Updated May 2026
NHS Denture Cost: £332.10 (Band 3, April 2026)
NHS full or partial dentures are £332.10 from 1 April 2026 (Band 3 charge). One charge whether you need a partial denture, a full upper, a full lower, or a complete set of both in the same course. Repairs to existing dentures are Band 1 (£27.90).
BAND 3 CHARGE (APRIL 2026)
£332.10
One charge for any combination of dentures in the same course.
£332.10 covers everything for new dentures: impressions, fitting, adjustments, and post-fitting refinement. If extractions or other Band 2 work are needed in the same course, they are included in the £332.10 too.
NHS dentures are typically delivered over 4-6 appointments: impressions, bite registration, try-in, fit, and one or two review/adjustment visits.
NHS vs private denture cost
| Denture type | NHS availability | NHS cost | Private cost (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic partial denture (1-3 teeth) | Standard NHS option | £332.10 (Band 3) | £400-900 |
| Acrylic partial denture (4+ teeth) | Standard NHS option | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-1,100 |
| Full upper acrylic denture | Standard NHS option | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-1,200 |
| Full lower acrylic denture | Standard NHS option | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-1,200 |
| Full upper and lower set, same course | NHS option, one course | £332.10 (Band 3) | £900-2,400 |
| Cobalt-chrome partial denture | NHS-permitted, clinical case | £332.10 (Band 3) | £700-1,500 |
| Flexible (nylon / Valplast) | Not generally NHS | Private only typically | £600-1,400 |
| Premium hand-finished full set | Not NHS | Private only | £1,500-2,500 |
| Implant-retained denture | Very limited NHS access | Typically private | £2,000-7,000+ |
Private ranges sourced from Which? UK dental guides and Bupa Dental Care published price tiers.
Denture repairs are Band 1, not Band 3
If your existing denture cracks, a tooth falls out, or a clasp breaks, the repair is part of the Band 1 charge (£27.90) provided no other treatment is needed in the same course. You do not pay £332.10 for a denture repair.
Minor adjustments (sore spots, slight loosening) are also Band 1. Bigger work, such as adding teeth to an existing denture or relining the fitting surface, can fall into Band 2 (£76.60) depending on the practice and the procedure required. Replacement of a denture (rather than repair) is Band 3 (£332.10).
Always ask the dentist or receptionist what band the work falls into before the appointment so there are no surprises.
Extractions plus dentures in the same course
A common situation: teeth need to be extracted and the patient wants a partial denture to fill the resulting gap. If extraction and denture are agreed at the same examination as one treatment plan, the whole course is Band 3 (£332.10), including the extractions.
If the extractions are done first as a separate course and the denture decision comes later (a new exam, new course), the total is £76.60 (Band 2 for the extractions) plus £332.10 (Band 3 for the denture) = £408.70. The same-course route saves £76.60.
Discuss this with the dentist at the start. The decision on whether work is one course or two has a meaningful cost impact and the dentist sets the boundaries based on the clinical situation.
Free dentures: who qualifies
Dentures are free on the NHS for under-18s, under-19s in qualifying education, pregnant women and women within 12 months of birth (Maternity Exemption Certificate), and people on Income Support, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, qualifying Universal Credit, or holding an HC2 certificate. The £332.10 charge does not apply. Age alone does not exempt pensioners; only specific benefit-based qualifying applies. See the full free treatment guide.