A basic set of full dentures costs between $1,500 and $3,500 per arch, meaning a complete upper and lower set runs $3,000 to $7,000. But that range only tells part of the story. The total you’ll pay depends on the type of denture, how many teeth need replacing, whether you need extractions first, and the ongoing maintenance costs that add up over the years.
Full Dentures
Full dentures replace all the teeth in your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Traditional full dentures, the kind made after your gums have healed from extractions, typically cost $1,500 to $3,500 per arch. Premium versions with higher-end materials, custom shading, and metal-reinforced bases push that range to $2,000 to $4,000 per plate.
If you need teeth on both the top and bottom, double those numbers. A mid-range full set of upper and lower dentures lands most people in the $4,000 to $6,000 range before any additional procedures.
Immediate Dentures Cost More Than You’d Expect
Immediate dentures are placed the same day your teeth are extracted, so you never go without teeth. They’re convenient, but they come with a catch: your gums and jawbone change shape dramatically as they heal, which means the dentures that fit on day one won’t fit well six months later.
The upfront cost is similar to conventional dentures, roughly $1,500 to $3,500 per arch. But the first-year total is significantly higher because of what comes next. You’ll need multiple relines ($300 to $500 each) as your mouth heals, and most people end up needing a complete remake within the first year. Factor in adhesive costs, extra office visits, and a soft-food diet during healing, and total first-year costs for immediate dentures often reach $3,300 to $7,500 per arch.
Partial Dentures
If you’re only missing some teeth, partial dentures fill in the gaps while clasping onto your remaining natural teeth. The price depends heavily on the material:
- Acrylic partials are the most affordable option at $300 to $800 per arch. They work well as a temporary solution but tend to be bulkier and less comfortable for long-term wear.
- Flexible resin partials (brands like Valplast) cost $700 to $1,500 per arch. They’re thinner, blend in better with your gums, and feel more comfortable because the material has some give to it.
- Cast metal partials run $1,000 to $2,500 per arch and are considered the most durable option. A metal framework makes them thinner and stronger than acrylic, which is why dentists often recommend them for long-term use.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Snap-on dentures clip onto two to four small implants placed in your jawbone, giving you a much more stable fit than traditional dentures. The average cost is around $2,480 per arch, though prices range from roughly $1,900 to $4,700 depending on materials and location. That figure includes the implants and the denture itself, but preparatory procedures like bone grafting can add to the total.
These are removable for cleaning but stay firmly in place while eating and talking. For people frustrated by loose-fitting conventional dentures, especially on the lower jaw where traditional dentures tend to slip, the added stability can be worth the higher price.
Costs Before You Get Dentures
The price of the dentures themselves is rarely the whole bill. If you still have teeth that need to come out first, extractions add to the total. A simple extraction, where the tooth is visible and accessible, costs $70 to $250 per tooth. Surgical extractions for teeth that are broken, impacted, or harder to reach run $180 to $550 per tooth. If you need a full mouth of extractions before getting dentures, this step alone can add $1,000 to $4,000 or more to your total.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Dentures aren’t a one-time purchase. Your jawbone slowly changes shape over time once teeth are removed, which means dentures gradually lose their fit. Most dental professionals suggest evaluating your dentures after about five years of use, at which point you may need a reline or a new set entirely.
A soft reline, which adds a flexible cushion layer to improve the fit, costs $150 to $400 per arch. A hard reline uses rigid acrylic and runs $450 to $750. These are typically needed every few years. Repairs for cracked bases or broken teeth on the denture cost less than a full replacement but still add up over time. Budget for at least one reline every two to three years to keep your dentures fitting well.
What Insurance Actually Covers
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover dentures at all. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits that may partially cover dentures, but coverage varies widely. Plans differ in their annual dollar caps, cost-sharing percentages, and whether they cover only preventive care like cleanings or extend to major work like dentures. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check whether dentures fall under its dental benefit and what your annual maximum is, because many plans cap dental spending at $1,000 to $2,000 per year, which won’t cover a full set.
Private dental insurance typically classifies dentures as a major procedure and covers 50% of the cost after a waiting period, often 6 to 12 months. Annual maximums on most private plans hover around $1,000 to $2,000, so even with coverage you’ll likely pay a significant portion out of pocket.
Ways to Lower the Cost
Dental school clinics are one of the most reliable ways to save. Schools like Tufts University School of Dental Medicine charge 25% to 50% less than private-practice specialists. The work is done by dental students under close supervision from experienced faculty, and the quality of materials is the same. The tradeoff is longer appointment times and a more drawn-out process overall.
Community health centers with sliding-scale fees, dental discount plans (which aren’t insurance but offer negotiated rates), and financing through providers like CareCredit can also make the cost more manageable. Some denture chains offer package pricing that bundles extractions, dentures, and follow-up visits into a single quoted price, which makes the total easier to predict even if the per-item cost isn’t always the lowest.