According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth, and 120 million — or approximately 1 in 3 — are missing at least one tooth.
Missing teeth can affect more than a person’s physical appearance. The American Dental Association reports that people with missing teeth:
- Have a harder time getting a job
- Often experience chronic pain
- Tend to withdraw socially, which impacts their ability to make friends and find love
- Have difficulty eating and absorbing nutrients, putting them at increased risk for obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease and some forms of cancer
Cost was cited by the ACP as the top reason people didn’t visit the dentist more frequently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 50% of Americans don’t have dental insurance, and each visit can cost hundreds of dollars at a minimum. Managing missing teeth is more expensive.
The ideal way to deal with a missing to lost tooth is a surgical implant, but the national average cost for a surgical dental implant is nearly $2,000 per tooth, putting them out of reach for millions who need them.
Dentures are a less-expensive alternative to replace some or all of your missing teeth, but they can vary considerably in cost and quality and require periodic replacement and adjustment, says Dr. Tom McCarthy, a dentist of 47 years in Waukesha, Wisc.
“The general phrase, ‘You get what you pay for,’ holds true,” says McCarthy, who previously owned his own dental lab to manufacture dentures for his patients. The ADA puts the average cost of dentures at $1,700 per arch (everyone has an upper arch and a lower arch — so a full set of dentures costs an average of $3,400).
McCarthy says custom-made dentures that take three to six visits at a dentist's office is most likely to provide the best fit, durability, and appearance, while lower-quality dentures are more likely to chip, lose teeth, or dull with wear.
“The dentures should be closely adapted to the gums for a comfortable and stable fit that allows the patient to chew food with back teeth and show a beautiful smile with their front teeth,” says Dr. Julie Driscoll, a dentist in North Charleston, S.C.
Driscoll says a good set of well-fitting dentures should stay in with suction for most patients, though lower dentures may require some adhesive.
While there are numerous options for cheap dentures online and from denture shops across the country, Dr. Greg Grillo of Express Dentist, an emergency dental service based in Naselle, Wash., says it can be difficult to look at a denture and gauge its longevity. These are some things to look out for:
- Pink base shouldn't be paper-thin or have any cracks
- Teeth on a quality denture should look natural with some color variations and not like a pure-white, monochromatic pieces of plastic
Grillo says low-quality dentures made from economical acrylic may be more prone to breaking, often look fake, and may easily come off of the acrylic base.
He notes that poor-quality impressions can also lead to inaccurate models and ill-fitting dentures, so he advises against using at-home impression kits, even if the companies use a high-quality dental lab and have oversight by a licensed dentist.
“The quality of the impression that's used to make the denture models is critical, and it requires exceptional detail,” Grillo says. “There's significant room for error, which will affect the fit of the denture.”
He says dentures typically require one or more adjustments for a proper fit, and this may be difficult to manage without real-time, hands-on support.
McCarthy says that while cost is important for a lot of people who need dentures, when you are going to have the dentures for years, “quality should count a lot.”
Where to buy affordable dentures
Medicaid coverage for dentures varies by state (some states don’t cover dentures at all), and private dental insurance plans typically cover up to 50% of the cost, according to the National Association of Dental Plans.
Here are some more places you can find affordable dentures:
Affordable Dentures & Implants
As the name suggests, Affordable Dentures & Implants specializes in dentures and implants; they also do crowns. With about 400 locations in 42 states, they work to keep costs down by using minimal décor and buying supplies in bulk.
Most Affordable Dentures & Implants clinics use on-site labs to produce dentures, rather than sending them out to a commercial dental lab. That means you can typically get impressions and receive temporary same-day dentures, then come back when your final dentures are ready.
Affordable Dentures & Implants is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and boasts 4.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Thousands of positive reviews cite quality service and satisfaction with denture quality, though some negative reviews exist:
Affordable Dentures & Implants does not have a universal pricing model, so the cost of your dentures will vary from dentist to dentist and depending on the type of dentures you choose.
Here are some example prices from different clinics across the U.S.:
- Denture prices from the Affordable Dentures & Implants clinic in Dallas, Texas:
- Denture prices from the Affordable Dentures & Implants clinic in Harrisburg, Pa.:
- Denture prices from the Affordable Dentures & Implants clinic in Roseville, Calif.:
These prices do not include the cost of extractions.
Affordable Dentures & Implants also offers financing options for individuals who qualify.
Aspen Dental
There are more than 900 Aspen Dental practices across the country.
Aspen Dental’s website lists prices starting at $769 for a partial set and $1,649 for a full set of dentures. If you need to replace broken dentures, prices start at $299 per arch. You must request this offer during your first visit.
Aspen Dental also offers financing options with credit approval.
Aspen Dental has a B- rating with the BBB (not accredited) and only 1.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Reviews cite service issues and poor denture quality:
Community health clinics
Local, state, federal or tribal clinics might provide low-cost dentures on a sliding scale (or even free dentures) along with their general health care services.
