This is one of the most common questions people ask before starting full mouth dental treatment. The honest answer is that costs vary a lot depending on what you need. But we can give you real numbers to work with.
In Australia, removing all your teeth and getting a full set of dentures costs between $4,000 and $15,000 AUD in total. The price depends on how many teeth need pulling, the type of dentures you choose, and whether you need extra treatment like bone grafting beforehand.
This article breaks down every cost involved so you know what to expect before you walk into a dental clinic.
What does it cost to get all your teeth pulled in Australia?
Dental extractions are priced per tooth. A simple extraction, where the tooth comes out cleanly, costs between $150 and $350 AUD per tooth. A surgical extraction, where the tooth is broken or sitting deep in the gum, costs between $300 and $600 AUD per tooth.
If you need all 28 teeth removed, you’re looking at anywhere from $4,200 to $16,800 AUD for extractions alone. But most people don’t need every single tooth pulled. Some teeth may already be missing, and dentists often work in stages to reduce cost and discomfort.
Many clinics offer a full mouth extraction under general anaesthetic, which puts you to sleep for the whole procedure. It’s more comfortable but adds hospital and anaesthetic fees, pushing the total cost up by $1,500 to $3,000 AUD or more.
How much does a full set of dentures cost in Australia?
Once your teeth are out, you need something to replace them. A full set of dentures (upper and lower plates) costs between $2,000 and $5,000 AUD for standard acrylic dentures.
Here’s a rough breakdown by type:
- Economy acrylic dentures (basic, functional), $1,000 to $2,000 AUD per arch
- Mid-range acrylic dentures (better fit, more natural look), $1,500 to $3,000 AUD per arch
- Premium dentures (flexible, high-quality materials, best aesthetics), $2,500 to $5,000 AUD per arch
- Immediate dentures (fitted the same day teeth are removed), add $500 to $1,500 AUD to the above
Immediate dentures are placed right after extraction so you’re never left without teeth. But they need adjustments as your gums heal and shrink over the following months, which adds to the long-term cost.
What is the total cost to remove all teeth and get dentures in Australia?
Adding extractions and dentures together, here’s what a realistic full mouth treatment costs:
- Basic package (simple extractions, economy dentures), $4,000 to $7,000 AUD
- Mid-range package (mix of simple and surgical extractions, mid-range dentures), $7,000 to $12,000 AUD
- Premium package (complex extractions, general anaesthetic, premium dentures), $12,000 to $20,000 AUD
These are real-world estimates based on Australian dental fee surveys published by the Australian Dental Association. Your dentist’s quote may sit above or below these ranges depending on your specific situation.
Does Medicare pay for a full set of dentures?
Standard Medicare doesn’t cover dental treatment for adults. This includes extractions and dentures. Medicare only covers dental care in very limited emergency situations through public hospital emergency departments.
But there are two government programs that can help:
- Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) covers children aged 2 to 17 for basic dental work, but this doesn’t apply to full extractions and dentures.
- The public dental scheme in each state and territory offers subsidised treatment for eligible adults, including pensioners and Health Care Card holders. Wait times are long, sometimes 12 to 24 months, but treatment is low cost or free. You apply through your state health department.
Your private health insurance may also contribute. Most extras policies with dental cover pay a percentage of denture costs, typically 50 to 60 percent up to your annual limit. Check your policy for exact benefits and any waiting periods. Most funds have a 12-month waiting period before they pay for dentures.
How do I get dentures if I cannot afford them?
There are several real options if cost is a barrier:
- Public dental clinics. If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or DVA card, you qualify for low-cost or free dental treatment through your state government. Search for your state public dental service to find the closest clinic and join the waitlist.
- Payment plans. Most private dental practices offer in-house payment plans or work with finance providers like DentiCare, Afterpay, or Humm. These let you spread the cost over 12 to 24 months, sometimes interest free.
- Super early access. In some circumstances, the Australian Tax Office allows early access to superannuation for medical treatment including dental. This requires an application and approval, but it’s worth looking into if your situation is serious.
- Dental schools. University dental clinics in most capital cities offer treatment at significantly reduced rates. Work is done by supervised dental students, so it takes longer but costs 40 to 60 percent less than a private clinic.
- Community health centres. Many local community health services provide low-cost dental care regardless of your card status. Contact your local council to find what’s available in your area.
Is there a better option than dentures?
This is where a lot of people end up when they start researching full mouth replacement. Dentures are the lowest upfront cost, but they come with real long-term problems.
