Dental care is an investment in yourself — but in all too many cases, that investment comes with a steep price. Dentures are the go-to solution for missing teeth but not everyone can afford them. This is where cheap dentures come into play, closing the gaps, adding function, and boosting confidence without breaking the bank.
So, if you are wondering “where can I find cheap dentures in my area?” or “Are they any good?” Read on to find out!
What Are Cheap Dentures?
There is no set definition for what constitutes low-cost dentures. Everyone’s budget is different, which means everyone’s perspective on what is and is not cheap is unique as well. Ultimately, affordable dentures are those designed to be financially accessible to the majority of people.
These can take many forms. At their most affordable, cheap dentures are one-size-fits-all, boil-and-bite appliances you order online. However, low-cost dentures can also be professionally made, personalized appliances, just using lower-quality materials to drive down costs. If you are open to zero customization, you can find universal dentures online for as little as $30, but if you are looking for a personalized appliance, expect to pay at least $600 for a full set of dentures.
Cheap vs. Quality Dentures
Choosing cheap dentures over high-quality options could save you a thousand dollars or more — the question is, will the trade-off be worth it? Before you start searching for cheap dentures online or in your area, you need to understand how these options compare.
| Cheap Dentures | Quality Dentures | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | $30–$1,500 | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Cost Over Time | Frequent repair and replacement — every 3–6 months for universal dentures, 1–5 years for custom ones | Minimal repair and replacement, usually every 5–10 years, depending on your changes in anatomy |
| Comfort | Varies, but due to lack of or minimal customization and lower quality materials, they are often a bit uncomfortable | Also varies, but these tend to be more comfortable due to greater customization and better materials |
| Fit | More likely to come loose or require a lot of adhesive | Less likely to have slippage, need minimal adhesive |
| Speech | More likely to impede speech | Facilitate improved speech |
| Chewing | Can make it difficult to chew food fully, causing digestive issues | Should properly chew food, ensuring less gastric distress and pain |
| Care | May not include any personalized care | Usually comes with dedicated professional care |
How to Find Cheap but Quality Dentures
Not sure where to get cheap dentures? Cheap dentures and extractions and high quality aren’t mutually exclusive. With the right approach, you can get an excellent appliance and care without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re looking for cheap dentures in Missouri or Houston, Texas, the following options can give you high quality without the high price tag.
- Contact Area Dental Schools: Dentists-in-training need patients they can develop their skills with. This might sound risky, but all care is supervised by experienced, licensed dentists. Dentures from dental schools are typically offered at a highly reduced cost but are made from quality materials.
- Head to Your Health Department: Health centers are located across the United States and offer both general care and dental care. Federally funded, these clinics usually utilize sliding scale fees that price dentures based on your income.
- Seek Out Low-Cost Dental Programs: There are many charitable organizations that focus on providing free or affordable dental care to those in need. A quick Google search for “cheap dentures near me” can help you find options.
- Speak With Area Dentists: Many dentists offer their services at discounted rates when they feel a patient has a demonstrable need. While not every provider will do this, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
How Much Do Cheap Dentures Cost?
There is no set cost for affordable dentures. In addition to the definition of “affordable” varying between patients, the type of denture you are looking for matters as well. For example, cheap implant dentures will still cost you over a thousand dollars while a simple flipper should only be a few hundred. Below are different types of dentures and their average cost per arch.
| Type of Cheap Denture | Average Cost per Arch |
|---|---|
| Snap-On Veneers | $500 |
| Flipper | $300 |
| Partial Denture | $450 |
| Full Denture | $600 |
| Fixed Denture | $1,300 |
Does Dental Insurance Cover Cheap Dentures?
Every dental policy has its own terms, so there is no universal answer to this question. To know if your insurance cover dentures, you’ll need to read through your policy or speak to a representative.
With that said, most dental insurance policies will classify dentures as major appliances and cover about 50% of their cost. This is a big help, but it still can leave you with a hefty bill — and that’s assuming you’ve already met your deductible for the year. If you haven’t, your out-of-pocket costs will be even higher.
So how can you afford cheap dentures with or without insurance? There are a few options that might work for you when seeing a dentist without insurance.
- Use Your FSA and HSA Funds: If you have either (or both!) of these tax-free savings accounts, you might have funds at your disposal. Use your FSA money since it expires each year, then use your HSA funds to cover the rest of your dentures costs.
- Enroll in a Discount Dental Plan: Discount dental plans are subscription-based services, giving you access to reduced fees for a variety of treatments and products, including dentures, from select providers.
