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Last updated: June 2026. Written and reviewed by the Dentists Closeby editorial team. Information sourced from NHS.uk, NHSBSA, NHS inform Scotland, GOV.WALES, the BSO Northern Ireland, nidirect, GOV.UK and peer-reviewed research. NHS dental charges confirmed from 1 April 2026.
TL;DR A broken denture repair is free on the NHS in England and Northern Ireland, whatever your usual charge status. Private repairs cost roughly £50 to £350 depending on the damage and how fast you need it. Never wear a broken denture or glue it yourself, and see a dentist promptly.
A broken denture is stressful, especially if you rely on it to eat, speak and smile with confidence. The reassuring news is that most dentures can be repaired quickly and affordably, and on the NHS the repair itself is free. This guide explains exactly what a denture repair costs in 2026, across NHS and private dentistry and all four UK nations, what you must never do while you wait, and how to get seen fast.
Nearly one in eight UK adults wears a denture, rising to almost half of people aged 75 and over [17]. Breakages are common, so knowing your options before one happens can save you money and worry.
Can the NHS Repair a Broken Denture for Free?
Yes. In England, repairing a broken denture is free of charge on the NHS, and this applies to every patient regardless of whether you normally pay for dental treatment [1]. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) states that when an existing part of a denture such as a clasp, tooth or flange is broken and then repaired or replaced, it counts as a repair of a denture and is free irrespective of charge-paying status [1].
This free status covers the repair work itself. The NHS.uk dental charges guidance confirms that false teeth (dentures) are repaired at no charge if they are repairable [2]. There is no time limit for claiming a repair after your denture was first made, so an older denture can still be repaired free on the NHS [1].
One important distinction shapes everything that follows: a repair is free, but a brand-new or fully replaced denture is not. Replacing a denture is treated differently from repairing one, and the cost depends on why it needs replacing. The next section explains both routes.
NHS Denture Repair and Replacement Charges Explained
NHS dentistry in England uses three charge bands, updated on 1 April 2026 [3]. A repair is free, but if your denture cannot be saved and needs replacing, the cost falls into one of two routes depending on how it was damaged.
| NHS dental work (England) | What you pay (from April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Repair of an existing denture (clasp, tooth, flange) | Free for all patients [1] |
| Minor denture adjustment | Band 1: £27.90 [3] |
| Adding a tooth to an existing denture | Band 1 or Band 2 (£27.90 to £76.60) [3] |
| New denture as part of NHS treatment | Band 3: £332.10 [3] |
| Replacing a lost, stolen or self-broken NHS denture | Regulation 11: £99.60 per appliance [4] |
A new denture provided as NHS treatment is a Band 3 item costing £332.10, which also covers any examination and other work needed in the same course of treatment [3]. To understand how the banding system works across all treatments, see our NHS dental charges guide.
The £99.60 figure is the lesser-known Regulation 11 charge. It applies when an NHS denture has been lost, stolen or broken by the patient and needs replacing like-for-like, and it is set at 30% of the Band 3 charge, or £199.20 for a pair of dentures [4]. Critically, no normal exemption applies to a Regulation 11 charge: even patients who usually receive free NHS dental care, such as pregnant patients or those on qualifying benefits, must pay it, with the single exception of prisoners [4].
Two further Regulation 11 rules matter in practice. The replacement can only be carried out at the practice where the denture was originally made and fitted [4]. If the denture failed through normal wear and tear rather than carelessness, it is replaced at the standard Band 3 charge instead, where the usual exemptions do apply [4]. You can also challenge the charge if you believe you were not at fault, and claim a refund using form FP17R11 if it causes financial hardship [4].
