Acrylic dentures are the most common type of removable denture fitted by UK dentists, and the price difference between options can run to thousands of pounds.
An acrylic denture is a removable plastic prosthesis with replacement teeth set into a gum-coloured base. They suit patients missing one tooth, several teeth, or a full arch. The fitting process, comfort, and cost vary significantly by case.
This guide covers what acrylic dentures are made of, how they’re fitted, partial vs full options, UK cost ranges, and what to expect from a denture consultation in North London.
What Are Acrylic Dentures?
An acrylic denture is a removable dental prosthesis made from medical-grade acrylic resin with replacement teeth set into a pink gum-coloured base. The appliance sits on the gums and rests against any remaining natural teeth for stability.
Acrylic dentures are the most widely fitted denture type in the UK. They’re cost-effective, straightforward to adjust, and can be relined as gums change shape over time. Many UK fee schedules list “plastic dentures” as a category, which reflects the same acrylic resin material.
The two broad categories are partial dentures (replacing some missing teeth, clipped onto remaining ones) and full dentures (replacing every tooth in an upper or lower arch). The right choice depends on remaining-tooth count, gum condition, and chewing-function priorities.
Their main advantages are affordability, easy adjustment, and simple repair if a tooth or section is damaged. The trade-offs are that they cover a little more of the palate than some alternatives and need a short adjustment period before chewing feels natural. For most patients these are reasonable compromises for a removable option that can be relined and updated as the mouth changes over the years.
Helpful Tip: Bring a list of current medications to your first denture consultation. Some long-term medications affect saliva flow, which influences denture retention.
How Acrylic Dentures Are Made & Fitted
Making an acrylic denture is a multi-appointment lab process. Most UK patients need 4 to 5 visits over several weeks before a denture is delivered.
The lab process. Your dentist takes impressions of your gums and remaining teeth at the first appointment, with bite registration. The lab pours these into models, sets denture teeth into a wax base, and returns the wax try-in for you to test. After tooth-position adjustments, the wax is converted into cured acrylic resin and polished, ready for fitting.
The visits are deliberately spaced a week or two apart so the lab has time to build and refine the denture between each stage, and so your dentist can check the fit and bite at every step rather than rushing to a final result. The wax try-in is the most important of these, as it lets you preview the tooth shape, shade, and position and request changes before the denture is permanently cured.
Materials. Modern denture acrylic resin is a heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate used in dental labs worldwide for decades. It’s tooth-coloured in the teeth section and pink in the gum section, and accepts polish and minor in-clinic adjustments without losing strength.
Expert Tip: A 4-week relining check after fitting is recommended because gum tissue settles in the first month, and a small relining adjustment dramatically improves long-term comfort.
Acrylic Dentures Cost in the UK
Acrylic dentures cost less than flexible, metal-framework, or implant-supported alternatives, which is why they’re the most common UK denture choice. Cost depends on partial or full coverage and whether you go private or NHS.
UK private acrylic denture prices typically land in these ranges:
- Partial acrylic denture (private): £350 to £1,200 per arch, depending on tooth count and finish
- Full acrylic denture (private): £500 to £1,200 per arch
- Complete upper + lower set (private): £1,000 to £2,400 combined
Premium tier dentures use higher-quality teeth and a more refined gum finish, but the underlying acrylic resin is broadly the same across tiers.
We fit acrylic dentures at Smiledent from £475 (partial) and £800 (full), with 0% finance available over 12 months.
Partial vs Full Acrylic Dentures
The right type depends on how many natural teeth you still have, the condition of your gums, and how much chewing function you want to recover. This is the key decision for most patients before booking, so it’s worth a closer look.
Partial acrylic dentures. A partial acrylic denture replaces some missing teeth and clips onto remaining natural teeth using small metal or moulded acrylic clasps. They suit patients with gaps from extraction who still have several healthy adjacent teeth. An upper partial acrylic denture is the most commonly fitted variant in the UK, often replacing 2 to 6 missing front or back teeth.
Full acrylic dentures. A full acrylic denture replaces every tooth in either the upper or lower arch. Full dentures rest on the gums and use a snug fit and saliva film for retention. They’re the right route when no natural teeth remain, or when remaining teeth aren’t viable to support a partial.
