Are you missing a few teeth, or are the ones you have looking a little rough? If your teeth are damaged or blemished in any way, it might be taking away from your confidence. You deserve to love how you look. Feeling good about your smile goes a long way, so it might be time to invest in a set of dentures. Dental care can be costly, but it is worth it.
If you do not have insurance, you are likely wondering if you can cover the cost. You might be curious if there are ways to save money on dentures without insurance or if you can afford to take on this potentially hefty price out of pocket. These are all valid concerns, but don’t hold yourself back from having a smile that makes you proud.
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What are dentures?
Dentures give people who are unhappy with their smiles a second chance. Even those who take good care of their teeth may need dentures at some point in their life. According to Statista, more than 40 million Americans used dentures in 2020.
Age can play a role in the appearance of teeth, but dentures are not strictly for older people. Teeth injuries are not uncommon, and sometimes medication can harm a person’s teeth. No matter the reason for missing or damaged teeth, dentures are here to help.
Dentures offer a removable option for those who need to replace their teeth. These fake teeth are customized to fit the mouth perfectly. Dentures bring back a sense of normalcy. They can help people eat, speak, and encourage more happy smiles.
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What are the different types of dentures?
According to WebMD, there are two main types of dentures. These two options are complete and partial dentures, but there are more categories.
Types of dentures include:
- Complete dentures- These are also called full or conventional dentures. As the name suggests, these are a complete set of dentures. These dentures are the best for someone missing all of their teeth.
- Implant-retained dentures- This is a type of complete denture, also referred to as snap-ins. These are best for those missing every single one of their teeth and need extra support so that the dentures do not move.
- Immediate dentures- These dentures are best suited for those who want or need to have their teeth extracted and replaced with dentures on the same day.
- Partial dentures (fixed)- These dentures are best suited for those missing some of their teeth and want to have dentures installed that are unremovable.
- Partial dentures (removable)- This option is fantastic for someone who is missing some of their teeth and wants to have the option of removing their dentures.
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How much do dentures cost without insurance?
Whether or not you have an insurance plan will affect the cost of dentures, but many other factors come into play.
Factors that affect the cost of dentures include:
- Where you live
- Your dentist
- Type of dentures
- Materials used (acrylic, porcelain, etc.)
- The amount of work your teeth require
- Pre-op and follow-up visits
- Adjustments
- The number of teeth needing extraction
Because the cost of dentures can be affected by so many factors, it can be hard to determine a specific number. Some offices are very clear about what they charge for dentures, while others are not.
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How much will you have to pay for dentures?
The only way to know what you will have to pay for dentures without insurance is to have a dentist assess your situation. You could end up paying anywhere between $600-$90,000 depending on the work required to create dentures for you, among the many other factors listed above.
Two examples of potential price ranges at specific dental offices include:
At Aspen Dental:
- Upper and lower conventional: $1,649-$2,219
- Acrylic partial: $769-$1,079
- Flexible acrylic partial: $1,259-$1,597
- Cast metal partial: $1,469-$1,824
At Carefree Dental:
- Complete conventional: $1,275-$2,750
- Complete immediate dentures: $1,475-$3,150
- Cast-metal partial dentures: $950-$1,900
- Acrylic partial dentures: $650-$1,050
- Flexible acrylic partial dentures: $1,000-$1,450
These costs are for upper or lower dentures, not both. At these offices, dentures could be around $600 per denture. Higher quality dentures that require more work could be closer to $2,750 per denture, so nearly $6,000 for a set.
According to Cost Helper, it is possible to pay up to $20,000, $30,000, or even $90,000 for a set of dentures. These high prices depend on how many teeth need to be pulled, among other factors.
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Would having insurance affect the price of dentures?
With many plans, you have to add dental insurance separately. While dental coverage is typically necessary for children, it is not considered essential for adults. It is impossible to know what services you will need in the future and what your plan will cover when the time comes. That is why it may seem like it is not worth it to have dental insurance.
In the case of dentures, it might be beneficial to have insurance, but it won’t cover the entire cost. According to Investopedia, if you had a full dental insurance plan, it would likely cover 50% of the cost of dentures. Without insurance, you are looking at paying thousands of dollars out of pocket, depending on your specific needs.
There are ways to lower this cost beyond insurance.
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Ways to help cover the cost of dentures.
The best way to avoid paying a lot for dentures is to practice preventative care. You will never have to take on this cost if you avoid needing dentures in the first place. Keeping your teeth in good shape is not always something you can control, but do what you can. There are other ways to help with the cost of dentures.
- Find out if your dentist offers a payment plan: With a payment plan, you don’t save any money, but it can take away some of the financial stress. Be sure to ask your dentist if they offer payment plans. If they offer a payment plan, you should be able to pay a relatively small amount each month instead of taking on the full cost right away.
- Call around and compare rates: Some dental offices charge less for dentures than others. While you might have a dentist you already know and love, there could be another one near you that provides the same quality of service, but charges less for dentures.
- Consider your options: As you now know, the price of dentures depends on many factors, such as the materials used. Assess all of your options. While you may want the best dentures out there, it is possible to save money by going with cheaper material. The dentist is the expert, so you won’t always be able to make this decision, but make it clear that you are looking for the cheapest option.
- Seek out a discount dental plan: These plans are not the same as dental insurance. Discount dental plans are a more affordable option for those hoping to save. With a discount dental plan, you would have access to a network of dentists who provide lower rates. If you have already visited a dentist that you enjoy, be sure to check with them to find out if they accept any discount dental plans.
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