The honest answer to what dentures cost in the UK is that it depends on how they are made and what you need them to do. On the NHS you pay one fixed charge. Privately you are paying for the material, the fit and how natural they look, and the range runs from a few hundred pounds to several thousand. This guide gives you the real 2026 figures for every type, the differences that move the price, and the ongoing costs most guides quietly leave out, so you can work out roughly what your own case will come to before you sit in a chair. Dentures are the same thing people often call false teeth, and you will see both words used here.
At Aqua Dental in Hatch End our private dentures start from £850 per arch. Where you land above that depends on the choices below.
Dentures on the NHS: one charge of £332.10
Dentures sit in NHS Band 3, the top band, which also covers crowns and bridges. As of April 2026 that band costs £332.10 in England, and it buys a full course of treatment however many appointments it takes. A full set of upper and lower dentures made in the same course still counts as one Band 3 charge, not two, which surprises a lot of people.
Some people pay nothing at all. NHS dental treatment is free if you are under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last twelve months, or receiving certain benefits such as Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. If you are on a low income the NHS Low Income Scheme may cover some or all of it. It is worth checking your eligibility on the NHS website before you assume you have to pay.
The NHS route is the cheapest way to replace missing teeth by a distance. The trade off is choice. NHS dentures are made to restore function rather than to be indistinguishable from natural teeth, the material options are limited to standard acrylic, and availability of NHS dental places across North West London is genuinely tight right now. If you can get an appointment and your priority is a working set of teeth at the lowest cost, this is your route.
The main types of denture, and what each one costs
Privately the number moves with the material and the technique. Below are the ranges you will see across UK practices in 2026. Treat them as typical bands rather than quotes, because the size of the case changes everything. Aqua’s own dentures start from £850 per arch.
| Type of denture | Typical UK private cost (per arch) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic full or partial | £700 to £1,400 | A cost-effective, straightforward set |
| Cobalt chrome (metal frame) | £750 to £1,500 | A slimmer, stronger partial denture |
| Flexible (flexi / nylon) | £1,000 to £2,000 | Comfort and no visible metal clasps |
| Immediate (same-day) | £900 to £1,800 | Leaving the surgery with teeth the day of extraction |
| Implant-retained (both arches) | £7,000 upward | A denture that clips firmly onto implants |
Full dentures
A full denture replaces an entire arch when all the natural teeth in it are gone. It rests on the gum and, on the upper jaw, is held by suction against the palate. Because everything depends on the fit, this is where taking time over the impressions and adjustments earns its keep.
Partial dentures
A partial fills the gaps where you still have some healthy teeth, and it clips to those teeth with small clasps. It uses less material, so it sits at the lower end of the price range, and it also helps stop your remaining teeth drifting into the space.
Flexible dentures
Flexible dentures, sometimes called flexi dentures or by brand names like Valplast, are made from a thin gum-coloured nylon instead of rigid acrylic. There are no metal clasps, so they look more discreet and many people find them more comfortable, which is why they cost more than a standard acrylic partial. They suit partial cases well. They are less suitable for a full arch and can be trickier to adjust later, so they are a considered choice rather than an automatic upgrade.
Cobalt chrome dentures
Here the framework is cast in a lightweight metal alloy rather than acrylic. That makes the denture thinner, stronger and less bulky against the palate, which many long-term wearers prefer. It is a premium partial option and priced accordingly.
Immediate, or same-day, dentures
An immediate denture is made in advance and fitted on the same day your natural teeth are taken out, so you never have to go without. The catch is that your gums shrink as they heal over the following months, so an immediate denture almost always needs a reline, and sometimes a remake, once things have settled. Budget for that second step rather than being caught out by it.
Permanent, fixed and implant-retained dentures
When people search for permanent or fixed dentures, they usually mean a denture anchored to dental implants so it does not come out at night and does not rock. A few implants hold the denture firmly, the bone underneath stays healthier, and adhesive becomes a thing of the past. It is the most expensive option upfront, with implants at Aqua starting from £3,000 per unit, and our implant-retained dentures page explains who it suits.
What about a single missing tooth?
