What Can I Expect to Pay for Dentures?

Dentures have allowed millions of people to replace their lost teeth with beautifully lifelike restorations that make it easier to chew and speak, and one of the main reasons behind their popularity is that they can be quite affordable. Since each set of dentures is customized to treat each patient, the cost of one appliance can vary significantly from that of another. Here’s a brief breakdown of a few of the factors that can influence how much your dentures cost.

Bigger Dentures Can Cost More

Dentures can be used to replace one, several, many, or all of a patient’s teeth, and the number and location of the teeth to be restored will determine how big your appliance needs to be. Manufacturing bigger dentures requires more material, so larger appliances are generally more expensive than smaller ones.

Different Materials Are Priced Differently

The parts of a denture can be made from a variety of materials such as acrylic, porcelain, resin, ceramic, and metal. The base of a denture is typically made from acrylic that can be tailored to match the appearance of the patient’s gum tissue, but some appliances incorporate metal components in their bases that increase their strength as well as their cost. While porcelain teeth are heavier and more durable and expensive than resin ones, they can also be abrasive to the remaining natural teeth, so they are not typically recommended for partial dentures.

Dental Implants Contribute to the Cost

Many patients opt to anchor their dentures securely in place using four or more dental implants surgically placed in strategic points along their jawbone. This allows the appliance to exert maximum chewing power while eliminating the possibility of it slipping out of place during speech or meals. While this can prevent many embarrassing situations, these dental implants will also stimulate the jawbone to prevent or even reverse the bone erosion caused by tooth loss.

While dental implants are not cheap, they can last for a lifetime with proper care and vastly reduce the need for expensive replacement dentures. While a traditional denture that receives good care can last for about seven years before needing replacement, appliances supported by implants can go for as long as two decades. This can potentially save a patient much money over time.

Tooth loss is an unfortunately widespread problem, but there are affordable ways to address it. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to rebuild your smile.

About the Practice

Laketown Family Dental offers the finest oral health services available to the community of Norton Shores. Led by Drs. Ariel and Eric Heisser, the staff ensures that each patient receives outstanding customer service, sincere compassion, and effective treatments. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture and dental implant services. If you’d like to replace your lost teeth, contact the office online or dial (231) 737-2273.