth with a fixed, permanent solution
Denture
Replace multiple or all missing teeth with a removable prosthetic
Stability
Implant
Fixed — anchored into the jawbone
Denture
Removable — rests on gums (may use adhesive)
Comfort and Feel
Implant
Feels like natural teeth
Denture
May feel bulky initially; adjustment period needed
Strength
Implant
Very high — full biting force restored
Denture
Moderate — reduced biting force compared to natural teeth
Durability
Implant
25+ years / potentially lifetime
Denture
5–15 years depending on type and care
Aesthetic Result
Implant
Natural — custom shade-matched crowns
Denture
Good — modern dentures look natural
Treatment Time
Implant
3–6 months (including healing)
Denture
2–4 weeks for fabrication and fitting
Cost
Implant
From £1,475 (member) / £2,950
Denture
From £397.50 (member) / £795
Longevity
Implant
25+ years with care
Denture
5–15 years with care
Best Suited For
Implant
Patients wanting permanent, fixed teeth
Denture
Patients seeking a non-surgical, affordable replacement
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once the implant has integrated with the bone (a process called osseointegration, typically taking 3–4 months), a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture is secured on top. The result is a fixed, permanent tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
Our clinic offers dental implant treatment for long-term tooth replacement using biocompatible titanium fixtures. Implants are the only option that stimulates the jawbone, helping to prevent the bone loss that naturally occurs after teeth are lost. They can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or support a full arch.
Implants are suitable for patients with adequate jawbone density, good general health, and healthy gums. A bone graft may be required if bone has been lost. Smokers and patients with certain medical conditions may need additional assessment. Suitability is confirmed during a clinical consultation including a 3D scan.
Dentures are removable prosthetics designed to replace multiple missing teeth or complete arches. A partial denture replaces several teeth and clips onto remaining natural teeth for support. A full denture replaces an entire arch and rests on the gums, held in place by suction or dental adhesive.
Our clinic provides dentures for replacing multiple or missing teeth in acrylic, valplast (flexible), and cobalt-chrome materials. Modern dentures are custom-made for a natural appearance and comfortable fit. They are a well-established, non-surgical option — particularly suitable for patients who are not candidates for implant surgery or who prefer a more affordable solution.
Dentures are suitable for patients who have lost several or all of their teeth, those who are not candidates for implant surgery, those who prefer a non-surgical approach, or those seeking a more affordable tooth replacement option. Partial dentures require some remaining healthy teeth for support.
Implants are permanently fixed into the jawbone — they stay in place and are cleaned like natural teeth. Dentures are removable and must be taken out daily for cleaning and typically overnight.
Implants feel and function like natural teeth with full biting force. Dentures may move slightly during eating or speaking and can require adhesive for additional stability.
Implants stimulate the jawbone and prevent bone loss. Dentures sit on the gums and do not stimulate the bone, which can gradually resorb over time, potentially affecting facial structure.
Implants restore full biting force and are highly durable. Dentures provide moderate chewing strength but may limit the ability to eat harder or stickier foods comfortably.
Implants typically last 25+ years or a lifetime. Acrylic dentures last 5–8 years, valplast 5–8 years, and cobalt-chrome dentures 10–15 years before needing replacement.
Implants are maintained with standard brushing and flossing. Dentures require daily removal, soaking, and cleaning. They may also need periodic relining as the jawbone changes shape.
Both provide natural-looking results. Implant crowns emerge from the gum like natural teeth. Modern dentures are custom-made for a natural appearance, though the gum-coloured base may be visible.
Implants cost from £1,475 per tooth for members (£2,950 non-members). Dentures start from £397.50 (£795) for a partial acrylic. Implants cost more upfront but may be more cost-effective over a lifetime.
Costs vary depending on the number of teeth being replaced, the materials chosen, and the complexity of treatment. Below are our current prices for implants and dentures.
| Treatment | Member Price | Non-Member Price | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Implant (inc. crown) | From £1,475 | From £2,950 | 25+ years / lifetime |
| Partial Acrylic Denture | From £397.50 | From £795 | 5–8 years |
| Valplast / Flexi Denture | From £447.50 | From £895 | 5–8 years |
| Full Acrylic Denture | From £547.50 | From £1,095 | 5–10 years |
| Cobalt-Chrome Denture | From £697.50 | From £1,395 | 10–15 years |
Single Implant (inc. crown)
Member
From £1,475
Standard
From £2,950
Lifespan
25+ years
Partial Acrylic Denture
Member
From £397.50
Standard
From £795
Lifespan
5–8 years
Valplast / Flexi Denture
Member
From £447.50
Standard
From £895
Lifespan
5–8 years
Full Acrylic Denture
Member
From £547.50
Standard
From £1,095
Lifespan
5–10 years
Cobalt-Chrome Denture
Member
From £697.50
Standard
From £1,395
Lifespan
10–15 years
For a detailed breakdown of implant pricing, see our dental implant cost in London guide. Membership halves the cost of most treatments. A complimentary short consultation is available to discuss your options. Final costs are confirmed after a clinical assessment.
If you want teeth that feel permanent, never move, and function exactly like natural teeth, dental implants provide the most stable and secure solution available.
Dental ImplantIf budget is a primary concern, dentures offer a significantly lower upfront cost while still restoring your ability to eat, speak, and smile comfortably.
DenturesIf you want the longest-lasting solution that prevents bone loss and avoids future replacements, dental implants last 25+ years — potentially a lifetime with good care.
Dental ImplantIf medical conditions, insufficient bone, or personal preference make surgery unsuitable, dentures provide a proven, non-invasive alternative for replacing missing teeth.
DenturesThe best way to determine whether implants or dentures are right for you is with a personalised clinical assessment. Our dental team will examine your teeth, jawbone, and gums, discuss your goals, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. You can book a consultation with a dentist in London at a time that suits you.
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised dental advice. Individual diagnosis and treatment recommendations require a clinical examination by a qualified dental professional. All treatment outcomes depend on individual clinical factors and cannot be guaranteed. The suitability of dental implants or dentures is determined during a clinical assessment. Implant success rates are based on published clinical data and individual results may vary. South Kensington Medical & Dental is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and all practitioners are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
Our experienced dental team is fully qualified and registered with the GDC, delivering safe, high-quality care in line with the highest professional standards.
Because our patients deserve nothing less.
At South Kensington Medical & Dental, we are fully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the relevant UK regulatory bodies, including the GDC and GMC. Our dentists, dental nurses and medical professionals deliver care that meets the highest clinical, safety and ethical standards, because our patients deserve nothing less.
