Dentures Cost UK: What You'll Actually Pay in 2026

Here's something nobody tells you about dentures until you're sitting in the dentist's chair: the price range is wild. Like, genuinely all over the place.

You'll find quotes from £500 to £2,500 for what seems like the same thing. And the really frustrating part? Both prices might be completely reasonable depending on what you're actually getting.

The dentures market in the UK isn't trying to confuse you. It's just that "dentures" covers everything from basic acrylic plates to precision-crafted prosthetics that take weeks of lab work. Understanding what drives these costs means making the right choice for your situation instead of just picking the cheapest option and hoping for the best.

The Basic Numbers

A standard acrylic denture set in the UK runs between £500 and £1,200 per arch. That means a full upper or lower denture, not both.

If you need a complete set for both upper and lower, you're looking at double that figure. This catches people off guard when they first start researching costs.

Partial dentures start around £400 and can reach £1,500 depending on how many teeth need replacing and the materials used. The framework matters here. Chrome cobalt partials cost more than acrylic ones because they're stronger and less bulky in your mouth.

Premium dentures with better aesthetics and fit typically range from £1,500 to £2,500 per arch. These involve more complex manufacturing processes, better quality teeth, and often multiple fitting appointments to get everything exactly right.

At UrgentCare Dental, a full arch runs £699, which sits in that sweet spot of quality materials and proper fitting time without the premium markup you'd see at cosmetic-focused practices.

What Actually Affects Denture Costs

The material choice creates the biggest price variation. Basic acrylic dentures use standardized tooth moulds and straightforward manufacturing. They work fine for many people, but they're recognizably dentures if someone looks closely.

Premium dentures use individually selected and positioned teeth. The base material matches your gum colour more precisely, and the teeth themselves have subtle variations in shade and translucency that make them look more natural.

This isn't vanity pricing. It's hundreds of hours of skilled lab work. The technician is essentially creating a tiny sculpture that needs to fool people into thinking you still have your natural teeth.

The number of fitting appointments changes the final cost too. A rushed denture made in two visits will always be cheaper than one that takes four or five appointments to get right.

But that extra time means better retention, more comfortable eating, and fewer adjustment visits down the line. Think of it as paying upfront to avoid paying repeatedly later.

Immediate dentures cost more because they're made before your teeth are extracted and fitted the same day. You're paying for the convenience of never being without teeth, plus the additional lab work of creating them from moulds taken while your natural teeth are still in place.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

Your first set of dentures won't be your last. Even well-made dentures need replacing every five to seven years as your jaw bone gradually changes shape.

Some practices build this into their pricing with replacement programs. Others charge full price each time. This matters more than you'd think when you're calculating the real long-term cost.

Relines and adjustments add up over the years. Your dentures will need relining every couple of years to maintain proper fit as your gums change. These typically cost £150 to £300 per arch.

Some practices include the first reline in the initial price. Most don't. Knowing which category your dentist falls into prevents unpleasant surprises eighteen months down the line.

Repairs happen. Drop your dentures once on a tile floor and you might crack the base or chip a tooth.

Repairs range from £80 for simple fixes to £300 for major reconstruction work. Having a second set as backup makes sense for people who can afford it. The peace of mind alone is worth considering.

The Arch Question

A single arch denture faces different challenges than a full set. If you're keeping your natural teeth on one jaw, your denture needs to match their colour and wear pattern exactly.

This usually requires custom tooth selection, which pushes the price higher. You can't just pick any shade and call it done when you're trying to blend with existing teeth.

Upper dentures generally fit better than lower ones because they have more surface area for suction. The roof of your mouth provides a natural seal that lower dentures don't have access to.

Lower dentures rely more on precise fit and sometimes need implants for proper retention. Factor in an extra £200 to £400 if your lower denture needs special attention to stay in place. This isn't an upsell. It's addressing a genuine biomechanical problem.

Partial Dentures Work Differently

Partial dentures replace some teeth while working around the ones you're keeping. The cheapest versions use acrylic with metal clasps, starting around £400. They're bulky but functional.

Chrome cobalt partials cost more because they're thinner and stronger. The metal framework means less plastic in your mouth, which most people find more comfortable. Expect to pay £800 to £1,500 for a well-made chrome partial.

The price jump reflects real engineering work. These aren't just plates with teeth stuck on. They're precision frameworks designed to distribute forces without damaging your remaining teeth.

Flexible partials made from materials like Valplast sit in between at £600 to £1,200. They're more aesthetic than chrome cobalt because they don't have visible metal clasps, but they're harder to adjust and repair.

Immediate vs Conventional Dentures

Immediate dentures let you skip the toothless waiting period after extractions. Your dentist takes impressions before removing your teeth, and the dentures are ready to fit the same day. This convenience costs an extra £300 to £500 per arch.

The tradeoff is fit quality. Your dentist is guessing what your gums will look like after healing, so immediate dentures always need more adjustment visits.

