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Dentures are a vital dental restorative solution, but the cost can be a significant barrier, especially without robust dental coverage. Full or partial dentures can easily cost $1,000–$3,000 per arch, depending on the provider, materials, and follow-up care.
Dental coverage for dentures varies widely between plan types. This guide breaks down how different dental insurance and dental savings plans handle denture costs and offers practical insights to help you make the right choice based on your care needs, budget, and timeline.
Understanding Denture Coverage in Dental Plans
Dentures as Major Restorative Services
In most dental benefit structures, full and partial dentures are categorized as major restorative services, a tier of care that often includes crowns, bridges, and implants.
Key Limitations with Traditional Dental Insurance
Many dental insurance plans do include dentures, but often with specific limitations that can delay or reduce access to care. Common limitations include:
- Annual Maximum Spending Limits: Coverage is often capped between $1,000–$1,500 per year. Since a single arch can cost more than that, out-of-pocket expenses are likely.
- Waiting Periods: A 6–12 month waiting period before major services are covered under a new PPO dental insurance plan is standard.
- Replacement Restrictions: With some plans, dentures may only be eligible for replacement every 5-7 years (or more – potentially up to ten years), check plan documentation for details – look for information on the plan’s “replacement clause” or “frequency limitation.”
Typical Denture Costs
The total cost of dentures depends on several factors, including materials (acrylic vs. metal framework), lab customization, extractions, fittings, and adjustments. On average:
- Full dentures: $1,000–$3,000 per arch
- Partial dentures: $700–$2,000 per arch
- Implant-supported dentures: $5,000–$15,000+
These costs underscore the importance of finding a dental plan that can offset expenses effectively—either through reimbursement or upfront discounts.
Comparing Dental Insurance Plans for Dentures
Dental insurance plans often include denture benefits, but with the limitations outlined above. Below is a comparison of several popular plans, with a focus on dentures. Note that these are not recommendations, just an overview of the types of dental insurance available.
- Major Services Coverage: 50%, including dentures, after deductible.
- Waiting Period: 12 months.
- Annual Spending Maximum: $1,500 per plan member
- Deductible: $50 for an individual
- Notes: Complete (full arch) denture and partials limited to 1 every 5 years.
- Cost: $52.99/month ($635.88/year)
Aetna Dental® Direct Preferred PPO
- Major Services Coverage: 50%, including dentures, after deductible.
- Waiting Period: After 12 months of continuous coverage the plan will start paying for Major services, such as Oral surgery, crowns, root canal therapy, and dentures.
- Annual Spending Maximum: $1,200 per plan member
- Deductible: $50 for an individual
- Notes: See dentists both in and out of Aetna’s network, but you’ll save the most by staying in network.
- Cost: Starting at $30.38/month ($364.56/year)
Renaissance Dental Insurance Plan III
- Major Services Coverage: 50%, including dentures, after deductible.
- Waiting Period: 12 months.
- Annual Spending Maximum: $1,000 per plan member
- Notes: Dentures are limited to once in a seven-year period.
- Cost: $43.81/month ($525.72/year)
Takeaway: Insurance plans offer structured reimbursement but often require a longer timeline and familiarity with network and coverage details. They are a good fit for those who already have insurance or can afford to wait through a waiting period.
Comparing Dental Savings Plans for Dentures
Dental savings plans offer a different approach to reducing the cost of dentures and other dental care. Instead of reimbursement after services are rendered, Dental savings plans provide immediate discounts at participating providers (over 70% of US dentists accept dental savings plans). There are no deductibles, waiting periods, or annual maximums. For individuals who need dentures soon—or whose insurance offers insufficient benefits— dental savings plans are a trusted cost-saving alternative.
Here is a comparison of several popular dental savings plans, with a focus on dentures.
- Discount: Around 50% off full and partial dentures. (discount may vary depending on the dentist’s average fee).
- Waiting period: No waiting period.
- Annual Spending Maximum: No annual spending limit.
- Deductible: No deductible.
- Notes: Includes discounts on vision care and prescriptions.
- Cost: $12.08/month billed annually ($144.95/year)
Preferred Network Access by Cigna
- Discount: Around 50% off full and partial dentures. (Discount may vary depending on the dentist’s average fee).
- Waiting period: No waiting period.
- Annual Spending Maximum: No annual spending limit.
- Deductible: No deductible.
- Cost: $9.58/month billed annually ($114.95/year)
- Discount: Around 50% off full and partial dentures. (Discount may vary depending on the dentist’s average fee).
- Waiting period: No waiting period.
- Annual Spending Maximum: No annual spending limit.
- Deductible: No deductible.
- Notes: Includes discounts on prescriptions, vision, hearing and virtual dental care.
- Cost: $12.08/month billed annually ($144.95/year)
Takeaway: Dental savings plans are not insurance. They offer straightforward, immediate discounts and are a great choice if you’re uninsured, need care fast, or want to complement your current insurance.
Choosing the Right Fit: Insurance vs. Savings Plans
Choosing between dental insurance and a savings plan depends on your current health status, budget, and timing needs.
Choose Dental Insurance If:
- You already have a policy that includes denture benefits
- You’re comfortable with waiting 6–12 months for coverage to activate
- You prefer a traditional reimbursement model with claims processing
Choose a Dental Savings Plan If:
- You need dentures immediately and can’t wait
- Your insurance excludes dentures or only covers a small portion
- You want a simple way to save on dental care without worrying about deductibles or spending caps
Consider Using Both If:
- You have dental insurance through an employer or Medicare Advantage, but the annual maximum or coverage limits won’t cover all your denture-related costs.
- You want to use a dental savings plan to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for lab work, repairs, or denture relines not fully covered by insurance.
- You want to save on virtually all your dental care with no waiting or spending restrictions.
Note: You cannot use dental insurance and a dental savings plan to save on the same procedure.
Final Thoughts: Save More on Dentures with the Right Plan
Denture coverage isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re looking for full dentures, partials, or repairs, understanding your options—and your timeline—is the first step toward lowering out-of-pocket costs. While dental insurance plans offer structured reimbursement for major services like dentures, they often include waiting periods and benefit caps.
Dental savings plans, on the other hand, provide immediate access to discounts without paperwork or delays. Find out how much you can save on dentures with a dental savings plan by using the calculator below.
Disclaimer: Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan. All cost averages obtained from DentalPlans.com procedure search tool, and independent research.