Here are three resources to find clinics near you:
- The National Association of County and City Health Officials has a state-by-state database of clinics.
- The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics is just what it sounds like: a network of clinics that offer low-cost or no-cost health services.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers are community health centers that provide care based on your ability to pay. If a FQHC in your area provides dental care, see if you qualify for discounts.
McCarthy says local dental schools may also offer quality dentures at a reduced price.
Where to sell gold dental scraps for the most cash
Online dentures
It is possible to buy dentures online using an at-home impression kit. Most of these companies do not accept insurance, though prices tend to be lower because they don’t have as many overhead costs.
Driscoll says dentists typically advise against DIY impressions to ensure there is no sign of disease or other potential complications before new or replacement dentures are prescribed.
Dr. Rod Strickland, a dentist in Savannah, Ga., who is also the creator of a denture brand called the Denture Fountain of Youth, says at-home kits and online services will never achieve the same quality as dentures fitted in person by a professional.
“You need professional help to get them seated evenly and to deal with issues that will cause more sore spots, breakage, and that sunken-in denture look,” Strickland says.
If you are considering online dentures, it’s important to do thorough research and seek out real customer reviews (outside of those posted on the brand’s website).
These are some options for cheap dentures online, though not many outside reviews exist to substantiate denture quality:
Low-Priced Flexible Dentures
Partial dentures from Low-Priced Flexible Dentures cost $279.99 per plate, and a full set costs $499.99. Answer a few questions online, and order an impression kit for $39.99. Once you send in your impressions and order your dentures, they’ll be fabricated and sent to you within about two weeks.
Low-Priced Flexible Dentures is not BBB rated, and the only reviews are in comments on its Facebook page.
Dentures Online
Dentures Online only provides full-plated dentures. Their dental impression kits cost $145 (you’ll have to purchase upper and lower kits separately), and their finished dentures cost $150 per plate.
Dentures Online is run by a company called WorldDenturesLab, LLC, with a physical address in Pennsylvania. WorldDenturesLab is not BBB rated but has 3 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau website.
DentKits
DentKits offers single-tooth flippers and nesbits for $299 and full dentures starting at $449 per plate. Product turnaround ranges from 3 to 8 weeks after impressions are received, depending on the type of dentures you order.
DentKits has an F rating (not accredited) and no reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.
Online Denture Smile
Online Denture Smile offers partial dentures that cost $279.98 per plate or $499.98 for a full set of dentures. Impression kits cost $39.98. Once you send in your impressions and order your dentures, they’ll be fabricated and sent to you within about two weeks.
Online Denture Smile appears to be owned by the same company as Low-Priced Flexible Dentures (they have similar phone numbers and repeat website text).
Search for “affordable dentures near me”
If you want to find “affordable dentures near me,” you can Google to see if any clinics or providers offer low-cost dentures nearby:
Search “free dentures near me”
Doing a similar search for “free dentures near me” will likely bring up dental insurance options and local charitable organizations or government assistance programs that provide free or low-cost dentures in your area.
Types of dentures
Flippers
Flippers are meant to replace one or two missing teeth in a person’s mouth and are attached to a removable retainer that fits along the roof of your mouth, creating the appearance of a full smile.
Nesbits
Nesbit dentures are used to replace missing molars in the back of the mouth to assist with chewing.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures are for people missing only one or a few teeth. The replacement teeth are set in plastic “gums” and usually have a metal component to connect them to nearby teeth.
Complete dentures
Complete dentures replace an entire arch of teeth (upper or lower, or both) and their surrounding tissues.
Immediate dentures
Immediate dentures are temporary teeth you get the same day your natural teeth are pulled. It can take several months for your mouth to heal enough to get permanent dentures.
Costs of dentures: How much do dentures generally cost?
Prices vary widely by location and based on the material used to create your dentures. A dentist in Manhattan or San Francisco is likely to charge more than a dentist in a less populated area.
Each patient’s situation is different, as well. For example, if you already have missing teeth, then you won’t have to pay for them to be pulled. You also won’t have to pay for same-day dentures to wear until your mouth has healed enough to get permanent ones.
Dental insurance may cover up to 50% of your dentures cost. In some states, Medicaid might pay for your entire set of dentures.
According to the American Dental Association 2020 Survey of Dental Fees, these are the average costs for different types of dentures:
Cost of flippers and nesbits
- $192.60 per tooth
Cost of partial dentures
- Upper partial denture (resin base) – $1,338.52
- Lower partial denture (resin base) – $1,350.62
- Upper partial denture (cast metal framework with resin base) – $1,809.27
- Lower partial denture (cast metal framework with resin base) – $1,811.46
- Upper partial denture (flexible base) – $1,503.04
- Lower partial denture (flexible base) – $1,498.05
Cost of complete dentures
- Complete upper denture – $1,739.91
- Complete lower denture – $1,737.49
Cost of immediate dentures
- Upper immediate denture – $1,852.49
- Lower immediate denture – $1,850.74
- Upper immediate partial denture (resin base) – $1,352.90
- Lower immediate partial denture (resin base) – $1,354.47
- Upper immediate partial denture (cast metal framework with resin base) – $1,701.10
- Lower immediate partial denture (cast metal framework with resin base) – $1,725.42
FAQs about dentures:
What type of dentures are the best?
