How much do dentures cost?

Key takeaways

Dentures are replacement teeth.
The cost can vary widely, but the average cost for dentures in Canada can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Health and dental insurance may cover some of the cost of dentures.

What are dentures?

Basically, they’re replacement teeth – whether that’s a whole set or a single denture to replace a missing tooth.

There are different ways of replacing missing teeth and restoring function, depending on the situation. Some of the most common include:

Partial denture: This is used when you still have one or more teeth of your own, filling in a gap where natural teeth have been lost. These are removable.
Complete denture: This is a full set of replacement teeth that are removable. They can be made from porcelain or acrylic material.
Fixed bridge: Generally used to fill a single tooth gap, this surgical procedure works by placing a crown on either side of the replacement tooth to keep it in place. You can’t remove this kind of denture.
Implants: These are posts surgically placed in your jawbone, mimicking your natural tooth’s roots. They’re then “loaded” with a prosthetic tooth on top.

Who needs dentures?

Dentures aren’t just for the elderly. If you’ve lost a tooth or teeth, your dentist may suggest dentures at any age.

Some common reasons folks need dentures include:

Gum disease that has led to tooth loss.
Tooth decay that requires a tooth or teeth to be removed.
Missing teeth because of an accident or injury.
Weakened teeth, due to illness or genetics.

How much do dentures cost in Canada?

This will depend on the kind of denture you need, and the procedures involved in your particular situation. You may need teeth removed beforehand, for example, and there are often various lab fees, x-rays etc. involved as well.

This means the average cost can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

That said, many dentists base their prices on fee guides issued by each Canadian province or territory’s dental association. These are also the numbers insurance companies use when they’re calculating how much of a procedure’s cost is eligible for coverage. This means if your dentist charges more than the provincial fee guide price, you may have to pay more out of pocket.

To get a rough idea of what you might expect to pay, here are the suggested fees for a complete maxillary, or upper jaw, denture in a few different provinces in 2024.

For a complete mandibular, or lower jaw, denture, you could expect to pay something around:

Alberta | PDF 1MBOpens a new website in a new window: $968.41
British Columbia | PDF 344kb:Opens a new website in a new window $1077.00
Nova Scotia: $1131.00

These numbers don’t include lab fees, which can vary.

If you need both top and bottom dentures, you can expect to pay around $2000 plus lab fees, based on these suggested prices.

Will insurance pay for dentures in Canada?

Certain Canadians may be eligible for some coverage under federal or provincial dental programs. You may have some coverage under your workplace or personal health and dental insurance.

Dentures are generally covered by what is called “major dental coverage,” which can also cover some of the cost of other dental procedures like crowns.

What’s next?

If you have workplace or personal health and dental insurance, check to see if your plan includes Major Dental coverage.
If you don’t have health and dental insurance, explore Canada Life’s Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, which offers plans that can include the option to add Major Dental coverage when you apply.
Then, if you think you need dentures, work with your dentist to find the right fit for you and your situation. If coverage is available, consider sending an estimate to your insurer to see how much of this cost will be covered by your plan.

The information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date of publication, but rules and interpretations may change. This information is general in nature, and is intended for informational purposes only. For specific situations you should consult the appropriate legal, accounting or tax advisor.