A good set of full dentures typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 per arch, meaning you’ll pay $3,000 to $7,000 for both upper and lower. That range covers traditional removable dentures made with quality materials and a proper fit. But “good” means different things to different people, and the total you’ll spend depends on the type of denture, the materials, where you live, and whether you need teeth pulled first.
Full Dentures: What Each Tier Costs
Full dentures replace all the teeth in one or both jaws. At the economy level, you can find options starting around $800 to $1,500 per arch. These use basic acrylic teeth and a simpler fitting process, which means fewer office visits but also a less customized result. They function fine for chewing and speaking, but they’re more likely to look obviously artificial.
Mid-range full dentures run $1,500 to $3,000 per arch. This is where most people land when they want something that looks natural, fits well, and holds up over time. You’ll get more detailed shade matching, better-quality teeth, and a more precise impression process that improves comfort. Premium full dentures push past $3,000 and can reach $5,000 or more per arch. At this level, you’re paying for highly customized aesthetics, premium tooth materials, and often a specialist (a prosthodontist) doing the work rather than a general dentist.
For a complete set covering both arches, double these numbers. A solid mid-range set for upper and lower runs roughly $3,000 to $6,000 total.
Partial Dentures by Material
If you still have some healthy teeth, partial dentures fill in the gaps. The material of the framework drives the price:
- Resin (acrylic) base: around $1,500. The most affordable option, lightweight and easy to adjust or repair.
- Flexible nylon: around $1,700. More comfortable for many wearers because the base flexes slightly with your mouth. They also skip the metal clasps, so they’re less visible.
- Cast metal frame: around $2,000. The most durable option with a thinner profile that feels less bulky on the roof of your mouth or under your tongue.
These prices are per appliance without insurance. Most dental insurance plans that cover dentures will pay 50% of the cost after you’ve met your deductible, though annual maximums (often $1,000 to $2,000) can limit the benefit.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Snap-in dentures anchor to small titanium posts surgically placed in your jawbone. They don’t slip or shift like traditional dentures, and they preserve bone density in your jaw over time. The tradeoff is cost: patients pay an average of roughly $8,300 per arch, with a typical range of $7,600 to $13,300 per arch depending on location and complexity.
That price generally covers the implant posts, the connecting hardware, a temporary set of teeth to wear during the months your jaw heals around the implants, and the final custom denture. Some providers also include long-term warranties on both the implants and the denture itself. For a full mouth (both arches), you’re looking at $15,000 to $26,000 or more, making this the most expensive path but also the closest thing to the feel of natural teeth.
Acrylic vs. Porcelain Teeth
The teeth set into your denture base come in two main materials, and the choice affects both price and performance. Acrylic teeth are lighter, less expensive, and easier to repair or adjust. They’re also less likely to fracture if you drop your dentures. The downside is that they wear down faster and can look slightly flat or artificial, since acrylic doesn’t reflect light the way real enamel does.
Porcelain teeth cost more but mimic the translucency and gloss of natural enamel remarkably well. They resist staining and wear better over time. However, that hardness is a double-edged sword: porcelain is more prone to chipping on impact, and if your dentures bite against any remaining natural teeth, porcelain can wear those teeth down faster. Most modern mid-range dentures use high-quality acrylic or composite teeth that strike a balance between the two, and many dentists now recommend acrylic for its practicality unless aesthetics are your top priority.
3D Printed and Digital Dentures
Digital workflows are changing the economics of dentures. With CAD/CAM design and 3D printing, the lab cost to produce a denture has dropped dramatically. Traditional lab fabrication runs about $500 per denture. A 3D printed denture can cost the lab as little as $95 to $115, with raw material costs of just $20 to $40 per denture compared to over $40 for the teeth alone in a traditional set.
Some of those savings reach patients. Digital dentures currently fall into the same economy-to-premium tiers ($800 to $5,000+ per arch), but the real advantage shows up if something goes wrong. A traditional remake costs around $500 at the lab level. A 3D printed remake can cost as little as $20 in materials, since the digital file already exists. That makes adjustments, replacements, and backup sets far cheaper over time. Not every dental office offers digital dentures yet, but availability is expanding quickly.
Costs Before You Get Dentures
The sticker price of dentures doesn’t include the preparatory work many people need. If you have remaining teeth that need to come out first, simple extractions run $100 to $400 per tooth. Surgical extractions, for teeth that are broken, impacted, or have complicated roots, cost $132 to $700 per tooth. If you need several teeth removed, this can add $500 to $3,000 or more to your total bill before the dentures themselves are even made.
Some patients also need bone grafting or ridge smoothing to create a jaw shape that supports dentures properly. These procedures add further cost and healing time. Your dentist will typically do a full assessment and give you a treatment plan that includes all preparatory work, so ask for the complete number rather than just the denture price.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Dentures aren’t a one-time expense. Your jawbone gradually changes shape after teeth are removed, which means dentures that fit perfectly today will loosen over time. Relining, a process where the dentist reshapes the underside of your denture to match your current jaw, is the most common maintenance need:
- Temporary soft reline (chairside): about $99. A quick fix that lasts a few months.
- Hard reline (chairside): about $190. More durable, done in the office in one visit.
- Permanent lab reline: $390 to $490. Your denture goes to a lab for a more precise, longer-lasting result. You’ll be without your dentures for a day or two.
The American College of Prosthodontists recommends evaluating dentures for replacement once they’ve been in use for more than five years, though well-made dentures with regular relines can sometimes last seven to ten years. Budget for at least one reline every year or two, plus eventual replacement.
Why Prices Vary So Much by Location
Where you live can shift denture prices by 30% or more. A 2020 American Dental Association survey found that a full set of dentures averaged around $2,000 in Oregon but only $1,400 in Tennessee. Urban areas and regions with higher costs of living consistently charge more, driven by higher office rents, lab costs, and local wage levels. If you live near a state border or are willing to travel, comparing prices across regions can save hundreds of dollars. Dental schools are another option: they offer dentures at reduced rates, supervised by experienced faculty, though the process takes longer due to the teaching environment.