Losing natural teeth is a significant setback that impacts daily activities, including basic functions such as eating, smiling, and speaking. For this reason, when a person loses a natural tooth, they often seek tooth replacement options.
Dentures are among the most common solutions for replacing missing teeth, particularly when multiple teeth are missing or when fixed options, such as dental bridges, are not suitable.
The affordable cost of dentures compared to other tooth replacement solutions makes them a preferred choice. If you are considering dentures to replace your missing teeth, this blog will help you understand the expected cost of dentures and the factors that may increase it.
Searching for high-quality dentures in London? Contact Dulwich Dental Office and discover our range of denture options, tailored to your needs and budget.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable devices used to replace one or more teeth, ranging from a single tooth to a full arch of missing teeth.
Dentures primarily consist of an acrylic base that holds artificial teeth and rely on the underlying tissues, either bone or gum tissue, for support.
The acrylic base is pink, resembling the gum tissue colour, and is sometimes transparent to reflect the underlying gum colour, giving it a natural appearance. In certain types of dentures, the base is reinforced with a cobalt-chromium framework.
There are several types of materials used for artificial teeth, including acrylic, composite, and porcelain.
Different Denture Types and Their Cost
Several types of dentures are available, varying based on the number of missing teeth, the materials used, and the type of attachment. These factors significantly influence the cost. Below are the different types of dentures and their associated costs:
- Cobalt-chromium partial denture
This type of denture replaces several missing teeth but not an entire arch. The acrylic base is supported by a cobalt-chromium meshwork, which enhances its strength and provides greater stability through precision attachments that rely on the adjacent natural teeth.
These types of dentures cost approximately £600 to £1,200 per arch.
- Conventional Complete Denture
Complete dentures are removable devices used to restore a full arch of missing teeth. They rely on the underlying bone and gums for support. Although complete dentures are affordable, they require frequent relining, rebasing, and eventual replacement after several years.
Complete dentures in London typically cost around £650 per arch.
These dentures represent an innovative type, with the denture base fabricated from a clear thermoplastic material. This material provides slight flexibility, which enhances retention, while the transparency allows the underlying gum colour to show through, improving the denture’s appearance. The cost of flexible dentures in London starts at £800.
- Implant-Supported Denture
Due to several disadvantages associated with conventional dentures, primarily limited retention, which restricts food choices and causes denture slippage, various attempts have been made to improve denture stability. With the advent of dental implants, these have been used to enhance retention by inserting four to six implants to support the dentures. Implant-supported dentures are the most expensive option because the cost includes multiple dental implant placements. In London, implant-supported dentures typically cost around £7,995.
Unsure which denture suits you best? Dulwich Dental Experts are here to guide you toward your perfect smile. Schedule your consultation and discover your ideal fit today.
Factors Affecting the Denture Cost
When planning for your denture, you may encounter a variety of costs. The following factors influence the overall cost of dentures:
- Number of Missing Teeth
The number of missing teeth influences the type and design of dentures required. As the number of missing teeth increases, the cost of the denture also rises. This is why complete dentures are more expensive than partial dentures.
- Material Used
Several materials are used in the construction of dentures. They may be fabricated from acrylic resin, cobalt-chromium, or a combination of acrylic resin and thermoplastic materials for flexible dentures. Acrylic dentures are the most affordable type, while cobalt-chromium and flexible dentures tend to be more expensive.
Additionally, there are various types of acrylic resin; premium dentures made from high-quality acrylic resin and artificial teeth materials can increase the overall cost.
Implant-retained dentures are the most expensive due to the denture attachments embedded in the fitting surface of the denture.
- Case Complexity
The complexity of the case and the need for additional procedures during denture construction can affect the final cost. Examples of such procedures include tooth extraction, alveoplasty (bone smoothing), dental implants, or gum treatment. These steps may be necessary during treatment planning to improve the retention of your dentures.
- Dentist Expertise and Location
Dental clinics in central London and dentists with high expertise significantly influence the final cost of dentures. Additional procedures that require multiple visits for adjustments will further increase the overall price.
Additional Denture Cost to Consider
- Relining, Rebasing, and Replacement
Conventional dentures rely on retention from the underlying tissue; however, over time, they can cause bone resorption. As bone resorption progresses, the denture becomes loose. Loose dentures can be corrected through relining or rebasing. Relining involves adding a new layer of acrylic resin to the denture’s fitting surface to restore retention, while rebasing entails the complete replacement of the denture base. These procedures may be required frequently, and their costs are typically not included in the original denture price.
- Denture Repair
Acrylic dentures are brittle and can easily break. Although they can be repaired, repairs do not require complete denture replacement. However, repair fees are an additional cost.
- Teeth Addition
If you have partial dentures and a natural tooth is extracted, conventional acrylic dentures offer the advantage of allowing a new tooth to be added to the existing denture, although this will incur additional costs.
- Aftercare Costs
After receiving your dentures, it is essential to attend regular check-up visits to ensure the health of both your dentures and any remaining natural teeth. Additionally, maintaining your dentures may require the use of denture cleaning solutions, which can incur additional costs.
Denture cost at Dulwich Dental Office.
Restoring missing teeth is essential for maintaining a normal lifestyle. Dentures, available in various types, are the primary solution for replacing missing teeth.
Dulwich Dental Office is a leading dental clinic in London, offering high-quality dentures in various types and specifications to suit each patient’s needs. We provide affordable dentures with flexible payment plans to help you restore your missing teeth. Book your denture consultation today.