They'll also need relining or replacing sooner than conventional dentures because your jaw bone changes significantly in the first six months after extractions. You're essentially getting a temporary solution at near-permanent prices.

Conventional dentures are made after your gums have healed completely, usually eight to twelve weeks after extractions. The fit is better because your dentist is working with the final shape of your jaw.

People who can manage the gap period find conventional dentures give better long-term results. But managing that gap period is easier said than done when you've got work meetings and family gatherings to navigate.

Premium Features That Might Matter

Precision attachments replace visible clasps on partial dentures with hidden connectors. They look better and put less stress on your remaining teeth, but they add £400 to £800 to the cost.

Whether that's worth it depends on how visible your partial denture will be when you smile. Front teeth? Probably worth it. Back molars? Maybe not.

Characterization gives dentures a more natural appearance through deliberate imperfections. The technician adds slight irregularities to tooth position and subtle colour variations.

This typically adds £200 to £400 per arch but makes a noticeable difference for people concerned about aesthetics. Perfect teeth look fake. Slightly imperfect teeth look real.

Implant-retained dentures are a different category entirely. Two to four implants per arch give your dentures solid retention without adhesives.

The implants cost £1,999 each at most practices, so you're looking at £4,000 to £8,000 just for the implant placement before adding denture costs on top. But they solve the retention problem completely.

Geographic Price Variations

London practices charge 20% to 40% more than the national average. A denture set that costs £1,400 in Manchester might run £2,000 in central London.

You're paying for higher operating costs, not necessarily better quality. The lab work often comes from the same facilities regardless of where your dentist's office is located.

Major cities outside London typically run 10% to 20% above rural areas. The quality difference between urban and rural practices has disappeared with modern lab work being done remotely anyway.

Where your dentist is located matters less than which lab they use. A good technician in Leeds will produce better work than a mediocre one in Harley Street.

Some people travel to save money on dentures, but remember you'll need multiple appointments for fittings and adjustments. Travel costs can wipe out any savings when you're driving three hours each way for appointments. The petrol money adds up faster than you'd expect.

The Timeline and Payment

A complete conventional denture takes six to eight weeks from start to finish. You'll have an initial consultation, impressions, bite registration, try-in, and final fitting. Each appointment takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Most practices want 50% upfront and the balance at fitting. Some offer payment plans spreading the cost over six to twelve months, usually with a small financing charge.

At UrgentCare Dental, the £699 per arch is straightforward pricing with no hidden appointment fees. What you're quoted is what you pay.

The first few weeks with new dentures are an adjustment period. Most people need two or three fine-tuning visits in the first month.

Practices that include these adjustments in the initial price tend to have fewer disputes about unexpected costs later. It's worth asking explicitly what's covered before you commit.

When Dentures Make Sense

Dentures work well when you're missing most or all teeth and want a cost-effective replacement. They're removable, which makes cleaning easy and lets your gums rest at night.

For younger patients, dentures are often a temporary solution while saving for dental implants. The bone loss that happens with dentures makes implants harder to place later, so dentists typically recommend planning for implants within five years when possible.

But planning for implants and actually being able to afford implants are two different conversations. Dentures provide function now, which matters more than theoretical future implants for most people's daily reality.

Older patients often find dentures perfectly adequate for their needs. When implant surgery seems too invasive or expensive, well-made dentures can last decades with proper care and regular replacements.

The Maintenance Reality

Dentures need daily cleaning with specific denture cleaner, not regular toothpaste which is too abrasive. Budget around £10 per month for cleaning supplies.

Fixative costs another £8 to £15 monthly for people who use it. Many people with well-fitted dentures don't need adhesive, but it's common for lower dentures especially.

The adhesive conversation reveals a lot about fit quality. If your dentist immediately recommends adhesive rather than working to improve the fit, that's worth noting.

Annual check-ups let your dentist spot problems early. These usually cost £50 to £80 at private practices and catch issues before they become expensive repairs.

Making the Decision

The right denture price depends on your priorities. People who need basic function and have cost as their main concern find standard acrylic dentures do the job.

When aesthetics matter because you're still working or socially active, premium options make sense. The confidence factor is real even if it's hard to quantify in pounds.

The cheapest quote isn't automatically the best value. A poorly made denture that needs constant adjustments and early replacement costs more in the long run than a properly made one that lasts seven years with minimal fuss.

Practices vary in what they include in quoted prices. Some dentists bundle adjustments and the first reline. Others charge separately for everything after the initial fitting. Getting this in writing before committing prevents surprises.

The conversations you have with your dentist matter as much as the price list. A good fit requires clear communication about expectations and concerns.

Practices that seem rushed during consultations probably won't give the lab work the attention it needs either. If they're rushing through the planning stage, they'll rush through everything else too.

Dentures are a significant investment in quality of life. The right set lets you eat normally, speak clearly, and smile confidently.

The wrong set becomes a drawer full of expensive frustration. Taking the time to understand what you're paying for makes the cost much clearer.