Thanks to dentures, missing or damaged are no longer a problem, but they can cost quite a bit because they need to have a custom fit. Worse yet, Medicare doesn’t cover dentures which leaves many seniors to foot the entire bill. Still, there are a few ways to reduce the cost of dentures and save money.
How Much Do Dentures Cost?
There are a few different types of dentures available that solve different problems and answer different needs, and their price varies. [1]
Complete (Full) Dentures
Full or complete dentures are the most common type. They can cost from $600 to $10,000, while a lower and upper mouth plate can cost from $300 to $5,000.
If you want to save money, you can buy pre-made full denture plates that use less expensive materials. However, you might get dentures that don’t look natural, ones that aren’t very comfortable which can, as a result, break sooner.
Partial Dentures
If you only have a small gap consisting of a few or more missing teeth, partial dentures might be the best solution for you. Despite sounding like they are less expensive than full dentures, partial ones start at $300 and can cost up to $5,000 for a single upper or lower plate, or $600 to $10,000 for an upper and lower partial denture, according to Authority Dental.
Dental Implants
The popularity of dental implants is soaring because they’re a long-lasting solution with great fit and feel. These implants are screwed into your jaw but require a healthy jawbone. Moreover, you will have to pay more for dental implants than you would for dentures. A full set can cost from $7,000 to $90,000.
How to Pay Less for Dentures?
While Medicare won’t pay for fittings or dentures which leave seniors with fewer options, there are still ways you can save money on dentures, according to website DentalPlans. [2] Here are six of the best ways:
Pace
Run by Medicaid and Medicare, Pace or the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly and offers health care services to seniors in their community or homes. Sometimes this program offers dental services within your state’s Medicaid program.
Medicaid:
Another option is to find out whether your state’s Medicaid program covers dental services or dentures. Some states will offer more than what the federal guidelines mandate.
Medicare Part C Coverage:
Original Medicare doesn’t cover denture costs, but you can sign-up for Medicare C, also known as an Advantage plan through private insurance companies and receive bonus coverage for dentures and routine dentist services.
Dental Insurance:
While a lot of health insurance plans offer dental services, you can also look for stand-alone coverage and plans. These plans can cover regular check-ups, fillings, cleanings, and X-rays, besides covering dentures.
Dental Savings Plan:
A dental savings plan requires that you pay an annual fee to access discounts for dental services. Furthermore, you don’t have to sign any paperwork or consider caps and limits. You can save anywhere from 10% to 60% through more than 30 plans. [3]
Dental Schools
Dental schools offer low-cost services in exchange for training dentists, so it’s always wise to check whether you have one in your area.
[1] https://www.authoritydental.org/how-much-do-dentures-cost
[2] https://www.dentalplans.com/dental-information/how-to-save/affording-removable-dentures