Traditional dentures sit on top of the gum. They don’t connect to the jaw bone. Over time, the bone underneath shrinks because there are no tooth roots stimulating it. This is called bone resorption, and it causes dentures to become loose and ill-fitting within a few years. Most people need their dentures relined or replaced every 5 to 7 years, adding ongoing costs.
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Dentures also reduce your biting force significantly. Research published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that denture wearers bite with about 20 percent of the force of people with natural teeth. This limits what you can eat and affects nutrition over time.
For people who want a permanent solution, All-on-4 dental implants are worth serious consideration. Instead of sitting on the gum, All-on-4 uses four titanium implants that screw directly into the jaw bone. A full arch of fixed teeth attaches to those implants. They don’t come out. You brush them like normal teeth.
The implants fuse to the jaw bone through a process called osseointegration, which stops bone loss from happening. This is the key difference. All-on-4 preserves your jaw structure long term, while dentures don’t.
How much do All-on-4 dental implants cost compared to dentures?
All-on-4 costs more upfront. A full arch typically costs between $15,000 and $25,000 AUD, and a full mouth (upper and lower) is between $25,000 and $50,000 AUD.
But when you factor in the long-term picture, the gap narrows. Dentures need relining, remaking, and ongoing adjustments. Add those costs over 20 years and dentures aren’t as cheap as they first appear. All-on-4 implants, with proper care, can last a lifetime.
Some clinics also offer All-on-6, which uses six implants per arch for extra stability, particularly useful if you have lower bone density. Bone grafting may be needed before implants if you’ve already experienced significant bone loss, and this adds to the cost and treatment time.
For people with very low bone density in the upper jaw, a procedure called a sinus lift may be needed. This adds bone to the area near the sinuses to create enough support for implants. It adds cost and a healing period, but it makes implants possible in situations where they otherwise wouldn’t be.
What happens to your jaw bone after all your teeth are removed?
When a tooth is extracted, the jaw bone around the empty socket starts to shrink. In the first year after extraction, you can lose up to 25 percent of the bone width in that area. Over 3 years, that bone loss continues.
This is why timing matters. If you know you want implants eventually, getting them sooner after extraction preserves more bone and often reduces the need for bone grafting. Waiting years with dentures means more bone loss, which makes implant treatment more complex and more expensive.
A dentist or periodontist can assess your bone levels with a CBCT scan, a 3D X-ray of your jaw, to determine how much bone you have and what treatment is possible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the full process take from extractions to final dentures?
If you get immediate dentures, you leave with teeth the same day extractions happen. But your gums take 3 to 6 months to fully heal and settle. After that, your dentist adjusts or remakes the dentures to fit your final gum shape. The whole process from extraction to final fitting takes around 6 to 9 months.
Can I get extractions and dentures done at the same dentist?
Yes. Most general dentists handle both extractions and dentures. If your case is complex, for example if you need surgical extractions or have gum disease that needs treatment first, you may be referred to an oral surgeon or periodontist for part of the work.
Do dentures look natural?
Modern dentures look much better than older versions. Premium acrylic dentures can closely mimic the look of natural teeth. That said, they don’t look or feel exactly like real teeth, and over time as the jaw bone changes, the fit and appearance can shift.
Is it painful to get all your teeth removed?
You’re numbed with local anaesthetic during the procedure, so you feel pressure but not pain. After the extractions, you’ll have soreness for several days. Most people manage this with over-the-counter pain relief. If you choose general anaesthetic, you wake up after the procedure is done.
What is the cheapest way to replace all my teeth in Australia?
The cheapest option is economy acrylic dentures through a public dental clinic if you’re eligible. If you’re not eligible for public dental, economy dentures through a private clinic with a payment plan is the next most affordable path. Dental schools also offer good value for straightforward cases.
Are All-on-4 implants worth it compared to dentures?
For most people who can afford the upfront cost, yes. All-on-4 implants are fixed, don’t move, preserve the jaw bone, and allow normal eating. They remove the daily maintenance and social anxiety that comes with removable dentures. Over a 20-year period, the total cost difference between All-on-4 and replacing dentures multiple times is smaller than it looks at first.
If you want to explore All-on-4 as an alternative to full dentures, talking to a dentist who specialises in implant treatment is the best first step. They can assess your bone levels, explain what’s possible, and give you a treatment plan with real numbers based on your situation.
Ready to Take the Next Step for Your Dental Health?
Talk with our team about your concerns and the most appropriate next step.
