When you have lost multiple teeth, dentures can be used to re-complete your smile so that you can once again chew all kinds of foods and speak with clarity. Naturally, you will want to know how much you can expect to pay for dentures before you commit to getting them. The cost can vary from patient to patient based on their circumstances. Here are 4 factors that could influence the price of your prosthesis.
1. What Kind of Denture You Get
Getting dentures can potentially mean different things depending on the state of your smile. Partial dentures can be used to fill in the gaps in your grin when only some teeth need to be replaced. Meanwhile, full dentures are used when all of the teeth in one or both arches are missing. Since full dentures replace more teeth than partial dentures, they tend to come at a higher cost.
Additionally, you can also have your dentures anchored to dental implants in order to give them extra stability and chewing power. If you choose to get implant dentures, you will need to account for the cost of having the implant posts surgically placed in your jaw.
2. The Material Used to Make Your Dentures
As you can probably guess, the materials that your dentures are made of play a role in determining the overall cost. Typically, the base of a denture will be made out of acrylic, but sometimes a metal mesh (which will add to the price) may be used to strengthen it. As for your artificial teeth, they might be made out of acrylic or porcelain; acrylic is the cheaper option, but porcelain is more durable and aesthetically pleasing.
3. Preparatory Treatments
In some cases, you may not be able to get dentures right away. In particular, if the teeth that need to be replaced are still in your mouth, extractions will have to be performed first. Naturally, the tooth extraction process will have its own cost to consider. Your dentist will let you know about any other preparatory treatments that you might need prior to getting dentures and what you will likely need to pay for them.
4. Your Dental Insurance Plan
Dental insurance can significantly reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket for dentures. Coverage is often around 50%, but the exact amount can vary depending on what plan you have. To be on the safe side, you may want to get in touch with your insurance company to clarify how much they’re willing to pay for your prosthesis.
The sooner you figure out what the cost of dentures will look like, the sooner you can start making a plan that’s right for your smile and your wallet. Talk to your dentist if you have any questions about the financial aspect of getting new teeth.
About the Author
Dr. Rodger Song has more than three decades of dental experience. He is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a number of other dental organizations. At Bridlewood Dental of Flower Mound, he can rebuild smiles with dentures and other tooth replacement options. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Song, visit his website or call (972) 906-9797.