Denture Repair Costs Across the UK: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
NHS dental charges are devolved, so what you pay for denture work depends on which UK nation you live in. The free-repair rule that applies in England does not automatically apply everywhere, so it is worth checking your nation's position.
| Nation | How NHS charges work | Denture repair position | Maximum charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Three fixed bands | Free for all patients [1] | Band 3 £332.10 |
| Scotland | You pay 80% of the cost; check-ups free | Not classed as an emergency; free-repair status not confirmed [7][8] | £384 per course [7] |
| Wales | Care-package model (new contract April 2026) | Repairs sit in a £25 miscellaneous care package [9] | £384 per course [9] |
| Northern Ireland | You pay 80% of the cost | Repairs to dentures free for all patients [11] | £384 per course [12] |
In Northern Ireland the position mirrors England: the BSO confirms that repairs to dentures are free to all patients [11]. In Scotland, NHS patients who are not exempt pay 80% of treatment costs up to a £384 cap, and everyone under 26 receives free dental care [7]. Whether a denture repair is specifically free in Scotland is not stated by NHS inform, so Scottish patients should confirm the cost with their practice [7][8].
Wales replaced its banded system with a new NHS dental contract on 1 April 2026, under which paying patients contribute 50% of a care package's value up to a £384 cap [9]. Repairs and adjustments fall under a miscellaneous care package valued at £25, and around half of the Welsh population is exempt from charges altogether [9][10]. Because the Welsh system is new, patients in Wales should ask their practice what a repair will cost under the current contract [9].
Private Denture Repair Costs in the UK
If you cannot get an NHS appointment quickly, or you are not registered with an NHS dentist, private repair is widely available and often same-day. Private prices are not regulated and vary by practice, region and the complexity of the damage, with London and other major cities typically charging 20% to 40% more than the national average. The figures below are indicative market ranges drawn from published UK denture clinic and laboratory price lists [20][21], so always get a written quote first.
Standard repairs sent to a laboratory are the most affordable private route:
| Repair type | Indicative private cost |
|---|---|
| Single tooth replaced or rebonded | £40-£75 [20] |
| Cracked or fractured base | £60-£120 [20] |
| Denture broken cleanly in half | £80-£180 [20] |
| Complex fracture or multiple breaks | £150-£350 [21] |
| Metal clasp repair or replacement | £60-£100 [20] |
Same-day and emergency services cost more for the speed and convenience:
| Service | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Minor chairside repair (while you wait) | £80-£180 [21] |
| Same-day laboratory repair | £150-£250 [21] |
| Emergency or out-of-hours appointment fee | £95-£300 (repair charged on top) [21] |
Mail-in postal repair services are a budget option for simple acrylic breaks, typically charging £40 to £80 and returning the denture within a working day or two of receipt, though they generally cannot fix metal-based dentures [20]. For comparison, a brand-new private denture costs far more than any repair, which is why repairing is almost always the cheaper choice when the denture can be saved. Our dentures cost guide sets out new-denture prices in detail.
Repair, Reline or Replace: Which Do You Need?
Not every denture problem is a repair. Knowing the difference helps you ask for the right treatment and avoid paying for more than you need. There are three distinct services, and a dentist or clinical dental technician will advise which one applies to your denture.
| Option | What it fixes | Typical private cost |
|---|---|---|
| Repair | Physical damage: cracks, broken base, lost or chipped tooth, snapped clasp | £40-£350 [20][21] |
| Reline | A loose or uncomfortable fit as your gums and jaw change shape | £80-£200 per arch [20] |
| Replace | Dentures that are shattered, badly worn, or repeatedly breaking | £332.10 NHS Band 3, or higher privately [3] |
A repair restores a denture that is structurally sound but physically broken. A reline adds new material to the fitting surface to improve comfort and grip when natural bone loss has made the denture loose, something that tends to happen every few years. A replacement is needed when the denture has shattered, the acrylic is old and brittle, or repeated repairs have weakened it beyond saving. If you are weighing up a replacement, it can be a good moment to review all your options, including bridges and implants, in our guide to missing tooth replacement options.
What Types of Denture Damage Can Be Repaired?
Most common denture breakages can be repaired rather than replaced, provided the pieces are intact and fit back together cleanly. The repairability of a denture depends on the type and extent of the damage.
