How much does it cost to remove all teeth and put in dentures?
The total cost to remove all your remaining teeth and get full dentures typically ranges from $3,000 to $13,000 for standard removable dentures. If you decide to choose high-end, implant-supported "snap-in" or permanent dentures, the cost can soar between $20,000 and $60,000+.
Because dental clinics rarely bundle these procedures into one flat rate, your final bill will depend heavily on how many teeth need to come out and the type of dentures you choose.
Cost Breakdown by Phase
A full mouth restoration requires multiple distinct medical steps. The costs without insurance generally break down as follows:
| Procedure Phase | Estimated Cost Range | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Extractions | $75 – $300 per simple tooth $200 – $600 per surgical tooth | Max price applies if teeth are broken, impacted, or deeply rooted. Full mouth removal spans up to 32 teeth. |
| 2. Immediate Dentures | $1,500 – $4,000 per arch ($3,000 – $8,000 total set) | Temporary dentures placed on the same day as extractions so you don't go toothless while healing. |
| 3. Bone Smoothing | $300 – $1,500 total | Called an alveoloplasty, this surgical reshaping ensures the jawbone is smooth enough for a denture to sit comfortably. |
| 4. Hard Relines | $200 – $500 per occurrence | Gums shrink significantly as they heal. You will need your immediate dentures professionally relined roughly 6 months down the road. |
| 5. Traditional Full Dentures | $1,000 – $4,000 per arch ($2,000 – $8,000 total set) | Your permanent, highly customized, final set of teeth created once your jaw has completely healed and stabilized. |
How much does it cost to pull all your teeth and replace with dentures?
The total cost to pull all your teeth and replace them with traditional dentures generally ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 for a single jaw (arch), or $6,000 to $15,000+ for a full mouth (both upper and lower arches). If you choose high-end materials or advanced options like implant-supported snap-in dentures, the total cost can surge to $20,000 to $40,000+.
Because the procedure involves multiple surgical and restorative steps, the final price tag depends on several individual factors.
Cost Breakdown of the Procedure
The final price is the combined total of the surgery (extractions) and the dental prosthetics (the dentures):
1. Tooth Extractions ($2,000 – $10,000+)
The surgical fee depends heavily on how many teeth you have left and how difficult they are to remove:
- Simple extractions: $75 to $300 per tooth.
- Surgical extractions (broken or impacted teeth): $200 to $800+ per tooth.
- Sedation/Anesthesia: Local numbing is usually included, but general anesthesia or IV sedation can add $250 to $600+ to the total bill.
2. The Dentures ($1,000 – $8,000+)
Prices vary widely based on the quality of the materials and how they attach to your mouth:
- Economy/Basic Dentures: $400 to $1,200 per arch. These use cheaper, pre-made shapes and wear out faster. Corporate providers like Aspen Dental or Affordable Dentures & Implants frequently advertise starting options in this lower bracket.
- Traditional / Mid-Range Full Dentures: $1,000 to $3,500 per arch. These use higher-quality acrylic or porcelain for a more natural look.
- Immediate (Same-Day) Dentures: $1,500 to $4,000 per arch. These are placed on your gums the exact same day your teeth are pulled so you do not have to go out in public toothless while healing.
Hidden & Long-Term Maintenance Costs
When reviewing a dental estimate, ensure it accounts for the hidden costs associated with how the mouth heals:
- Denture Relines ($200 – $500 per arch): After your teeth are pulled, your jawbone and gums will naturally shrink as they heal. Your initial dentures will become loose. You will need a professional "reline" within 3 to 6 months to reshape the denture to your new jaw.
- Bone Smoothing / Alveoloplasty ($300 – $1,500): Dentists often have to smooth out sharp bumps on the jawbone after an extraction so the denture can sit comfortably.
💳 Insurance and Ways to Save
- Dental Insurance: Most private dental insurance plans consider full extractions and dentures a major procedure and will cover up to 50% of the cost. However, be mindful of your plan's "annual maximum benefit" (usually capped between $1,000 and $2,500), which will limit how much the insurer pays out in a single year.
