By Dr. Renu Saxena - Updated November 19, 2020
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.
In this post, we’ll cover denture costs, the factors that determine your exact denture price, and what you can do to save on dentures. Use the links below to navigate the article or read top to bottom for a thorough look at denture pricing.
Dentures can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $20,000 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.
There are a few factors to consider that can change how much dentures cost:
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.
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.
Below is some terminology you should know before getting 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.
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.
To decrease the cost of dentures, many people consider using dental savings plans like the Careington Care 500 plan or the Dental Access Plan (powered by the Aetna Dental Access network). While these are nationwide plans, you can see specific savings for the Care 500 plan in your area by entering your zip code below. Dental Access also provides 15-50% off per visit at general dentists and specialists. Consider these an affordable alternative to insurance.
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Note:The prices listed above reflect what you can expect to pay for standard dentures at a general dentist that accepts our Careington Care 500 plan. More personalized dentures are likely to vary from those rates. Specialists in our Care 500 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.
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:
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.
At first sight, you may have been discouraged when finding out how much braces cost without insurance. However, now you know there are a variety of ways you can save on this orthodontic treatment and make your smile goals a reality, even if you don’t have dental insurance. Whether you need to straighten your teeth or align your bite, braces can be affordable for any budget.
Sign up for one of our dental savings plans to start your savings on braces today
Dr. Renu Saxena is not your typical dentist. Yes, she's been in the field since 1996, has owned her own private practice and taught at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. But for Dr. Saxena, it's all about educating patients so they can take better care of their own teeth and understand their dental needs. You can catch up with her fun and helpful videos on Instagram, @talkingteethdds.
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.
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