With rising costs on almost everything and many people’s budgets tighter than ever, patients looking for an affordable way to restore their smiles may be curious about whether they can afford the cost of dentures. The good news is that these durable, lifelike prosthetics are an excellent choice for people on a fixed income. But just like there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits all denture, there’s also no such thing as a one-size-fits all price for them, either. Here’s a closer look at three important factors that can affect the cost of your restorations, and how your dentist can help make this important treatment more affordable!
How Do Dentists Determine the Cost of Dentures?
Although all dentures may be designed to achieve the same goals, because they are customized to your individual smile and needs, there’s no way each pair can cost the same. That’s because due to your unique needs, your prosthetic can be tailored to the shape, size, color, and strength you prefer. You can even select the materials used for your restoration’s base and teeth!
Generally, the larger your denture, the more expensive it will be. Thus, a full denture’s cost will be higher than a partial denture, and an implant denture will have a bigger price tag than a removable restoration.
Most denture bases are made of a durable, realistic acrylic or resin that is color matched to the natural periodontal tissue in your mouth. Your prosthetics can also be made with metal mesh inside them to reinforce their strength, so they last longer and offer greater chewing stability. False teeth are typically available in acrylic resin or porcelain. While the former is more affordable, it is less durable, and the latter is stronger and more realistic looking, but naturally more expensive.
When determining the cost of your prosthetics, your dentist must take all these features into account first. Then, she can calculate your total.
Will My Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Most dental insurance plans consider dentures to be what is known as a “major procedure” and typically will cover about 50 percent of their cost. Any preliminary procedures necessary to get your mouth ready for your restorations such as gum disease treatment or tooth extractions are billed separately.
With dental insurance, you can expect your prosthetics to cost between $250 to $2,000 per denture, or between $500 and $4,000 for a complete set.
How Much Will Dentures Cost if I Don’t Have Dental Insurance?
For patients without dental insurance, the typical out-of-pocket range for dentures averages around $1,300, but this can be more or less depending on which features you choose for them. Here are some different styles of dentures and their approximate costs if paying without insurance:
- Low-Cost Dentures: These basic restorations generally run $300 to $500 for a single denture, or $600 to $1,000 for a complete set.
- Mid-Priced Dentures: These typically have a bit more features than low-cost dentures, and generally cost between $500 to $1,500 per denture, or $1,000 to $3,000 for a full set.
- Premium Dentures: These restorations are packed with features to make them look and feel more realistic, and usually cost between $2,000 and $4,000 a denture, or $4,000 to $8,000 for a complete set.
For patients who don’t have private dental insurance but would like to make their denture treatment more affordable by splitting up the total into multiple low or no interest payments, your dentist also welcomes flexible financing plans from CareCredit.
Remember, while there may be no way to quote you a one-size-fits-all price for your new dentures, the best way to get an accurate estimate for restoring your gorgeous grin is to visit your dentist for a consultation. During this visit, she’ll discuss your smile goals, show you your restoration options, and help you select a prosthetic that looks and feels as real as possible within your specified budget!
About Our Practice
At Dean Dental, Dr. Stacy Dean and Dr. Jessica Dean want to help restore your gorgeous, healthy grin with the help of durable, lifelike dentures! Whether you’re replacing an old pair, need prosthetics for the first time, or aren’t sure what to do to replace missing teeth, we’re here to walk you through the process every step of the way. To learn more about your tooth replacement options and find out how affordable dentures can be, schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website or call us directly at 724-204-5858.