When you’ve lost most or all of your teeth, there are times when you feel like you’d pay any amount of money to have them back again. Luckily, today’s dentures are an extremely lifelike and comfortable way to bring your smile back. As with any type of dental work, though, you’ll want to consider how much dentures cost before you commit to the treatment. While there is no fixed price, here are three factors that can affect the cost of dentures.
Material
Dentures can be fabricated from a variety of materials that come at different price points. It can be tempting to save some money by choosing inexpensive plastic dentures. However, this material tends to wear down quickly and crack easily. Eventually, you’d end up spending more money on repairs or replacements every year or two.
It’s worth investing in a high-quality denture with an acrylic base and artificial teeth made from porcelain or acrylic. These dentures are more durable, look more natural, and can last for an average of five to seven years.
Type of Denture
The number of teeth you’re missing will affect the type of denture you receive. A full denture can restore an entire arch of lost teeth at the same time, while a partial denture is ideal if you still have some natural teeth remaining. Since a full denture requires more material than a partial, it typically costs more.
Traditionally, full dentures rest on the gums, and partials are secured onto real teeth using metal clasps. However, both types of dentures can be anchored onto dental implants, which are small titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jaw. Implant dentures last longer, are more stable, and make chewing easier. While they cost significantly more than regular dentures, their long lifespan often makes implant dentures more cost-effective in the long run.
Preliminary Treatments
Some patients have to undergo certain procedures before their mouths are eligible for dentures. For example, gum disease needs to be treated before the gums can support dentures, and severely damaged teeth should be extracted to make room. While these procedures give your new teeth a healthy foundation, they do increase your overall treatment costs.
In short, the best way to get an idea of the cost of your dentures is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. They’ll go over the specifics of your case and help you find ways of rebuilding your smile without breaking the bank!
About the Author
Dr. Tammy Ton strives to make dental care easy and stress-free for patients. That’s why, at LuxSmile Family Dentistry, she provides ways of making dentures in Carrollton, TX affordable. In addition to accepting dental insurance, she offers low-interest financing through CareCredit and an in-house dental savings plan. To learn more about the cost of dentures, contact Dr. Ton’s office at 972-698-5988.