Whichever type you have, expect a short settling-in period while your tongue and cheeks learn the new shape. Reading aloud at home and starting with softer foods both speed this up, and most patients feel settled within a few weeks.
For broader material context, see our flexible dentures cost guide, which covers the nylon-resin alternative used by some patients with metal allergies or fit concerns.
Acrylic Dentures at Smiledent in North London
We fit acrylic dentures at Smiledent for patients across North London. Our denture process follows the standard UK 4 to 5 appointment lab workflow with in-house consultation, impressions, wax try-in, fitting, and a 4-week post-fitting review. We keep you under review after fitting too, so any pressure spots can be eased and a reline arranged once the gums have fully settled.
Partial plastic dentures at Smiledent start at £475 per arch and full plastic dentures from £800 per arch. We offer 0% finance for up to 12 months on qualifying treatment.
Helpful Tip: Ask for a written timeline at your consultation that lists each appointment, the gap between visits, and what you’ll be charged at each stage.
Frequently Asked Questions – Acrylic Dentures
Below are common questions UK patients ask about acrylic dentures, costs, and the fitting process.
What are acrylic dentures made of?
Acrylic dentures are made from medical-grade polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin with denture-grade teeth set into a pink gum-coloured base. The materials are food-safe, heat-cured, and the standard denture material in UK clinics for decades.
How long do acrylic dentures last?
Most acrylic dentures last 5 to 10 years with regular cleaning. Gums change shape over time, which is why most patients need a reline after 2 to 5 years and a full replacement around year 10.
Can you eat normally with acrylic dentures?
Most patients regain normal eating function within a few weeks of fitting. Soft foods are easier in the first week. Hard or sticky foods take more practice; tough cuts of meat are easier cut into smaller pieces.
How much do acrylic dentures cost in the UK?
UK private acrylic dentures cost from around £350 to £1,200 per arch, depending on partial or full coverage and finish tier.
Are acrylic dentures comfortable?
Acrylic dentures feel different in the first 2 to 4 weeks while your tongue, cheeks, and gums adjust. Most patients describe them as comfortable after the settling period and the 4-week relining check.
How do you clean acrylic dentures?
Brush them with a soft denture brush and mild soap twice a day, then soak in a denture cleaner solution overnight. Avoid hot water (it warps the resin) and whitening toothpastes (they scratch the polished surface).
Can acrylic dentures be repaired?
Yes. Cracked or chipped acrylic dentures can usually be repaired in-clinic or by a lab within a day or two. Lost teeth can be re-set and the gum base re-polished. Repairs are cheaper than full replacement.
What’s the difference between acrylic and flexible dentures?
Acrylic dentures use a rigid heat-cured plastic base with metal clasps for partial designs. Flexible dentures use a softer nylon-resin base with no metal, suiting patients with metal allergies. Acrylic is generally cheaper and easier to adjust.
Acrylic Dentures: What to Remember
Acrylic dentures are the most widely fitted UK denture type for a reason. They’re cost-effective, repairable, fit a wide range of cases from a single tooth to a full arch, and can be relined as gums change. The trade-off compared with flexible or implant-retained options is fit refinement and chewing power, which both improve substantially after a 4-week settling and relining check.
The key points to remember when comparing your options:
- Acrylic dentures are removable plastic prostheses fitted across 4 to 5 appointments
- UK private prices typically run £350 to £1,200 per arch depending on case and finish
- Lifespan is 5 to 10 years with regular cleaning and a reline after 2 to 5 years
- Repairs are usually possible in-clinic or via a dental lab within a day or two
The right partial or full acrylic denture comes down to clinical assessment, gum condition, and finish preference. We work through all three at the consultation, with no obligation to proceed.
Book a Denture Consultation at Smiledent in North London
If you are considering acrylic dentures in or near North London, we offer denture consultations at Smiledent in North London with a full clinical assessment, 0% finance options, and a perfect 5-star patient review record. Book a consultation and we will walk you through partial and full options with no obligation.
Information Sources
NHS Dental Treatments Overview (NHS UK)
How Much NHS Dental Treatment Costs: Band Charges (NHS UK)
Dental Services Available on the NHS (NHS UK)
