How much do dentures cost?

Dentures can give those with missing teeth a whole new smile. But what are dentures, how much do they cost and where can you get them?

Compare Health Insurance

What are dentures?

Dentures are custom-made removable false teeth used to replace either several or all of your teeth. They can be taken in and out of your mouth and either be full or partial, depending on the number of missing teeth.
The Australian Dental Prosthetists Association’s (ADPA) former National President Jenine Bradburn says partial dentures usually feature clasps which grip onto the natural teeth to hold them in place. Full dentures can replace all teeth on the upper or lower jaw, or both.

How much do dentures cost in Australia?

Full upper and lower standard acrylic dentures cost $3,105 on average, according to the 2024 Australian Dental Association Fee Survey. For either an upper or lower denture, the cost is around $1,700 on average. The average cost of dentures in Australia is:

• Upper and lower dentures: $3,105

• Upper denture only: $1,698

• Lower denture only: $1,715

• Partial upper and lower dentures: $962

Source: Australian Dental Association Fee Survey 2024

Keep in mind that these averages only include denture prices, and may not reflect the full costs involved. These averages do not factor in consultation or follow-up appointments. The total cost for getting dentures will depend on your own circumstances and what is recommended for your dental health.

Keep in mind that providers are free to set their own denture costs, so you may be quoted something higher than the above figures.

Are denture costs covered by Medicare?

Medicare does not cover the cost of dentures, in general. But you may be eligible for dental services through Medicare if you have a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card from the Department of Human Services (DHS) or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card from the DHS or DVA.

What public dental services are available will depend on your residing state or territory, but generally treatments include fillings, tooth extraction and even dentures. Check your state or territory’s government website for more information on whether and to what extent false teeth costs can be covered by public dental services.

Cost of dentures for pensioners

The cost of dentures for pensioners will depend on certain eligibility. If you’re a pensioner and hold a Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you may be able to claim your false teeth costs through the Australian Government’s public dental services. How much of the cost is covered will depend on your personal circumstances and the state or territory you live in.

Are dentures costs covered by private health insurance?

If you have private health insurance, you could check with your health fund to see if your extras policy covers the cost of dentures. There could be some out-of-pocket expenses involved, but you can choose your practitioner and are unlikely to go on a waiting list. However, whether you’re covered for dentures depends on the type of private health insurance you have. Most health insurance extras policies offer general dental cover (includes basic dental care such as fillings and hygiene services) and major dental cover (includes more complex dental care such as surgical gum treatment and crowns). Health funds typically categorise dentures under major dental.

Health insurance policies will have different limits on how often you can get a replacement for your dentures as well. Some allow for one upper and one lower denture every three years, while others allow for replacements every 5 years. Repairs, relines and general maintenance of dentures typically have different limits within a policy, so check with your provider.

Waiting periods for dentures can vary, but an insurer will typically require you to be with the fund for a minimum of 12 months before you can claim. That said, some insurers offer dental health cover with no waiting periods.

Once your dental practitioner supplies you with a quote, consider contacting your insurance provider to find out about your claim limits, waiting periods and overall out-of-pocket expenses before proceeding.

It’s good practice to do your research before getting dentures. Whether it’s comparing prices and reviews for dental practitioners, contacting your private health insurer to find out what you are and aren’t covered for, or finding out if you’re eligible for government assistance, it’s important to be well-informed before you commit.

What impacts the cost of dentures?

It’s important to consider other factors that may influence the overall cost of your dentures. These may include the type of treatment or the amount of preparation required, the number of appointments you need, the type of specialist used and whether any of your natural teeth need to be removed. This is on top of whether or not you choose the public or private health systems, and if you have any concessions, such as being a pensioner. Impacts can include:

What the denture is made of

The type of material you choose will affect the price. Acrylic dentures range from standard acrylic through to more expensive hard-wearing varieties.
The ADA says a set of upper and lower full acrylic dentures cost on average around $3,105. Whichever you choose, you often get what you pay for. Poorer quality materials will tend to wear much faster than higher-quality ones. It can also be important to know where your dentures are made, as many cheaper options are manufactured overseas using materials that may not comply with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

How much work is required

What’s required for dentures will vary depending on your own situation, but it’s a good idea to request for an itemised quote before proceeding with new dentures. This way, you can have a better understanding of the procedures and costs involved beforehand, and know whether there will be any further costs involved, such as extra appointments to get your dentures relined (especially if teeth have been removed as this can change the structure of your gums).
Remember, dentures are not a once-off investment, they require ongoing maintenance and need to be replaced every 3-5 years or so.

Where can you get dentures made?

Most dentists can make dentures, but you can also seek the services of a dental prosthetist who design, construct and fit dentures.

How are dentures made?

Dentures are custom-fitted, with the shape of your denture formed by taking moulded impressions of your mouth.

If you need to have teeth removed to make way for full dentures, you may require several appointments to get the dentures adjusted, as your gums may shrink during the healing process.

Full denture bases are made of acrylic. Partial dentures can be made from all acrylic or from a combination of acrylic and metal, which helps them grip in their position inside your mouth. The false teeth themselves are often also made from acrylic or a composite material, according to the ADPA.

The cost of partial dentures varies considerably, depending on the condition of your current teeth, the number of missing teeth and the material you choose.

You may also have the option of immediate dentures before your permanent ones are constructed. While they can be an extra cost, immediate dentures ensure that following your tooth removal, you don’t have to appear in public with missing teeth. The ADPA says these temporary dentures can be used while your gums heal (which normally takes about 8-12 weeks), and while you wait for your full permanent dentures to be made.

Cover image source: Kansuda2 Kaewwannarat/Shutterstock.com