Dentures allow many people who have lost teeth to continue to eat and live life normally. A customized set of dentures can give you your smile back, allow you to chew most foods, and restore confidence if you’ve had significant dental problems in the past. However, dentures can also be fairly expensive.
Do you need dentures but are having a hard time figuring out how you’re going to pay for them? Dentures are more expensive if you have no dental insurance to help share the cost. Understanding all that you can about the procedure is critical to feeling more at ease with the whole process.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Dentures?
Dentures can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $20,000
Costs can vary depending on the type of dentures you need and the number of tooth extractions needed to make room for them. If you’re not sure what kind you need, head down to the Types of Dentures section to read up on that information.
The price of your dentures can depend on a number of factors, discussed further below. Dentures can also be made at different levels of quality; fully customized, high-quality dentures tend to have a much higher price tag than many of the lower cost options.
How much do dentures cost without insurance? While the cost of any dental procedure can vary based on city, state, and particular dentist, the cost of a full upper (or lower) set of dentures (excluding any needed extractions) ranges from $1,500 to $3,500 per set. If you need upper and lower sets, then it could easily be $3,000 to $7,000.
Once you get your dentures, there may be other work that you need to get over time. This can range anywhere from $100 to $1,200. How much are dentures when follow-up work is factored in? Adjustments are usually over $100 for each denture set, while repairs can cost closer to $500 or more. Relines, a repositioning of the denture, costs around $600 if it can be done in office and around $800 if done in a lab.
Follow up work on dentures can cost between $100 and $1,200
Factors to consider that can affect denture price:
- Insurance or dental plan status: The prices listed above refer to the price of dentures if purchased without any dental coverage. With a dental savings plan, the price can be significantly lower, as shown in the list of prices below.
- Type of dentures: Whether it’s a full or partial, the quality, and the material of your dentures can all affect price; for instance, acrylic dentures are often cheaper than porcelain options. Be sure to ask your dentist about pricing options when assessing your need for dentures, and to discuss whether your particular case requires a specific kind of denture. Since some offices have multiple levels of quality for dentures, or even their own brand of dentures, it’s not uncommon to see various pricing. Some dentists also offer package deals that include guarantees or lab fees as well.
- Follow-up work: As shown above, follow-up work can be costly. It can be difficult to say ahead of time how much follow-up work you might need to ensure your dentures are working properly for you, but this can also affect the total cost of dentures.
- Number of extractions needed: Sometimes, in order for dentures to fit properly, some teeth may need to be extracted. The price of an extraction can vary depending on factors like which tooth must be removed, your insurance status, and whether there are any complications. This can all contribute to the final price of dentures.
Why Do I Need to Get Dentures?
Your dentist may recommend dentures if you have significant tooth decay and tooth loss. Dentures are often a last resort. Most dentists want to help their patients save as many natural teeth as possible. However, if that’s not a possibility, dentists will recommend dentures.
Another option some may wish to consider is a set of dental implants. These are permanent teeth replacements for your mouth. They are much more expensive than dentures because each missing tooth is replaced by an implant. By replacing each tooth with an implant, the bone in the jaw is maintained. Though much more expensive, you can consider this as another option for replacing your teeth—you can read more about dentures vs. implants on our blog.
It’s also possible to get a combination of both with an overdenture or implant-supported denture. In this procedure, implants allow the denture to snap on to the implants so you will never have to worry about your denture slipping out. Traditional dentures rest on your gums and can put pressure on your jaw. Over time this causes the bone that holds the denture in to shrink. But the dental implant physically strengthens the bone where they are placed. The implant supports the denture and takes the pressure off the gum and bone.
Types of Dentures
There are two types of dentures we’ll mention here: complete dentures and partial dentures. The one you will need will depend on the condition of your teeth.
- Complete Dentures: These are needed when patients are missing all of their teeth in either the maxillary or mandibular arch.
- Partial Dentures: These are typically made to replace several teeth in a row, closing the gap and connecting them to the rest of your teeth. You slide them into place and then you can remove them as needed.
Below is some terminology you should know before getting dentures:
- Maxillary: The upper jaw
- Mandibular: The lower jaw
- Immediate Denture: Although somewhat self-explanatory, an immediate denture is put in the very same day as having natural teeth removed.
- Resin Base: Resin is a compound that’s used to anchor or stabilize either a figure, sculpture or other crafting object. Many dentists use resin material for fillings and dentures
Whether you need full or partial dentures, maxillary or mandibular dentures, or a specific resin base can all factor into the total cost. Be sure to ask your dentist which options they believe best suit your oral health, and how much they expect the dental appliance to cost. Denture prices are known to vary quite a bit from dentist to dentist.
Dental plans are one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the price of our dentures.
Ways to Save on Dentures
Because dentures are expensive, many dental patients look for ways to save. If you’re worried about the cost of dentures, consider these options that might help you save.
- Preventative care: The best way to save on dentures is to not need them in the first place. If your dentist has warned you that your oral health is in need of improvement, the best option you have is to follow their advice carefully, and try your best to keep your teeth for as long as you can.
- Review pricing options: As mentioned above, not all dentures cost the same. While certain factors might be out of your control—like which dentures your dentist deems are medically necessary for your case—other factors, like the particular dentist office you work with and the quality of the dentures you choose, can be sources of savings. Getting multiple quotes before committing is always a smart choice when considering major dental work.
- Ask about payment plans: Some dental offices may allow you to make payments on your dentures, rather than paying the full cost up front. While this might not lower the total cost, it can spread it out over time, making it more manageable.
- Invest in a dental plan: As you’ll see in more detail in the following section, dental plans can significantly lower the cost of dentures. Rather than asking, “how much are dentures?” and worrying about breaking your budget, a dental plan can help make high-quality dentures affordable.
More ways to save
To decrease the cost of dentures, many people consider using dental savings plans like the Care 500 Series Plan or the Dental Access Plan (powered by the Aetna Dental Access network). More personalized dentures are likely to vary from those rates. Specialists in our Care 500 Series network have agreed to a flat 20% off their prices, which may vary depending on the specialist you see. Add the Dental Access Plan to get 15-50% off at general dentists and specialists, which we recommend when seeing a specialist. Consider these an affordable alternative to insurance.
Denture Cost Takeaways
It’s important to keep in mind that the prices listed above only cover the cost of the dentures you need or any adjustments you may need to have. As your dentist prepares you for dentures, you may need additional work like tooth extractions. You can find the prices for tooth extractions on our website’s procedure price list under Oral Surgery.
Here’s what to remember before you go:
- Denture prices can vary depending on factors like the material and type of denture, as well as personal factors like the number of follow-up visits and your dental plan status.
- You can save by pricing multiple options, comparison shopping, and investing time in preventative care.
- Investing in a dental plan can also significantly reduce costs, making even high-quality dentures much more affordable.
If you are without dental insurance or have hit your annual maximum, consider these dental savings plans. They’ll help you cut costs and make this needed dental procedure more affordable.
Summary: Why is the Preferred Plan our
best selling plan for dentures?
- Best savings at general dentists AND specialists
- Exact procedure prices online with Care 500 Series
- Largest list of dentists with Dental Access
- Millions of members, in business since 1979
- Plan priced at an everyday low price, starting at $169 a year
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist with any questions you may have regarding your oral health.
