Dentures Cost About $2,900, Say Dentists

Dentists reported charging an average of $2,900 for a full set of upper and lower dentures in this survey.

However, the cost of dentures varies widely by dentist. While some dentists charge $1,000, one prosthodontist defended his $10,000 fee for dentures.

Dentists tend to agree that dentures cost far less than they could. “Denture fees should be raised to at least $6,000 for a full set of upper and lower," said one dentist.

Here's a sample of what else dentists had to say:

“Whatever you can charge, it's never enough.” (Tennessee dentist charging $3000)
"The average fee for quality dentures is way under-priced. In order to make a comfortable, functional and esthetic denture takes time and precision. Why be cheap and not precise about something a lot of people wear 24/7 and function with the rest of their entire life?!" (Florida dentist charging $2500)
“I insist on having two implants placed to support the lower denture, which adds approximately $5000 to the total cost. I've given up on free-floating lower dentures.” (North Dakota dentist charging $3200)

"Most of the lowers have dental implants, which adds $5000, and a few have upper implants. We do external ads to build this business." (Missouri dentist charging $4000)
“Dentures cause me more headaches in my practice than anything else I do. Especially immediate dentures, which decrease in fit as the patient heals." (Indiana dentist charging $2200)
“At my office we produce very high quality dentures for our patients. In order to do so, 4 to 5 appointments are necessary, and we include up to 2 adjustment appointments in the fee.” (Ohio prosthodontist charging $3600)
“Welfare in NY state pays $1200.” (New York prosthodontist charging $1000)
“It recently came to my attention that denturists are charging much much more than dentists. Why have we as a profession given this care away?” (Canada dentist charging $1200 including lab)

david szczesny dmd

I CAN SHOW YOU A PLETHORA OF WEEKLY SUNDAY ADS IN THE FT. LAUDERDALE “SUN SENTINEL” NEWSPAPER WITH ADS STARTING FROM 360 PER DENTURE FOR ECONOMY CLASS! CAVEAT EMPTOR! IT’S MISLEADING AND EVENTUALLY THE PATIENT ENDS UP VERY DISCONTENT!
http://www.missimplantdentistry.com Dr. Bill Woods

A new cosmetic fully characterized set of dentures runs about $5000 in my office. A “standard” set is about $2800. If I am going to take the time to fully characterize a set of dentures where there are no restrictions on my time or what the lab tech will provide, I need to be compensated for my time and the lab tech for his time over and above his usual services. As far as the last cosmetic set we completed together, me, the lab tech and the patient – all three of us were so pleased – it was far more satifying than the money. The money wasnt even an issue. The issue was satisfying the patient. I wonder how anyone can be pleased with a $300 denture. Could you “cheap out” on yourself any more as a dentist or patient? I dont think so.
Bill
http://www.drannefiller.com Anne Filler

I personally stay very busy redoing dentures made by the local $199 “special” clinics in our area. These clinics hire dentists who have no background on adequate denture construction. Patients go to these clinics and are so unhappy that they come to us area dentists to redo the work. Our charge is around $3200 for a complete set and that includes the minimal adjustments that we do.
Nicole

Here In Mountain Home, Arkansas All The Dentist I Have Spoken To Told Me That Just For A Top Plate Would Cost Me $1,500.00. I’m Not Saying That It’s Extremely Pricey, But At The Same Time I Am. I’m 21 Years Old And With The Economy The Way It Is Unless Your A Single Parent,Or Just A Parent Period You Can Hardley Find A Job Around Here. So For Us Younger People That Have Teeth Problems, That Can’t Find A Job, Still Live At Home With Thir Parents,And Their Parents Or On Social Security That Is A Very HIGH Price. I Mean Seriously The Economy And Some Dentist And Even Doctors Are Makin It Where It’s Almost Impossible For People To Afford To Take Care Of Themselves. I Know That A Office Visit At A Dentist Office Is $150.00. That’s The Same Price As A Doctors Visit. Then If You Have To Get Medication Welp There Goes Another $100.00. And Of Course They Want All The Money Up Front. I’m Not Being Mean By No Means, I Understand And Completley Agree That You Dentist, And Doctors Need To Be Paid For Your Time, But You Should Think About Us Little People Out There That Seriously Need The Work Done On Our Teeth Because It’s Causing Us Health Problems.
http://www,woodssmiles.com Dr Bill Woods

To Nichole: We totally understand your plight. There ARE places where you can get an economy denture, but you have to realize that is what you are getting and there are limits that exist with that choice. Everyone needs teeth, from age 2 to 102 and you have to fit your choice into your budget. When you are able, move up the ladder. Get some implants so you will have a jawbone when you are older. It will cost you something up front but it will be so much better than the misery of choosing not to get them. In my own practice I had one cleaning lady with full upper and lower crowns. She worked long and hard to be able to afford them, but her mindset was focused on saving her teeth, not getting rid of them – and so she did. The lady she worked for has about half of her teeth. She got one pulled every time there was a pain. So. there is a BIG difference in how people think. If you set your mind on keeping your teeth, you will. If you want to get rid of them, they will disappear. We dentists think about everyone that enters the office, but we also realize that everyone is different and every situation is different. most dentists hate to see a patient get a denture, even when we are trying our best. Economy dentures serve a good purpose, but that isnt the end of things and there are other better alternatives when you are able. I hope that is helpful to you. Bill
Sharon W

My husband got lower dentures last year. He has the posts with a clip on denture which he says works pretty well. OUr only problem is the $5500.00 that it cost. Our lousy insurance has a yearly cap at $1000.00. Now he needs an upper plate and they want another $5700.00. Are we being ripped off? I’ve researched some and it seems like $5500.00 should be what we spent for both.
Gord H

I understand that a dentist is a doctor, with a lot of their lives invested in their trade. What I don’t understand (as a Canadian) is why do I have to pay for a dental appointment at all??? When I get physically hurt or ill… I go to a hospital and get treated through my provincial health care system.

