In short
- Complete dentures replace all teeth in a jaw; partial ones clip onto the teeth you still have.
- Partial dentures come in acrylic (plastic), flexible and cast metal-frame types, at very different prices.
- A few weeks to make and fit, then a few weeks or sometimes months to get used to.
- No surgery, and usually the lowest-cost way to replace many teeth.
- Fit changes as the gums shrink, so they need checks, relines and in time a new set.
Are dentures right for me?
Dentures suit people who have lost many or all of their teeth, or who want to fill gaps without surgery. They are usually the lowest-cost way to replace many teeth at once. Partial ones have clasps that hook around your remaining teeth to hold them steady (Cleveland Clinic).
Who they may not suit:
- People who cannot get used to a removable plate in the mouth. Implant-held options may suit them better (dental implants).
- People missing only one tooth with strong teeth on either side. A bridge or an implant may be a better fit.
- People with gum disease or decay in the teeth that will hold a partial denture. These are treated first (gum treatment).
Our tooth replacement guide compares dentures, bridges and implants side by side.
What happens, step by step
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Check-up and plan. The dentist examines your mouth. Any teeth that cannot be saved may need to come out first (tooth extraction).
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Moulds or a scan. The dentist takes a mould of your mouth with soft putty, or a digital scan (NHS).
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Making the denture. The denture is made to fit your mouth. This takes a few weeks (NHS).
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Fitting. The dentist fits the denture and checks your bite.
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Adjustments. Expect a few short visits to ease any spots that rub. Getting used to them takes weeks, sometimes months (Cleveland Clinic).
Complete dentures replace every tooth in the upper jaw, the lower jaw or both. They rest on the gums and need checks as the gums shrink over time (NHS). If a lower denture will not stay in place, ask about implants that hold a denture.
Partial dentures fill gaps and clip onto your own teeth with clasps (Cleveland Clinic). There are three common kinds in Kathmandu:
- Acrylic: a plastic plate. The lowest cost of the three.
- Flexible: made of a bendable nylon-type plastic.
- Cast: a thin metal frame with clasps, with the false teeth fixed to it. It costs the most of the three.
A dentist needs to look at your remaining teeth and gums to say which type suits you.
Immediate dentures are fitted on the day the teeth come out, so you are not left without teeth. The gums change shape a lot as they heal, so they may need adjusting or replacing up to about a year later (NHS). Plan for this in your budget.
What’s included, and what may cost extra
| Item | Often in the denture price? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up and plan | Sometimes | Ask when you book |
| X-rays | Often separate | Plain X-rays of remaining teeth |
| Moulds or scan, making and fitting | Yes | The main part of the price |
| Adjustment visits after fitting | Ask | Ask how many are included |
| Taking out teeth first | Separate | See tooth extraction |
| Fillings or gum treatment for teeth that hold a partial | Separate | Needed before a partial is made |
| Relines and repairs later | Separate | A reline is usually needed every 1 to 2 years |
How much dentures cost in Kathmandu
Published Kathmandu clinic prices for a complete set for both jaws ranged from NPR 30,000 to 60,000 in October 2026. Partial ones (October 2026 prices) were listed at about:
- Acrylic partial: NPR 3,000 to 5,000.
- Flexible partial: NPR 12,000 to 18,000.
- Cast metal-frame partial: NPR 35,000 to 45,000.
A government teaching hospital listed a complete set at NPR 8,800 to 13,200.
What changes the price:
- Complete or partial, and one jaw or both.
- The material (acrylic, flexible or cast metal frame).
- How many teeth the denture replaces.
- Whether teeth need to come out or be treated first.
- Immediate dentures that need a reline or new set after healing.
| Treatment | Our price (NPR) | Typical visits |
|---|---|---|
| Dentures (false teeth) | NPR 40,000 to 60,000 complete set, both jaws | 4 to 5 |
See all our prices on the price list.
Choosing dentures for a parent
Many sets of false teeth are chosen by a son or daughter for an older parent. Here is what helps:
- Come to the first visit together. Your parent hears the plan, and you hear the number of visits and the full cost. See your first visit.
- Plan for several visits. Fitting is spread over a few weeks, then adjustment visits. Someone may need to bring them each time.
- Budget for the full cost. The government health insurance scheme does not cover dentures, crowns or implants (WHO).
- Mention health problems. Tell the dentist about diabetes, which raises the risk of dry mouth, thrush and gum problems (NIDCR), and about any medicines.
- Ask about implants honestly. Implants work for many older people, though they last a little less often after age 65 (Howe et al., 2019). Surgery and cost may make a denture the kinder choice.
- If your parent is nervous, read help for nervous patients together.
Risks, recovery and aftercare
New dentures can rub and cause sore spots, and speaking may feel odd for a while. A denture that feels loose, pinches the gums, clicks when you talk, is damaged or is over 10 years old needs a dentist to check it (Cleveland Clinic).
Caring for dentures (NHS):
- Clean them with soft soap or washing-up liquid, not toothpaste.
- Clean them over a bowl of water or a folded towel, so they do not break if dropped.
- Rinse them after meals.
- Take them out at night and keep them in water or a soaking solution.
Get urgent care if
- Your denture breaks or becomes loose. See a dentist soon, or an emergency dentist.
- A mouth ulcer or sore spot lasts 2 weeks or more.
- A lump, swelling or red or white patch in the mouth gets bigger or does not go away.
Source: NHS dental emergencies.
Alternatives to dentures
| Option | How it works | Time | Upkeep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentures | Removable plate with false teeth | A few weeks | Take out to clean, out at night, relines | Many teeth missing, no surgery, lower cost |
| Bridge | False tooth fixed to crowns on the teeth either side | Usually 2 or more visits | Clean under it daily | One or a few gaps with strong neighbours |
| Implant | Post in the bone holds a crown, bridge or denture | About 3 to 6 months | Daily cleaning, 6-monthly check-ups | Enough bone, wants fixed teeth |
| Implant-held denture | A denture that snaps onto implants | Several months | Take out to clean | Loose lower denture |
Compare them on the tooth replacement page.
The dentists who do this treatment
Clean and safe
Moulds and false teeth go back and forth between the clinic and the lab, so cleaning matters. Read how we clean and sterilise instruments on our sterilisation and safety page.
Sources
- Dentures (false teeth), NHS (2025)
- Dentures: types, care and benefits, Cleveland Clinic (2023)
- Oral health country profile: Nepal, World Health Organization (2022)
- Finding an NHS dentist in an emergency, NHS (2025)
- Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival, Journal of Dentistry (Howe, Keys, Richards) (2019)
- Diabetes and oral health, NIDCR (US NIH) (2024)
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to know what is right for your teeth.
