If you’re thinking about getting dentures, you’re not alone. While some people feel shame or embarrassment over losing teeth, you should know that it’s normal and quite common. 

About 23 million people in the United States have none of their natural teeth, and another 12 million people have no teeth either on the top or bottom of their mouths. About 90 percent of these people choose to wear dentures. 

When it comes to getting dentures, many people worry about the cost. After all, it is a major dental procedure, and pricing around dentistry is often shrouded in mystery. We aim to make pricing more transparent, so you can make informed decisions and plan for your oral health.

Types of Dentures

Dentures come in many different sizes and types. Before you can estimate the cost of your dentures, it’s important to know what kind you need. There are three basic questions to answer when choosing what type of dentures to get:

• Will they be full or partial dentures?
• Do I want my dentures to be removable?
• Do I want implant-supported dentures?

Full dentures replace all of the teeth on either the top or the bottom of your mouth. Partial dentures replace several missing teeth, but leave room for your natural teeth as well. Your dental team will let you know which option is best for you. 

Whether you want removable or permanent dentures is up to you. Both partial and full dentures can be either removable or permanent. You can make this choice based on your comfort level and lifestyle. 

Implant supports can be used for full or partial dentures. Both removable and permanent dentures can use implant supports as well. The benefits of implant-supported dentures are that they shift less while you’re eating and speaking. They also allow for a smaller base, which can give a more natural look. 

Average Price of Dentures

With all of these options, it’s impossible to give an average cost of dentures overall. However, we can offer some estimates based on some of these choices:

• Partial, removable dentures with no implants: $811-2026
• Partial, permanent fixed dentures with implants: $8058 
• Partial, removable dentures with implants: start at $5518
• Full, removable dentures with no implants: $928- 1920
• Full, permanent fixed dentures with implants: $12,813
• Full, removable dentures with implants: $6378

The total cost for dentures is also influenced by factors such as the type of anesthesia needed and the number of appointments necessary. Our experienced team can help you better understand your estimated costs.

Does Insurance Cover Dentures?

Most dental insurance plans have some level of coverage for dentures. However, exactly how much your insurance covers will depend on your plan. Receiving dentures is considered a major procedure for insurance companies. Most cover major procedures at 50 percent, meaning you pay for half out of pocket. 

You have options when it comes to paying for dentures. If you have an FSA or HSA, you can often use funds from that. You can also apply for services like CareCredit. If you’re not sure how to pay for your dentures, let our staff know. We can guide you through your options and help you choose what’s right for you. 

Get Dentures in Albuquerque

We are proud to offer a variety of dentures and restorative dentistry options. We use groundbreaking technology to make every procedure as quick and comfortable as possible. Contact us today to set up your consultation and make your plan for dentures today.

Denture sores should not be a regular occurrence if you have dentures. They're most commonly experienced during the first few weeks of wearing a new denture, but if you don’t have a new denture and you’re getting sores, it may be a sign that the shape of your jawbone has changed and your denture has to be relined. Patients who regularly experience large, painful denture sores should make an appointment with Dr. Dennis to ensure that their denture fits properly and that the sores aren’t infected. Otherwise, try these methods for getting rid of denture sores.

Salt Water Rinse

Warm salt water rinses are recommended for a number of types of mouth sores and oral health conditions, and they can also be used to treat denture sores. Not only will a salt water rinse provide temporary relief for your pain, it will also aid in healing. Simply combine 1/4 cup of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir until the salt is dissolved, then rinse for 30 seconds. A salt water rinse can be used up to four times a day for as long as needed.

Give Your Mouth a Break

Make sure you remove your dentures before going to bed every night to let your mouth rest and to give your sores the opportunity to heal. While it's important to wear new dentures for long enough each day to get used to them (and to prevent other teeth from moving if you have a partial denture), it's also important for your dental health that you give your gums time to rest after supporting dentures all day.

Good Oral Hygiene

To prevent denture sores from becoming infected, it’s important to keep up with your home oral hygiene routine. This means brushing your dentures to remove plaque and soaking them in a denture cleaner to kill bacteria. Dentures cannot get cavities like natural teeth, but they can harbor bacteria and collect plaque, which sets the stage for gum disease and other mouth infections. We also recommend that you use a wet washcloth to clean your gums before putting your denture in and after taking it out. Good oral hygiene may not prevent denture sores from forming, but it can keep them from becoming infected.

Relieve the Pain

Although this isn't a recommendation for getting rid of denture sores, denture sores can be painful, even interfering with your ability to eat and sleep. To relieve discomfort and inflammation, use over-the-counter pain relievers or apply a numbing gel directly to the sores.

Consult With Your Dentist

If denture sores are an ongoing problem for you, contact our office to make an appointment with Dr. Dennis. The solution may be as simple as relining your denture so it fits more securely and doesn’t rub against the soft tissues in your mouth. In other cases, your denture may need to be re-fitted. For a more permanent fix for denture sores, you may also want to consider switching from a traditional denture to an implant-supported denture.

Learn More About Relieving Denture Sores

If you’re concerned about denture sores, contact us today at 505-292-1051 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis.