How Much Do Dentures Cost in the UK?

In England, NHS dental care is charged in three bands, and dentures sit in the top one. nhs.uk lists "false teeth (dentures) made from plastic or metal" under Band 3, alongside crowns and bridges. The current figures, checked on nhs.uk on 21 October 2026, are:

• Band 1 (examination, diagnosis, X-rays, advice): £27.90
• Band 2 (Band 1 plus things like fillings and extractions): £76.60
• Band 3 (Band 1 and 2 plus crowns, bridges and dentures): £332.10

Here's the bit people often miss: it isn't a charge per tooth. Band 3 includes everything in Bands 1 and 2, so if you need a couple of fillings and a denture in the same course, you pay the Band 3 charge once. Charges differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The NHS covers dentures when they're clinically necessary. I've gone through what you get for that money in NHS dentures: what you get and what you pay.

Some people can. nhs.uk says you get free NHS dental treatment in England if, for example, you're under 18 (or under 19 and in full-time education), pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, getting certain benefits, or receiving some hospital dental care (although dentures and bridges can still carry a charge). If you're on a low income but don't qualify outright, the NHS Low Income Scheme may cover part of the cost.

Please check before you assume you'll pay the full amount. There's no shame in worrying about cost, and it's far better to ask than to go without.

One more thing worth knowing: nhs.uk says you don't pay if your NHS dentures need to be repaired, but if they can't be repaired, you'll pay for new ones.

Because "dentures" covers a lot of different things. It's a bit like asking how much a car costs. A small runaround and a seven-seater are both cars. The main things that change a private fee are:

• Full or partial. Replacing a whole arch is a different job from filling a gap or two.
• The material. Acrylic (plastic), cobalt-chrome (metal) and flexible dentures are made differently. The Oral Health Foundation notes that metal dentures are usually more expensive than plastic ones. I've compared them in flexible, acrylic or chrome dentures: which is best?
• Implants or no implants. Dentures that clip onto implants involve surgery as well as the denture itself, so they're a much bigger investment. More in snap-in dentures: are implant-retained dentures worth it?
• What needs doing first. Extractions, fillings or gum treatment before the denture all add to the plan.

I don't put prices in my articles, because a number without an examination is a guess. I also couldn't find a reputable, non-commercial UK source that gives a typical private range, so take any single figure you see online with a pinch of salt. Which? advises confirming the total cost before you commit, and says you should get a detailed written cost for your exact treatment after your first assessment. That's my rule too.

If you're only missing one or a few teeth, my articles on partial dentures and the single tooth denture explain how the options differ.

Budget for the long run, not just day one. Dentures are made of materials that wear, and your mouth changes shape over time. MSD Manual explains that the mouth and jawbones can change over time, so dentures may need refitting or replacing. The Oral Health Foundation says dentures often need replacing every five to eight years to keep them fitting well.

On the NHS, repairs don't carry a charge, but a new set is a new Band 3 course. Privately, ask what's included when you're quoted. If a tooth has come off or the denture has cracked, see my denture has broken or a tooth fell out of my denture before you reach for the superglue.

Not always, and not always the most expensive either. In my view, the best-value denture is the one that fits, that you can eat with, and that you'll actually wear. A denture that sits in a drawer because it rubs is the most expensive one of all, whatever it cost.

So when you compare quotes, ask the same few questions each time:

• How many appointments are included, and are adjustments after fitting covered?
• What happens, and what will it cost, if it needs a repair or reline?
• Is this NHS or private, and is there an NHS option?

If you're thinking about dentures, or your current set is getting on a bit, book a routine appointment. Denture wearers still need regular check-ups, because I'm checking your gums and the soft tissues of your mouth as well as the fit.

Call us today if:

• your denture is rubbing and has made a sore spot that isn't settling
• a sore spot or ulcer hasn't healed within 2 weeks (and the NHS says any mouth ulcer lasting more than 3 weeks should be checked by a dentist or GP)
• you notice a red or white patch, or a lump, in your mouth
• your gums are very red or bleeding, or there's swelling
• your denture has broken and you can't eat properly

Call 999 or go to A&E, not a dentist, if:

• you're finding it hard to breathe, swallow or speak
• swelling is spreading towards your eye or down into your neck
• you can't open your mouth properly because of swelling

In the meantime, the NHS advice is to take your dentures out at night unless your dentist has told you otherwise, and to clean them daily.

If you're near Harlow or Enfield, I'd much rather take a look and give you a clear plan and a fee in writing than have you guessing from price lists online. Ring your nearest Minti practice and ask for a check-up. Anywhere else, or out of hours, call NHS 111 if something is urgent.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a quote. Dentures need planning in person, and fees are confirmed in writing before treatment.