You do not need a full plate to replace one tooth. A small partial denture, sometimes called a flipper, can fill a single gap cheaply, and prices for one tooth usually start in the low hundreds. For a longer-lasting fix a bridge or a single implant is worth weighing up, because a one-tooth denture is really a stopgap rather than a permanent answer.
Denture costs for pensioners, and who can get them free
There is no automatic pensioner discount on private dentures, and reaching state pension age does not by itself make NHS treatment free. What matters is your income. If you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, your NHS dentures are free. If you are on a modest fixed income, the NHS Low Income Scheme can cover part or all of the Band 3 charge, and an HC2 certificate means full help. So the practical advice for older patients is to check which of those you qualify for first, then decide between an NHS set and a private one on comfort and appearance rather than on price alone.
The costs nobody mentions: relines, repairs and remakes
A denture is not a one-off purchase, and any guide that stops at the sticker price is doing you a disservice. Your gums and jawbone slowly change shape after teeth are lost, so a denture that fit perfectly at fitting will loosen over a few years. Three ongoing costs follow from that.
A reline rebuilds the inner surface to match your changed gums, and it is a routine job you might need every two to three years. A repair, for a cracked plate or a broken tooth on the denture, is usually quick and inexpensive if you bring it in rather than reaching for a home kit, which tends to make things worse. A full remake becomes sensible after five to eight years, sometimes sooner. Budgeting for those from the start is far more comfortable than being surprised by them later. It is also part of why some patients eventually look at implants, which do not let the bone shrink away the way a plain denture allows.
A quick sense check on lifetime cost. A single acrylic set replaced a few times over a couple of decades adds up quietly. Our dentures page puts that lifetime figure from around £7,500, which is worth weighing against a more permanent option rather than only comparing day-one prices.
Dentures or implants?
This is not an either-or with a single right answer. Plenty of people do very well on a conventional denture for years and never need anything more. Where implants earn their place is when a denture keeps loosening, when you dislike anything removable, or when you want to protect the bone in your jaw for the long term. The sensible move is to make the choice knowing the whole picture, not just the first invoice, which is exactly what a consultation is for.
What dentures cost at Aqua Dental, Hatch End
Our private dentures start from £850 per arch, with the final figure confirmed after an examination once we can see what your mouth needs. We are open about this on our full fee guide, and if the cost is a hurdle, spreading it is straightforward through our membership and payment plans. Nobody should be putting off eating comfortably because of a bill they were not expecting. We see patients from Hatch End, Pinner, Harrow and across North West London.
Frequently asked questions
How much do a full set of dentures cost in the UK?
On the NHS a full set falls under one Band 3 charge of £332.10 in England. Privately, a full upper and lower set usually runs from around £1,700 upward depending on the material, and premium or implant-retained sets cost considerably more.
Are dentures the same as false teeth?
Yes. False teeth is just the everyday name for dentures. There is no difference between the two.
How much do flexible dentures cost?
Flexible or flexi dentures typically cost between £1,000 and £2,000 per arch privately, more than a standard acrylic partial, because of the comfort and the lack of visible metal clasps.
Can I get dentures free on the NHS?
Yes, if you qualify for free NHS dental treatment. That includes people under 18, pregnant patients or those with a baby under one, and people on certain benefits such as Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. The NHS Low Income Scheme helps others on a modest income.
How much are immediate or same-day dentures?
Immediate dentures usually cost from around £900 to £1,800 per arch privately. Remember they normally need a reline once your gums have healed, which is a separate cost to plan for.
How long do dentures last?
A well-made denture lasts roughly five to eight years before a remake makes sense, with a reline or two along the way as your gums change shape. Looking after them and keeping regular reviews stretches that out.
Can I pay for dentures monthly?
Yes. We offer payment plans so the cost can be spread rather than paid in one go. Ask us at your consultation and we will set out the options for your treatment.
Not sure which denture is right for you?
Come in for an assessment and we will give you a clear, itemised price for your case, with no pressure and no jargon. Book a consultation, or if you are joining us for the first time, start on our new patients page.
Reviewed by the clinical team at Aqua Dental Clinic, Hatch End. Prices correct as of 2026 and confirmed in writing after examination. NHS charges and eligibility can change, so check the NHS website for the current position. This article is general information, not a substitute for a dental assessment.