What Affects the Cost of Dentures?
By Aurora Gateway Dental Care · Published October 29, 2026 · Updated October 29, 2026 · Reviewed by our dentists
The short answer
Dentures cost depends on whether you need a full or partial denture, the materials and lab work, whether teeth must be removed first, and whether you choose immediate dentures or implant support. Relines and adjustments over time add to it. Your dentist can give a written estimate after an exam and X-rays.
Full or partial: the first big fork
Complete dentures replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. They rest on the gums and are held by suction, and the lower one is often harder to keep steady because the tongue and cheeks move it.
Partial dentures replace some teeth and clip onto the natural teeth that remain. They help keep those teeth from drifting into the gaps. The type you need is the first thing that shapes your estimate.
Your dentist will look at the health of any remaining teeth before deciding. Sometimes keeping a few strong teeth to support a partial is the better choice. Other times, teeth that are loose or badly decayed won't hold a partial well.
What drives partial dentures cost
Partial dentures come in a few forms:
- Acrylic partials, made mostly of pink plastic with wire clasps, are often used as a short-term or interim option.
- Cast metal partials have a thin metal frame that is stronger and less bulky. They take more lab work.
- Flexible partials use a bendable material that grips the teeth without metal clasps, though they can be harder to adjust or add to later.
The price of full dentures and how they are made
A well-fitting complete denture takes several steps. Your dentist takes impressions, records how your jaws meet, and lets you try in a wax version to check the look, bite and speech before the final denture is processed. Each step involves lab work, and the Ontario Dental Association notes that lab charges are extra to the dentist's fee.
The quality of the teeth and base material also varies. Your dentist can explain the options, how they look and how they hold up.
Extractions, healing and immediate dentures
If some teeth still need to come out, those extractions are part of the cost. You then have a choice. A conventional denture is made after the gums and bone have healed, which can take months. An immediate denture is made ahead of time and placed the day the teeth come out, so you're not without teeth while you heal.
The Canadian Dental Association notes that gums and bone shrink during healing, so immediate dentures often need relining. Some people later replace the immediate denture with a new one once healing is complete. Plan for these follow-up costs when you compare options.
Implant-supported dentures
An overdenture snaps onto a small number of dental implants or remaining tooth roots. It is often much steadier than a regular lower denture. It adds the cost of the implants and the attachments, and the implant part is not covered by every plan. Your dentist can help you weigh comfort and stability against the added treatment.
Adjustments, relines and replacement
Your mouth keeps changing after teeth are lost. Over time, a denture can loosen and rub. A reline adds new material to the fitting surface so it sits snugly again. Repairs may be needed for cracks or broken clasps. Eventually, worn teeth and a changing jaw mean a new denture.
Loose dentures aren't just uncomfortable. The CDA notes that sores from a poor fit can make oral cancer harder to spot. Seeing your dentist at least once a year keeps small fixes small.
Fees, insurance and the CDCP
Whoever makes your denture sets the fee; dental offices frequently benchmark against the Ontario Dental Association suggested fee guide. Insurance plans usually list dentures as a major service, with a yearly maximum and a limit on how often a denture can be replaced.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers complete and partial dentures within set time limits. Partial dentures, immediate dentures and overdentures need preauthorization, and CDCP won't cover a new denture within 24 months of a reline. Implants are not covered. Any co-payment is tied to family income, and the amount CDCP pays can be lower than the fee charged. For a new denture, the Interim Federal Health Program may help little, since it is built around urgent care.
If you're in Aurora or nearby, Aurora Gateway Dental Care can examine your mouth, explain your denture options and give you a written estimate. Claims go directly to your plan, and we accept CDCP and IFHP.
Questions
How long does it take to get used to dentures?
Most people need a few weeks to adjust to eating and speaking. Sore spots are common at first, and small adjustments help. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces.
Is a reline the same as a new denture?
No. A reline refits your current denture to your gums. A new denture replaces the teeth and base. Your dentist will tell you which makes more sense.
Who makes dentures in Ontario?
Dentists provide dentures, and so do denturists, who are trained and regulated to make and fit dentures. Your dentist also checks your gums, remaining teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth, which matters if teeth need to come out first.
Should I sleep in my dentures?
The CDA advises taking dentures out at night and soaking them, which gives your gums a rest. Clean them daily with a denture brush and mild soap or denture cleaner, not regular toothpaste.
Why does my plan only replace dentures every few years?
Most plans set a replacement limit to manage costs. If your denture breaks or no longer fits before then, ask us whether a repair or reline is covered in the meantime.
General information, not personal medical advice. If you have pain, swelling or an injury, call us at 289-475-5497.