- Dental Schools: Getting treated by dental students supervised by board-certified prosthodontists can slash your costs by 30% to 50%.
- Dental Savings Plans: Programs like the Aspen Dental Savings Plan offer a flat-fee discount on extractions and dentures for an annual membership fee.
Can I just get all my teeth pulled and get dentures?
Yes, you can have all your remaining teeth removed and replaced with complete complete dentures. However, dentists usually try to save natural teeth whenever possible because dentures do not function as well as real teeth.
What to Know About Full Extractions and Dentures
- Preserving natural teeth: Treating and saving your natural teeth is almost always better for your long-term bite, comfort, and jawbone health.
- Bone loss: When you lose your teeth, the jawbone underneath starts to shrink and change shape over time.
- Chewing function: Traditional dentures only give you about 10% of the chewing power of real natural teeth.
- Timeline options: You can choose immediate dentures which are placed the same day your teeth are pulled, or conventional dentures which wait 8 to 12 weeks for your gums to heal first.
- Adjustments required: Gums and bone shrink as they heal, meaning same-day dentures will need relining or replacement later.
Does it hurt to get all your teeth pulled for dentures?
Getting all your teeth pulled for dentures does not hurt during the procedure because dentists use local anesthesia or sedation to completely numb your mouth.
During the Procedure
- You will feel pressure and movement, but no sharp pain.
- Dentists can use IV sedation or general anesthesia if you feel anxious.
- The numbing medicine stops you from feeling the extractions as they happen.
After the Procedure
- Soreness and swelling start once the numbing medicine wears off.
- Pain usually peaks in the first 24 to 72 hours.
- Gums feel tender because they have fresh wounds, especially if you wear immediate dentures right away.
How to Manage Pain
- Pain relievers: Take over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen or prescribed pills.
- Cold packs: Use ice packs on your face for 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
- Saltwater rinses: Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after the first day to clean the area.
- Soft foods: Eat things like yogurt, soup, and mashed potatoes while your gums heal.
Do they put you to sleep when they pull all your teeth for dentures?
No, you are usually not put fully to sleep with general anesthesia when having all your teeth pulled for dentures, but you can choose sedation options to help you relax.
How Anesthesia Works for Extractions
- Local numbing: Dentists always use local anesthetics to numb your gums and jaw completely so you do not feel pain.
- Conscious sedation: Most procedures use oral sedatives (pills) or IV sedation. This puts you in a deep, dream-like sleep or "twilight state" where you are awake and responsive, but you feel no pain and often remember nothing about the procedure.
- General anesthesia: Being put completely to sleep is rare for routine extractions. Dentists reserve full general anesthesia for very complex surgeries, severe medical conditions, or extreme dental phobia.
Most users on Reddit agree that IV or oral sedation made them feel like they slept through the whole process, even though they were technically conscious. You can read more about what to expect during this process at Walden Beavers Dentistry.
How much do dentures cost?
How long do I have to wait to get dentures after my teeth are pulled?
You can get dentures on the same day your teeth are pulled, or you can wait 8 to 12 weeks for your gums and bone to heal.
The right choice depends on the type of denture you select.
Immediate (Same-Day) Dentures
- The Wait: No wait time. They are placed the exact day your teeth are extracted.
- How it works: Your dentist takes impressions of your mouth before your teeth are pulled.
- Pros: You never have to go without teeth. They protect your gums like a bandage while healing.
- Cons: Your gums and jawbone change shape as they heal. This means your immediate dentures will become loose and require adjustments, a relining, or a full replacement after a few months.
Conventional (Traditional) Dentures
- The Wait: You wait 8 to 12 weeks (or up to 3 to 6 months in some cases) after extractions.
- How it works: Your mouth heals completely and your jawbone finishes its initial reshaping before the final mold is made.
- Pros: They fit much better and last longer because they are built for your healed mouth shape.
- Cons: You must go without teeth during the entire healing and fabrication period.
What is the cheapest way to replace all teeth?
Traditional full removable dentures are the cheapest way to replace all of your teeth.
