Bite me! How much do dentures cost?
The cost of dentures can exceed $3,000 in Australia, but these $3/week extras policies can knock hundreds off that.
Key takeaways
- The cost of dentures ranges from aroun $1,000 - $2,500 per jaw. So up to $5,000 for both top and bottom.
- Medicare doesn't cover the cost of dentures, though there are some limited state schemes.
- Some extras policies can cover part of the cost of dentures.
Cost of dentures
Without private health insurance, the average set of dentures runs between $1,000 and $2,500 per jaw. So if you need dentures for both the upper and lower jaw, it should cost somewhere in the range of $2,000 and $5,000.
Note these are just averages from the 2022 Australian Dental Fee Survey. You may pay more or less depending on what you need and the clinic you use. Here's a breakdown of the exact averages the survey found:
| Denture type | Average cost |
|---|---|
Complete maxillary denture (upper jaw) | $1,522 |
Complete mandibular denture (lower jaw) | $1,534 |
Complete maxillary and mandibular dentures (both jaws) | $2,765 |
Partial maxillary denture - resin base | $883 |
Partial maxillary denture - cast metal framework | $1,625 |
Compare health insurance for dentures
Here are a few policies from Finder policies that will cover dentures. You can compare private health insurance from 40+ companies here, or just check our best health insurance page for a selection of great policies. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $97,000 income and living in Sydney.
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Are dentures covered by Medicare?
No, Medicare does not cover the cost of dentures. However, there are some state-based dental programs that provide some public dental services, which can include dentures, to people who can't afford them. Typically, you'll need to be receiving some sort of government benefit to be eligilbe, and use a specific clinic.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) also gives eligible children access to dentures. You can find out whether you or your child might be eligible here. Additionally, the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) offers some dental services for people who have served in the military and their familes.
Who can get free Dentures?
"My grandma and pop had dentures for most of my life - which I guess was about a third of their lives. They certainly freaked me out as a kid - I still remembering my mum shout "Don't use the cup next to this bathroom sink!". They didn't have a lot of money, but they were able to get free dentures through the Department of Veteran Affairs, as pop was in the navy in the 1940s. If they didn't have access to that, the cost of dentures could have been a massive issue for them."
Does private health insurance cover dentures?
Yes, you can get cover for dentures with most mid-range extras policies which cost around $5 a week. It's likely to pay you around $600 towards the cost of treatment. A more comprehensive policy should be able to reimburse you for more than $1,200.
A mid-range policy will also give you health insurance for general dental as well. You'll also be covered for things like dental care, optical and physio – most of which isn't covered by Medicare.
You should find dentures covered under major dental. Major dental includes more complex procedures than general dental (which covers things like check-ups and cleaning and scaling) such as wisdom teeth removal, crowns, bridges and dentures.
Finder survey: How satisfied are Australians with their current dental insurance coverage?
Response | |
|---|---|
| Somewhat satisfied | 54.97% |
| Very satisfied | 36.84% |
| Not satisfied | 8.19% |
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1006 Australians, December 2023
Are there waiting periods for dentures?
Yes. When you sign up to a policy that covers dentures, you'll usually have to serve a 12-month waiting period before you're eligible for cover.
It may seem like a while, but it's so that insurance companies aren't overwhelmed with people buying policies only when they need treatment for something. If you need treatment now, it might be possible to get health insurance without waiting periods.
Luckily though, there are lots of other services including general dental, physio, optical and chiro that don't have as long a waiting period, so there are still lots of ways you can benefit from having an extras policy before you're eligible for dentures cover.
How can I pay for dentures?
Some of the ways you can pay for dentures include:
- Taking out an extras policy that covers dentures. You'll find that it's included with most major dental services.
- Taking out combined cover. It may be a smart idea to take out combined hospital and extras cover, particularly if you're a senior. It's often better value for money and lets you receive private care in a private hospital. It also ensures you're not left on a public waiting list. You can find health insurance policies for seniors here.
- Medicare. If you're not able to afford an extras policy or to pay for dentures outright, you might be eligible for dentures through Medicare.
- Medical loan. If you can't pay for treatment up-front but don't want to wait, a medical loan is worth thinking about – just be sure you can make the repayments.
- Pay the full price. If you don't want private health insurance, you can pay for dentures on your own. Just remember they won't be cheap.
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