Losing a tooth — or several — affects more than your smile. It changes how you chew, how you speak, and over time, how your jawbone holds its shape. The good news is that you have more ways to replace missing teeth than ever before, each with its own balance of cost, comfort, and longevity. At Northwest Family Dental, we help patients across Lake Worth and Fort Worth weigh the three most common options: complete dentures, single dental implants, and implant-supported overdentures. Here’s how they compare.
Complete and Partial Dentures
Dentures are the time-tested, most affordable way to replace several teeth at once. A complete denture replaces a full arch of upper or lower teeth, while a partial denture fills in gaps when you still have healthy natural teeth.
- Complete dentures start at $999 per arch.
- Partial dentures start at $899.
Pros: the lowest upfront cost, no surgery, and a relatively quick timeline. Modern dentures look far more natural than the versions your grandparents wore.
Cons: because they rest on the gums, dentures can shift while eating or speaking, may need adhesive, and don’t stop the gradual bone loss that follows tooth loss. They also need to be removed and cleaned each night.
Single Dental Implants
A dental implant is the closest thing modern dentistry has to a natural tooth. A small titanium post is placed in the jaw to act as an artificial root, then topped with a custom crown. Our single-implant package is $2,498, which typically includes the implant, abutment, and crown.
Pros: implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Because the post fuses with your jawbone, an implant actually helps preserve bone and can last decades — often a lifetime — with good care. There’s nothing to remove, and neighboring teeth are left untouched.
Cons: a higher upfront investment and a longer timeline, since the implant needs a few months to integrate with the bone before the final crown is placed. Some patients need a little groundwork first (more on that below).
Implant-Supported Overdentures
What if you’re missing most or all of your teeth but want more stability than a traditional denture? An implant-supported overdenture is the best-of-both-worlds answer: a few implants are placed in the arch, and a denture snaps securely onto them. At Northwest Family Dental, a lower implant overdenture is $4,499 and an upper implant overdenture is $7,999.
Pros: dramatically more stability and bite strength than a conventional denture, no slipping, and far less bone loss — all for a fraction of the cost of replacing every tooth with an individual implant.
Cons: still requires minor surgery to place the supporting implants, and the denture itself is removable for cleaning.
Do You Need Bone Grafting First?
When a tooth has been missing for a while, the jawbone in that area can shrink. If there isn’t enough healthy bone to anchor an implant, a bone graft rebuilds the foundation first. At Northwest Family Dental, bone grafting starts at $299. Not everyone needs it — a quick exam and X-ray tell us whether it’s part of your plan.
Cost and Financing
Replacing missing teeth is an investment in your health, and we work hard to keep it affordable. Beyond our transparent package pricing, we offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit so you can spread payments over time. Many patients combine options — for example, an implant where it matters most for chewing, paired with a partial denture elsewhere.
Which Option Is Right for You?
The right choice depends on how many teeth you’re replacing, the health of your jawbone, your timeline, and your budget. Our two experienced dentists, Dr. Claudia Appiah and Dr. Brijesh Patel, will walk you through the trade-offs in plain language and build a plan around your goals — never a one-size-fits-all upsell.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dental implants last?
With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, implants can last 20 years or more, and often a lifetime. The crown on top may eventually need replacing, but the implant post itself is built to last.
Can I switch from dentures to implants later?
Yes. Many patients start with a denture and upgrade to an implant-supported overdenture down the road. We’re happy to map out a path that fits your timeline and budget.
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The procedure is done with local anesthesia, and most patients are surprised by how comfortable it is. For anyone who feels anxious, we also offer sedation options, and any mild soreness afterward is easily managed.
Explore Your Tooth-Replacement Options in Fort Worth
Ready to take the next step? Learn more about our dental implants, dentures, and bone grafting services, or call Northwest Family Dental at (817) 237-3232 to schedule a consultation. Proudly serving Lake Worth, Fort Worth, and the surrounding communities.