Cost and Overview
- Cost: Full sets typically range from $1,500 to $3,000 for standard upper and lower arches, though economy options can sometimes be found starting around $800 to $1,200 per arch.
- Process: They sit on top of the gums and are removable for cleaning and sleeping.
- Pros: They require no surgery, involve a short recovery time, and have the lowest initial price tag.
- Cons: They can slip, affect chewing efficiency, and require periodic adjustments or replacements as your jawbone changes shape over time.
Alternative Budget-Friendly Options
- Implant-Retained Overdentures: Snap-on or snap-in dentures secured by a small number of dental implants (usually 2 to 4 per arch). They cost more than traditional dentures (often starting around $5,000 to $6,000 per arch) but offer much better stability and prevent slipping.
- Dental Financing: Many corporate dental networks and local clinics offer monthly payment plans or low-interest financing to spread out the cost of full restorations.
How long does it take to remove all teeth and get dentures?
It takes anywhere from a single day to 3 to 6 months to remove all teeth and get dentures, depending on whether you choose immediate or conventional dentures.
Option 1: Immediate (Same-Day) Dentures
- Timeline: 1 day.
- Process: Your dentist takes impressions of your mouth before pulling your teeth. They extract your remaining teeth and place the temporary Immediate Dentures right away.
- Pros: You never have to go without teeth in public.
- Cons: Your gums and bone shrink as they heal, meaning these temporary dentures need frequent adjustments, relining, or a full replacement set after a few months.
Option 2: Conventional (Traditional) Dentures
- Timeline: 3 to 4 months total.
- Process: Your dentist extracts all your teeth and waits 8 to 12 weeks for your gums and jawbone to heal and reshape completely. Afterward, they take new impressions and spend 2 to 4 weeks making your permanent custom dentures.
- Pros: They fit much better and last longer because they are built on a stable, healed jawbone.
- Cons: You must go without teeth during the healing and fabrication period.
Factors That Change the Timeline
- Healing speed: General health and immune response.
- Bone health: If you need bone smoothing or extra prep work.
- Staged extractions: Some dentists pull teeth in phases rather than all at once.
What is a better option than dentures?
Dental implants are widely considered the best permanent alternative to traditional dentures because they function and feel like natural teeth.
Top Alternatives to Dentures
- Dental Implants: A titanium post is placed in your jawbone to act as an artificial root, holding a custom crown. They do not slip, prevent bone loss, and can last a lifetime.
- All-on-4 / Hybrid Dentures: A full arch of replacement teeth is permanently fixed in place using just four dental implants. This provides a rock-solid bite without needing an individual implant for every missing tooth.
- Implant-Supported Overdentures ("Snap-Ins"): These are removable dentures that snap securely onto a few dental implants. They offer much more stability than regular dentures and stop slipping, but cost less than a full fixed arch.
- Fixed Dental Bridges: False teeth are anchored to healthy neighboring natural teeth with crowns. They do not require surgery, but they do require reshaping the adjacent teeth.
- Resin-Bonded Bridges: Also called Maryland bridges, these use metal or porcelain "wings" glued to the back of adjacent teeth. They are minimally invasive and best for replacing front teeth.
You can read a detailed breakdown of options and financing on the CareCredit Guide to Replacing Teeth.
What type of dentures are the most comfortable to wear?
Implant-supported or fixed dentures (such as All-on-4) are widely considered the most comfortable to wear because they anchor directly to the jawbone, eliminating slipping, rubbing, and the need for messy adhesives.
Top Comfort Options
- Implant-Supported / Fixed Bridges: These do not move, distribute biting force evenly, and often leave the roof of the mouth (palate) uncovered for a natural feel.
- Snap-In (Implant-Retained) Dentures: These snap securely onto dental implants for much better stability than traditional options while remaining removable for easy cleaning.
- Flexible Partial Dentures: For those missing only some teeth, flexible materials like nylon adapt smoothly to gum contours without rigid metal clasps.
- Custom Premium Dentures: High-craftsmanship removable full dentures offer a personalized acrylic contour that reduces pressure points better than standard economy sets.