How much does a set of complete dentures cost?

This page provides cost range estimates for complete dentures ("full" dentures) and denture relines. Use this link for information about partial denture prices.

In all cases, the price estimate given is for a single "unit," meaning an upper or lower denture. This means that the cost for a set of dentures would be in the neighborhood of twice the estimate we show.

Compete dentures (Full dentures).

The fee charged for having a complete denture made will depend upon which approach is used when it is fabricated, conventional or immediate.

How did we come up with this estimate? / Cost estimates for other dental procedures.

1) The term "conventional" refers to the situation where all of the patient's teeth have already been removed by the time denture construction is begun. All replacement dentures are conventional dentures. First-time denture placement might involve either conventional or immediate technique.

2) The term "immediate" refers the situation where, at that point when denture construction is begun, not all of the patient's teeth have yet been removed. Typically it is the patient's front teeth that remain. They are left so to provide the patient with cosmetic and function benefits while their denture is being made. At that point when the patient's new denture is ready, the dentist will extract the remaining teeth and 'immediately' place the new denture. The patient is never without teeth (always having either natural or 'false' teeth).

Some dentists categorize immediate dentures as transitional appliances (intended to be replaced in 6 months to a year after suitable post-extraction healing has taken place). Other dentists intend for their immediates to provide more extended service (years). In the latter case, as bone and soft tissue healing transforms the shape of the patient's jaws, relines will be needed. It is important for you to inquire about the costs (see below) associated with these relines.

Tooth extraction costs.

Some patients will require tooth extraction services before their dentures can be made or inserted. We provide cost range estimates for "pulling" teeth in our topic 'Tooth Extractions.'

Complete denture relines.

The "internal" surface of a denture, the side that rests on the gum tissue, is plastic. This means that as the shape of the patient's jaws change over time the denture's fit can be renewed by way of replacing this plastic. This process is termed "relining" a denture.

3,4) The terms "laboratory" and "chairside" refer to the technique by which the reline process is accomplished. When a laboratory reline is performed the dentist places impression paste in the patient's denture and then inserts the denture into the patient's mouth (thus capturing an imprint of the patient's gum tissue). The denture (with this impression in it) is then sent to a dental laboratory where a new internal surface for the denture is created.

With a chairside reline, a runny plastic is placed directly into the patient's denture. The denture is then seated into the patient's mouth. As the plastic hardens it captures the shape of the patient's gum tissue.

Each technique has it's own advantages and disadvantages. Clearly you'll want to discuss matters with your dentist about which approach is best for your situation. In general, laboratory relines take longer to complete (sometimes the dentist keeps the patient's denture until the next day) but the plastic used is very lasting. Chairside relines can be completed in just one office visit but the plastic that is placed is typically less durable.

Discount dentures.

As a way of making their services more affordable, some dentists offer different qualities of dentures. We've seen the words basic, economy, affordable, custom, and premium used to describe these various products.

Since most people know very little about how dentures are made, we'd like to describe this process (in brief) and explain how more "affordable" dentures may vary from the ideal.

Ideal denture construction. (The way your dentist learned to make dentures in dental school.)

The best denture is one that has been custom made for the patient. This process involves taking impressions of the patient's mouth, selecting a set of quality denture teeth specifically for that patient (teeth that have an appropriate size and shape), creating of mock-up of the denture (a 'set-up') where the denture teeth have been set in wax (representing the plastic portion of the denture) and can be moved and manipulated so they can be adjusted to have the proper bite and alignment, and then finally transforming the wax set-up into the actual denture itself (composed of a high-quality plastic).

Techniques used to make dentures more affordable.

Two ways dentists can make their dentures more affordable are to either use relatively lesser-quality materials or else take stock (pre-made) dentures and adapt them for the patient's use. In regards to these issues and matters, when considering a discounted denture you should ask your dentist questions so you know precisely what type of denture you are purchasing.

Ask about the materials being used to fabricate your denture.

Lesser-quality denture teeth typically don't offer the same "life-like" (translucent) appearance of higher-quality teeth. Also, they may be less resistant to wear and staining and may not come in as many available sizes and shapes (moulds).

In regard to the plastic that is used to fabricate the denture's "base," less expensive plastics may not be as color fast, as resistant to staining or fracture, or come in as many color shades as higher-quality denture plastics.

Is the denture custom or pre-made?

As a way of making their denture services both quicker and more affordable, some dentists will offer stock, pre-made dentures that they reline so to "fit" the patient.

A denture's function, stability and comfort are all substantially affected by both the denture's occlusion (the way the denture's teeth bite against opposing teeth) and the overall shape of the denture's plastic base. A technique where stock dentures are relined affords the dentist very little control over these factors. While cheap and quick, this type of product typically makes a very poor choice. (Ask the dentist if they would fit one of these dentures for their own mother.)