Driscoll says implant-supported dentures are best, but their cost can be prohibitive. Dental implant surgery costs an average $2,000 per tooth, according to the ADA.
Implant-supported dentures are surgically attached to a patient’s jawbone tissue with a metal prosthetic called a post. These posts have to fuse into the patient’s jawbone (a process that usually takes 3 to 6 months) before a permanent crown tooth is attached to the top part of the prosthetic. Implant patients wear temporary teeth while their implants heal.
Dental implants are considered a permanent tooth replacement and cannot be removed without the assistance of a dentist or oral surgeon.
Driscoll says a good, affordable set of dentures is a great option both in the long term and in the short term if a patient is saving up money to pay for implants in the future.
Strickland says even with high-quality dentures, expectations are key. Because dentures are a floating piece of plastic in your mouth, their fit, function, and comfort will probably never feel like your own teeth.
“When I hear, ‘What kind of dentures are the best?’ and the next question is about how little they can pay for them, I get concerned,” Strickland says. “You can get low-cost dentures all over, but you need to measure your expectations for the look, material quality, fit, and longevity.”
He says some low-quality denture mills use a small, medium, or large approach that won’t fit as comfortably as a custom set.
What are dentures made of?
Dentures are typically made of acrylic resin for both the gums and the teeth, Driscoll says. Partial dentures may also include cast metal framework.
While denture teeth were historically made from porcelain, most modern dentures use acrylic or plastic teeth.
“These teeth have more flexure and therefore do not transfer as much pressure to the underlying tissue and bone as porcelain teeth,” Driscoll says.
She says acrylic teeth:
- Bond better to the denture base because they are made of more similar material
- Are less prone to chipping (porcelain teeth are more brittle and prone to fracture)
- Weigh less than porcelain teeth, making it easier to speak and keep dentures in place without “clicking” when eating or speaking
Can I get my teeth pulled and dentures in the same day?
Yes you can get your teeth pulled and dentures in the same day, but those dentures won’t be permanent. Same-day or immediate dentures are worn until your mouth heals from a tooth extraction procedure. That typically takes several months.
Driscoll says It is important to have close follow-up with a dentist or an oral surgeon while healing from tooth extractions.
How much does it cost to get all your teeth pulled and dentures?
It depends on several factors:
- The cost of dentistry in your area
- How many teeth you’re having pulled
- Type of sedation you choose (local, oral, intravenous)
- Type of denture you choose (immediate or not, porcelain vs. acrylic)
Again, prices vary. The ADA reports an extraction can cost several hundred dollars per tooth depending on the type of extraction.
Can you buy dentures on the internet?
Several companies offer impression kits that they send to you at home. You use the kit to make impressions of your teeth and mouth, then send your impressions back to the company, which will make your custom dentures. You can also find some DIY denture kits online like this one from Amazon, but most reviews aren’t good.
Driscoll notes that dentures are only as good as the impressions they’re made from, and new dentures often require one to three follow-up appointments to make adjustments for the best fit.
“Patients need a point-of-contact they can trust to make these adjustments without causing damage to the dentures,” Driscoll says.
If you choose to buy dentures on the internet, look for a company that offers a satisfaction guarantee — which means they’ll work with you and make adjustments to your dentures in the event that your initial pair doesn’t fit properly.
Grillo says most dentists are trained to provide quality dentures and can offer payment plans, financing, and economical options for denture wearers.
He advises people to check dentist and lab reviews for insight into their denture expertise and to consult a prosthodontist for complex cases.
Check out these other ways to find helpful and free resources for low-income families and individuals:
Dr. Julie Driscoll says implant-supported dentures are best, but their cost can be prohibitive.
Prices vary widely by location and based on the material used to create your dentures. A dentist in Manhattan or San Francisco is likely to charge more than a dentist in a less populated area. Each patient’s situation is different, as well. For example, if you already have missing teeth, then you won’t have to pay for them to be pulled. You also won’t have to pay for same-day dentures to wear until your mouth has healed enough to get permanent ones.
Dentures are typically made of acrylic resin for both the gums and the teeth, Dr. Julie Driscoll says. Partial dentures may also include cast metal framework.
Yes you can get your teeth pulled and dentures in the same day, but those dentures won’t be permanent. Same-day or immediate dentures are worn until your mouth heals from a tooth extraction procedure. That typically takes several months.
Several companies offer impression kits that they send to you at home. You use the kit to make impressions of your teeth and mouth, then send your impressions back to the company, which will make your custom dentures.