Some would suggest that what a hospital provides is “essential services” for the continued healthy life of any given patient. Could or rather SHOULD dental services not be considered the same?

Now I’d like to address this quote

Dr Bill Woods Says:
“Economy dentures serve a good purpose, but that isnt the end of things and there are other better alternatives when you are able.”

As an “essential service” to good health care… should implants NOT be considered as a “minimum standard”? If you have a heart issue do you think the operating surgeon should just fix/repair to the level your finances will allow?

Personally I am a partially disabled CDN Army veteran,dentures are not covered by my veterans card. On a fixed income the bill… even for the so called “bargain dentures” is an outrageous drain on finances.

Gord
DENTURIST

Design and fabrication of complete/partial/implant dentures is a complex procedure. Dental office takes care of the design and dental laboratory takes care of the fabrication. That WAS the way ALL dentures were provided to the public in the past. The lab tech. had never seen the patient, yet he had a lion share of the work for a very little pay. Dentists used to be well compensated for grand total of 1 hr. of work to the tune of $2.000 or more. Now days, however, majority of dentures are designed and fabricated by denturists in their denture clinics. Denturists do design and fabrication “in house” by themselves. They are the real denture specialists. In fact, 100% of their time is dedicated to design, fabrication and repair of dentures. The cost of denture service is are very reasonable. Complete dentures about $800 each, Partial dentures about the same; a little more for more complicated cases. Repairs start at $50. And their expertise worth a lot more. Certainly more than any advise by a dentist talking about the subject they know very little about, but still looking to line their pockets at the expense of the dental labs and patients. Patients, be aware.
joe elmore

You could take a trip to S.America or Asia have the same quality for less than 1/4 of that. After the trip expenses plus accommodation and funs you may end up some cash in pocket. Particularly place like Brazil, India and HongKong.
http://PrivateSpacers.com PamK

I am scheduled to have dentures made very soon. I will be going to an oral surgeon for extractions (an upper bridge has to come out because the supporting teeth are coming out) and a lower “Maryland bridge” has to be pulled out – I only have about 12 teeth.
I have two “specialists” – one will do 2 implants for bottom dentures and pull the teeth, the other will make the dentures, put in abutments – whatever that is –
I’m looking at a total of about $8000 for both these guys.
$1750 each for 2 implants, and $2200 EACH for upper and lower dentures.
I am going crazy down here in Memphis – I’ve got to do this, but the money will bankrupt me!
D. Pearce

The price variations are outrageous!!! First, I’d like to know how much time (on average) is involved in replacing an upper denture. Second, a denturist told me recently that my new denture will cost me 3 times more than the last one I got 5 years ago “because petroleum costs have increased that much.” That’s simply a lie. And last, but not least … why does every denture I’ve purchased in the last 40+ years wear out faster than the one before it. The first dentures I got in 1965 lasted me 15 years!!! If petroleum is the reason for that as well, then the industry ought to start using better materials.
http://www.moldtesting.org Asbestos Removal

Thats an excellent idea will have a go at making one of these sometime….
http://www.ezekielcode.com TheEzekielCode

Dentists keep saying they need to be compensated for their time. That fine. The problem is, they charge TOO MUCH for their time. That’s it. Period. They’re all making so much money they can afford great insurance for themselves, not to mention nice houses, new cars and their kid’s college tuition and still have a fat savings account to boot. What about the rest of us who can’t afford dental insurance? Do the math! If we don’t have the money to pay for insurance how the hell do you expect us to come up with those outrageous prices (all up front, no less!) for the extractions and denture work??? Of course I can answer my own question. The answer is: THEY DON’T CARE. They simply don’t give a damn. All they care about is the money.
Ichalmers

If most of these Dentists know how to make a denture and not just take an impression and send it off to the lab and upon the lab delivering the denture to the dentist the dentist sticks it in the patients mouth and then charges the patient 5 to 15 times more than the lab charged for the denture.Dentists do not know how to fit a denture.Dentists must take the time to attend some Jack Turbyfill lectures to learn how to make a denture that will satisfy the patient.It is all about working with your denture lab tech and not spending your time shopping for the cheapest price and then blaming the tech for the dentists crappy impression.If you want to be compensated for your time,learn how to love your patients and fix their problems instead of stealing their money!!!
Ichalmers

You are an idiot.You should pay for your health and not expect the junk medicine given in Canada.You people who expect freebies are freeloader!!!!

Dentures Cost About $2,900, Say Dentists

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