How much do dentures cost in Cape Town?

There is no fixed national price for dentures in South Africa, and the cost varies widely, driven mainly by the type of denture and the material used. A full denture generally costs more than a partial denture. A written quotation from the practice, after an examination, is the only reliable way to know what your own dentures will cost.

In short

• Each dental practice sets its own fees for dentures, and there is no government price list for private dental treatment.
• The cost of dentures varies widely, driven mainly by whether the denture is full or partial, and the material used.
• Dentures are custom-made for your mouth by a dental laboratory, and the process usually takes several visits over a number of weeks.
• Medical aid schemes generally include some cover for dentures as part of everyday dentistry, with a separate, more limited benefit for a metal partial frame.
• A written quotation from the practice, after an examination, is the only reliable way to know the cost of your own dentures.

This article is part of the dentures information on this site for patients in Cape Town.

What does having dentures made involve?

Dentures are a removable appliance that replace some or all of your natural teeth, fitting over the gums and, for a partial denture, clipping onto any teeth you have left. A complete denture replaces a full upper or lower arch, and a partial denture fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth. The process starts with an impression, or mould, of your mouth, followed by a series of appointments over several weeks while the denture is built up and shaped, often with a wax trial fitted first so that you and your dentist can check the fit and appearance before it is finished by the dental laboratory. Getting used to a new denture takes time, and some mild discomfort or a few sore spots in the first weeks is normal while your mouth adjusts. Regular check-ups afterward let your dentist adjust the fit as your gums and jawbone change shape over time.

What drives the cost of dentures?

The type of denture is the biggest factor. A full denture, replacing an entire arch, generally costs more than a partial denture replacing only a few teeth, and a denture with a metal (cobalt-chromium) frame costs more than a plain acrylic (plastic) one, because it is stronger and more precisely fitted. A denture is made by a dental laboratory from the impression your dentist takes, and this laboratory fee is a significant part of the total cost, alongside the number of clinical visits needed to fit and adjust it. How many teeth need to be removed first, and how much healing time your mouth needs before the denture is made, also affects the overall timeline and cost.

How do South African medical aids treat dentures?

Medical aid schemes generally include some cover for plastic (acrylic) dentures as part of everyday dentistry, usually on a multi-year cycle and subject to pre-authorisation. These scheme benefits are not a practice’s fee, and many dentists charge more than the scheme pays, so the patient often pays that difference as a co-payment. A metal partial frame denture is generally treated separately, as specialised dentistry, with its own more limited benefit. Diagnostic and provisional dentures, and the laboratory delivery fee, are commonly excluded. Some schemes group dentures together with crowns, bridges and other “dental appliances” under one combined yearly limit instead. What dental work does medical aid usually not cover? covers more of these limits.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

For a figure for your own dentures, call the practice’s reception, where fees are discussed, and ask for a written quotation after an examination. BRS Dental is not registered with medical aids, so it does not claim from them directly, but reception can help you submit your claim to your medical aid. For anything clinical, contact Dr Davies. Cover and limits differ from scheme to scheme, so check your own plan too.