A full set of top dentures typically costs around $1,800 without insurance, though prices range from roughly $1,500 to over $3,000 depending on the type, materials, and where you live. That figure covers only the denture itself. Extractions, fittings, and other prep work add to the total, so understanding the full picture helps you budget realistically.
Full Upper Denture Costs by Type
Traditional full upper dentures, the removable kind made from acrylic, average about $1,800 without insurance. This is the most common option for people missing all their upper teeth. The national average for a full set (upper and lower plates together) is around $1,968, with a range of $1,520 to $3,648, so a single upper plate will fall somewhere in the lower half of that range.
Immediate dentures, which are placed the same day your teeth are extracted, cost slightly more at roughly $1,900. You walk out of the office with teeth, but the tradeoff is that your gums will shrink as they heal over the following months. That means the fit will change, and you’ll likely need adjustments or a reline within the first year.
Partial Upper Dentures
If you still have some healthy upper teeth, a partial denture fills in the gaps rather than replacing the full arch. Pricing depends on the material:
- Resin base: around $1,500
- Flexible nylon: around $1,700
- Metal cast: around $2,000
- Interim (temporary): around $750
Flexible nylon partials are thinner and more comfortable for many people, while metal cast partials tend to be more durable and hold their shape longer. An interim partial is a short-term fix, often used while you’re waiting for a permanent solution.
Implant-Supported Upper Dentures
For a more secure fit that doesn’t rely on adhesive or suction, implant-supported dentures anchor to small titanium posts placed in your jawbone. They cost significantly more but feel closer to natural teeth.
A removable overdenture supported by two implants runs $6,000 to $10,000. These snap onto the implants for stability but can still be taken out for cleaning. A fixed option, where the denture is permanently attached to four or six implants (sometimes called All-on-4), ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 or more per arch. The fixed version doesn’t come out at all and functions much like a permanent set of teeth.
Implant-supported dentures for the upper jaw often require more implants than the lower jaw because the upper jawbone is less dense. That’s one reason upper implant work tends toward the higher end of these ranges.
Costs Beyond the Denture Itself
The sticker price of a denture rarely includes everything. If you need teeth pulled before your dentures are made, extractions add $70 to $250 per tooth for a simple removal and $180 to $550 per tooth for a surgical extraction. Someone having a full upper arch removed could face extraction costs of several hundred to a few thousand dollars on top of the denture price.
Your dentist will also take impressions, make adjustments to the fit, and potentially schedule follow-up visits. Some offices bundle these into the denture fee, while others charge separately. It’s worth asking upfront what’s included in the quoted price so you’re not surprised later.
Why Prices Vary So Much
Geography plays a real role. Dentures in a major metro area with high overhead costs will generally run more than the same work in a smaller city or rural area. The dentist’s experience, the dental lab they use, and the quality of materials all factor in as well. Higher-end dentures use more realistic-looking teeth and gum-colored bases that are custom-shaded to match your complexion. Budget options are functional but may look less natural.
Getting quotes from two or three offices in your area gives you a clearer sense of local pricing. Dental schools are another option, where supervised students perform the work at reduced rates.
What Insurance Typically Covers
Dental insurance typically covers 50% of denture costs, classifying them as a major procedure alongside crowns and bridges. On a $1,800 upper denture, that would leave you responsible for about $900 out of pocket. Most plans cap annual benefits between $1,000 and $2,000, so the cap may limit how much you actually receive.
There’s a catch for new policyholders: most dental insurance plans impose a waiting period before they’ll cover major work like dentures. This waiting period ranges from a few months to a full year, so signing up for a plan the week before your appointment won’t help. Some plans waive the waiting period, but they’re less common.
Medicare does not cover dentures. Medicaid coverage varies by state, with some states offering full or partial denture benefits and others offering none. If you don’t have insurance, many dental offices offer payment plans, and third-party financing through companies like CareCredit lets you spread the cost over several months or years.
Ongoing Costs After You Get Dentures
Dentures aren’t a one-time purchase. Your jawbone and gum tissue change shape gradually over time, which means the fit loosens. Most people need a professional reline every one to two years to keep the denture fitting snugly. A soft reline costs $150 to $400, while a hard reline runs $200 to $400. Soft relines use a more cushioned material and are often done for people with sore or sensitive gums.
You’ll also spend a small amount on denture adhesive, cleaning solutions, and a storage case. Budget roughly $50 to $100 per year for these supplies. And a full set of dentures typically lasts five to eight years before it needs to be replaced entirely, so the cost cycle eventually repeats.