The true cost of dentures
When a patient loses his or her teeth due to neglect or trauma, there is one solution that can restore the mouth. This solution is known as dentures. Dentures are used when a patient’s natural teeth are no longer present or healthy enough to support day-to-day activities. An experienced dentist will carefully evaluate the condition of the existing teeth, then create a dental appliance to replace missing or decayed teeth.
Dentures vary in cost, depending on the type of dentures and the size of the dental appliance or appliances. In this guide, we will break down some of the costs associated with getting dentures, including both removable and implanted denture types.
Factors Influencing Denture Cost
Dentures are made from a variety of materials and come in many configurations. Common materials for dentures include plastic or acrylic resins, porcelain, and metal. Dentures may be full or partial, depending on the number of teeth needing replacement. Some are made to fit over the gums and held in place with an adhesive paste or suction, while other are affixed to dental implants and may or may not be removable for cleaning. This dizzying array of configurations and materials can influence the cost of dentures.
How Much Do Dentures Really Cost?
In general, a basic to mid-range set of dentures runs between $600 and $3000. A set of premium dentures, made of superior materials and designed to replace an entire mouth of teeth, can run between $4000 and $8000. It can be useful to break down costs a bit further to see where your hard-earned money goes.
Basic dentures – these dentures are made of relatively simple materials and usually have limited warranties. They also do not fit as well as more custom-made dentures, and can have an artificial look. An individual plate (replacing top or bottom teeth) typically runs about $300-$500, and a full set can be as much as $1000.
Mid-range dentures – generally, these dentures look more natural, fit better, and come with a warranty of one to two years (or more). The per-plate cost varies between $500 and $1500, with a full set costing as much as $3000.
Premium dentures – these dentures offer a highly personalized fit and are made from premium materials to look and feel like natural teeth and gums. They also come with a warranty of five to 10 years, and the price may also include follow-up visits to fine-tune the fit of these dental appliances. Costs range from $2000 to $4000 per plate or up to $8000 for a full set.
It is important to understand that there are more costs associated with dentures than the dental appliances themselves. In some cases, teeth may need to be extracted, which can cost upwards of $650 per tooth if surgical procedures are needed. Other preparation work and lab fees can also add to the overall cost.
Dental implants, which are metal pegs that a set of removable or fixed dentures affix to, can vary in cost as well. There are traditional and mini implants; typically, the dentist will set two to six implants to support a denture plate. Taking into account all costs, including materials, types, and procedures, dental implants may run from $4000 to $30,000 for either the top or bottom of the mouth. A full set, replacing teeth on the top and bottom of the mouth, may be as expensive as $90,000 or even more.
To learn more about costs and what insurance options patients may have when selecting dentures, it is a great idea to speak to your family dentist. Your dentist can help you determine what type of dentures you need, what it will cost, and what is involved in the denture-fitting procedure.