DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Dentures cost in the UK: full and partial prices
Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable plate, and the cost swings a lot depending on how many teeth you are replacing and what the plate is made from. A basic NHS set and a custom private set are very different things. The real prices below lay out both, for full and partial dentures.
The quick version
- Dentures on the NHS in England are a Band 3 charge at £332.10 from 1 April 2026, the top band that also covers crowns and bridges.
- In Wales an NHS course of treatment is capped at £384, so a denture will not exceed that.
- A private dentist charges more, with the price depending on the material and how natural you want the teeth to look.
- Partial dentures replacing a few teeth generally cost less than a full set.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 68% less than the advertised NHS or list price for dentures.
NHS / list prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases and from a small sample so far. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £350“quoted £350 for a plate no matter how many teeth”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The material is the main lever privately. A basic acrylic plate is the cheapest, a flexible or metal-framed denture costs more, and premium sets with lifelike teeth sit at the top. Whether it is a full set or a partial matters too, along with how many appointments are needed to get the fit and bite comfortable. Some people need extractions or relines first, which add to the total. On the NHS all of this lands in the single Band 3 charge, so the price does not move with the material, though your choice of material may be limited compared with going private.
How to pay less
- Ask an NHS dentist about a Band 3 denture, which covers full or partial sets at one fixed charge of £332.10 in England.
- In Wales, remember the whole course is capped at £384, so a complex NHS case will not run past that.
- Compare private quotes by material, since acrylic is far cheaper than a metal or flexible framework.
- Check whether you are exempt from NHS charges, and look into practice payment plans for a private set.
Common questions
How much are dentures on the NHS?
In England a denture, whether full or partial, is a Band 3 course of treatment at £332.10 from 1 April 2026. That single charge covers the whole course, including any check-ups within it. In Wales the equivalent course is capped at £384. If you are exempt from NHS charges you pay nothing at all.
What is the difference between full and partial dentures?
A full denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw and rests on the gum. A partial denture fills in a few gaps and clips onto the remaining natural teeth. Partials use less material and are usually cheaper privately, though the exact cost depends on the framework. See the real prices below for both.
Why are private dentures so much more expensive?
Private dentures let you choose better materials and more natural-looking teeth, and the fit is often refined over more appointments. A flexible or metal-framed plate is more comfortable and durable than basic acrylic, but it costs more to make. The NHS keeps everything within one Band 3 charge, which is why it is cheaper if you can get an appointment.