In an ideal world we’d all keep our natural teeth forever. But, alas, the world ain’t perfect and some of us will lose our teeth due to age, poor hygiene, playing hockey or taking one in the kisser from a jilted ex-lover.
Thanks to science, losing our natural teeth doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a smile that may look like a jack o’ lantern though. There are a number of natural looking tooth replacement options that will look like you have all your natural teeth intact. One of the more popular options is dentures.
If you’re considering getting dentures, we want you to make an informed decision. And we know that one of the most burning questions you’ll have is about cost. So let’s take a look at what dentures cost and see if they’re an affordable option or if you’ll have to resort to selling a kidney on eBay to pay for them (actually, we’re pretty sure that’s illegal or, at least against eBay’s policies so we highly recommend not considering this option!)
Different types of dentures come with varied costs, so let’s jump in to see what you can expect to pay.
How Much Do Permanent Dentures Cost?
In situations where you’ve suffered from severe decay and/or gum disease, your dentist will likely recommend you get permanent dentures.
Cost Range for Permanent dentures: $300 to $5,000 per single plate
For a single plate (ie. dentures that go on either the top or the bottom of your mouth), the cost range is from $300 – $5000. If you need both the upper and bottom plates, the cost will obviously double.
Factors that affect the costs include:
- The materials used to make the dentures
- How many teeth are missing (ie. full vs partial dentures)
- The condition of your mouth
- Your dental insurance coverage
- The location of your dentist
Temporary Dentures
Temporary or immediate dentures can be full or partial dentures depending on your needs. They are often used as a temporary solution while you wait for your permanent.
The cost of immediate dentures can vary from $800 to $1500 per plate. That may sound like a lot, but it’s a lot cheaper (relatively speaking) compared to other alternatives in the market.
Denture Quality
You can expect that the dentures on the more expensive side of the price range are made with better quality materials. They’ll also often include the maintenance service and a decent warranty period.
And, more importantly, they’ll look more like your natural teeth.
Dentures that are made with cheaper materials have some definite drawbacks. They are more prone to cracking or breaking outright compared to those made of higher quality materials. You might end up looking like a puppet with poor alignment of the dentures. And on top of that, they won’t be that comfortable.
If you get good quality dentures and maintain good oral hygiene – with regular visits to say ‘hi’ to the dentist – then your dentures can last up to a decade!
Additional Costs
There can be a few additional costs as well. For example, you might need a tooth extraction is needed before your dentures can be placed. Dental insurance can help you cover some of the procedures involved in the fixation of your dentures.
It’s best to make an informed decision so look into your options. Talk to a local dentist (or two or three) and see what options make the most sense for your situation and what the associated costs will be.
In the end, the decision comes down to your budget and how comfortable you want your dentures to be, so choose wisely for your precious smile!