- Ask About Payment Plans: Not every dental provider offers this, but most are open to creating payment plans for their patients. Sometimes, they will charge interest, but not always.
- Look into Financing: Whether through your provider or a third party, financing can help reduce the strain of dentures on your budget, even if it doesn’t lower the cost. Small monthly payments are often easier to manage than a lump sum.
All these methods can help you reduce the price consideably and are a great alternative if you are going to pay for cheap dentures without insurance.
Advantages And Disadvantages of Cheap Dentures
Cheap dentures for seniors and other adults aren’t perfect — they have distinct benefits, but also come with their drawbacks. Before making this investment, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons against your unique situation.
- Affordability: Because low-cost dentures don’t break the bank, they are often the best choice for those on a very tight budget. Many individuals simply cannot afford more expensive options.
- Bridging the Gap: Sometimes, removable dentures are just a stepping stone between a more permanent solution, like fixed dentures or dental implants. In this case, going with a cheap solution makes the most sense.
- Extra Funds: If you go with cheaper dentures, you can apply your savings towards other dental costs. Missing teeth and other issues like gum disease go hand in hand, and the right treatment can prevent further losses.
- Replacement Costs: Since cheap dentures usually (though not always) are lower quality than more expensive options, you can expect them to need replacement more often — which can make them the more costly option in the long run.
- Health and Dental Harm: Assuming your cheap dentures are low in price and quality, they can potentially cause harm. This includes bone loss, gum sores, gastrointestinal stress from poor chewing, and more.
How Long Do Cheap Dentures Last?
There is no set lifespan for cheap dentures. Because you can get high-quality dentures at an affordable price, yours could last 10 years, or even more. But if you choose to go with one-size-fits-all dentures, they likely won’t last more than a few months.
Some factors that impact the longevity of cheap dentures are:
- Denture type
- Materials
- Manufacturing quality
- Changes in your dental health
- At-home care
Assuming your dentures are personalized and professionally made and you don’t experience changes to your dental anatomy, you should expect your dentures to last at least three years with proper care.
Taking Care of Cheap Dentures
Whether your dentures are cheap, high quality, or a mixture of the two, the best way to extend their longevity is to give them proper care. With the right treatment, you can add years to their lifespan. The two main aspects to be mindful of are daily cleaning and avoiding damage.
Daily Denture Cleaning Steps
- Start by using warm, but not hot, water to loosen the adhesive holding your dentures in place. This will make it easier to remove them.
- If you have dentures on both arches, start by removing those on the bottom, pulling them up, then out. Repeat on the upper arch.
- Rinse off your dentures using cool water to remove food particles. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to brush the dentures.
- Gargle with warm salt water to loosen adhesive sticking to your gums, then rinse your mouth. Brush your gums and any natural teeth you still have.
- Soak your dentures overnight in a denture cleaning solution. If you opt for a fast-acting cleaning solution, you only need to soak them for a few minutes.
- Before wearing your dentures again, be sure to rinse them and clean your teeth and gums.
What to Avoid While Wearing Cheap Dentures
- Sources of Heat: Anything too hot can warp dentures, altering their shape and fit. Keep them away from heaters and extremely hot beverages, and don’t leave them in direct sunlight.
- Improper Storage: When you remove your dentures, they should either be in their cleaning solution or a protective case. Simply leaving them out increases the likelihood that they will be lost or damaged.
- Abrasive Toothbrushes and Toothpaste: Dentures are not as strong as the natural teeth, which means they cannot stand up to typical cleaning tools. Only use denture-safe toothbrushes and pastes.
- Damaging Foods: Any foods that are too hard or sticky can harm your dentures, or at least pull them loose. Stick to softer foods that are easy to bite into and chew.
FAQ
If you aren’t sure where to get cheap dentures, start with a Google search for cheap dentures near you. This can help you locate discount providers, charities that offer assistance, and programs you can enroll in. You can also purchase cheap dentures online but these tend to be low quality since they lack personalization.
Absolutely. Many qualified dentists and labs offer low-cost treatments and appliances to help low-income individuals get the care they need. While it might take some research, you should be able to find affordable care that doesn’t sacrifice quality.
It can, but it won’t in every case. Sometimes, cheap prices mean cheap materials and manufacturing. Other times, cheap prices are just the result of good discounts and financial assistance from various parties.
There are many ways to access cheap dentures. You can find discount providers, work with charities, get them from a dental school, use a discount dental plan, and even ask your regular dentist about a special rate.
