Flexible Denture Cost: Prices With & Without Insurance

Flexible dentures are made from a thin, bendable nylon-type material instead of the rigid acrylic or metal used in many other removable dentures. They are most often made as partial dentures, which replace some missing teeth while the rest of your natural teeth stay in place.

People searching for the price of a flexible denture per tooth are usually trying to work out what a few missing teeth will cost. Published price guides, though, quote the cost of the entire partial, so the sections below explain how to use those figures and how to get a per-tooth quote from an office.

The sources behind this page do not publish a cost for each tooth, and dividing a total by the number of teeth would mislead. A partial denture is made as a single piece, with a gum-colored base, clasps, and replacement teeth, and the fee covers the design, the lab work, and the fittings as well as the teeth themselves.

If you want a per-tooth figure, ask the dental office for a written quote that shows the number of teeth replaced and what the fee includes. Ask whether adding or removing a tooth changes the price. The answer varies from office to office, and the dentist can tell you what applies to your mouth.

A flexible partial is one of several partial denture options. Resin-base partials and metal-framework partials are the other common types, and the sources do not agree on every range.

The two sources use different survey methods and may define each type differently, which helps explain why the ranges do not match. The table shows how the options compare in general; your own quote may differ.

If you are missing all of your teeth in an arch, a full denture is a different product. These figures are shown only so you can see how partial and full dentures relate on price.

Full dentures span a wide range because quality, materials, and how custom the fit is all differ. A low-cost denture and a premium denture are very different products, and the gap in price reflects that. A licensed dentist can explain which type fits your situation.

• How many teeth are replaced. A partial that replaces more teeth usually involves more lab work.
• The lab and materials. Different labs and different grades of material carry different prices.
• Your location. Dental fees tend to be higher in large metro areas.
• Preparation work. Extractions, cleanings, or treatment of other teeth are billed separately from the denture.
• Follow-up care. Some offices include adjustments and relines in the fee, and others charge for them.

Many dental plans cover some portion of dentures, often at a lower rate than they cover basic care, and many apply an annual maximum. Coverage for partial dentures depends on the plan, and some plans limit how often they will pay for a replacement. Your insurer or the dental office's billing staff can tell you what your plan covers before you start. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate in writing.

Dental offices commonly offer payment plans, and some accept third-party patient financing. Dental schools and community clinics in some areas offer reduced-fee dental work, so it can be worth checking what is available near you. Read any financing agreement carefully for interest terms before you sign.

• What is the total fee, and what does it include?
• How many teeth will the partial replace?
• What is the fee for adjustments, relines, or repairs after delivery?
• If the partial does not fit well, what is the policy?
• Is there a separate charge for impressions, try-ins, or lab work?
• What payment options does the office offer?