Repairable damage usually includes:
- A clean midline fracture, where the denture has snapped into two pieces that align precisely
- A hairline crack in the acrylic base, caught before it spreads
- A single chipped, cracked or detached false tooth, which can be colour-matched and rebonded
- A bent or snapped metal clasp on a partial denture, repaired by a laboratory
Damage that often means replacement includes a denture shattered into several fragments, a base that has become brittle with age, or a denture that keeps breaking because it no longer fits properly. A denture that breaks repeatedly is often a sign of a poor fit, and simply repairing it again will not solve the underlying problem [5]. In these cases your dentist may recommend a reline or a new denture instead.
Can You Wear a Broken Denture?
No. You should stop wearing a broken denture and see a dentist, even though it can be tempting to carry on, because a damaged denture poses real risks to your mouth and your safety. The NHS advises seeing your dentist if dentures are worn or damaged [5].
The most serious risk is choking on or inhaling a fragment. A 10-year clinical review of 85 patients who swallowed or inhaled dentures or denture fragments found adverse outcomes in around 38% of cases, including airway and bowel complications, with two deaths recorded [18]. Sharp or jagged edges from a broken denture can also cut or ulcerate the gums, cheeks and tongue, and continuing to wear a cracked denture makes a complete fracture more likely while it is in your mouth.
Wearing an ill-fitting broken denture can also distort the shape of your gum ridge over time, which can make a future denture harder to fit well. For all these reasons, the safest course is to remove the denture, keep all the pieces, and arrange a professional repair rather than struggling on with it.
Why You Should Never Use Superglue on a Denture
Reaching for household superglue is one of the most common and most damaging mistakes people make with a broken denture. It does not work, and it can be harmful. Superglue (cyanoacrylate) does not bond properly with the acrylic and metal that dentures are made from, and any join it does make tends to dissolve on contact with saliva.
Beyond simply failing, superglue can ruin the denture for good. It can distort and contaminate the broken surfaces so that a dental technician can no longer realign them accurately, turning a cheap repair into a full replacement. Household glues are also not safe for use in the mouth: their packaging warns against oral contact, the curing reaction can release heat and irritant by-products that burn soft tissue, and swallowing uncured adhesive can cause nausea and throat irritation. A 2023 clinical case report documented the complications caused by a superglued denture [19].
If you are genuinely stuck away from a dentist for a day or two, a pharmacy denture repair kit using dental-grade materials is a safer stopgap than household glue, but it is still only temporary [5]. Tell your dental team you have used one, and book a professional repair as soon as you can.
How to Get a Broken Denture Repaired Urgently on the NHS
A broken denture counts as a reason to seek an urgent NHS dental appointment. NHS.uk advises that you can visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 to ask for an urgent or emergency appointment if you have a broken or loose denture, crown, bridge, filling or veneer [6]. NHS 111 can give self-care advice, direct you to an urgent dental access centre, or arrange an out-of-hours appointment where needed [6].
A broken denture on its own is usually urgent rather than a true emergency, which means it can normally be dealt with in working hours rather than overnight [8]. NHS inform Scotland states plainly that breaking your dentures is not a dental emergency and can be handled during normal working hours [8]. You should still seek same-day help if a sharp fragment cannot be safely removed, if there is bleeding that will not stop, or if you think you may have swallowed a piece, and you should go to A&E or call 999 if a swallowed fragment causes any difficulty breathing.
Where the repair is done on the NHS, the repair itself remains free, but if you need an examination as part of an urgent visit, the Band 1 urgent charge of £27.90 may apply to that examination element in England [3][6]. If you do not have a regular dentist, our guide on finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients explains your options, and our emergency dentist guide covers urgent care in more detail.
Who Qualifies for Free NHS Dental Treatment?
While denture repairs are free for everyone in England, any chargeable work such as a replacement denture is free for patients who qualify for NHS dental exemptions. You receive free NHS dental treatment in England if you are [13][14]:
- Under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
- Pregnant, or have had a baby in the previous 12 months
- Receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit within the qualifying earnings thresholds [15]
If you are on a low income but do not receive a qualifying benefit, the NHS Low Income Scheme can still help: an HC2 certificate gives full help with dental charges and an HC3 gives partial help [16]. You can apply through the scheme and use its online checker to see whether you are eligible [16]. For a fuller breakdown of who pays and who does not, see our free NHS dental treatment eligibility guide.
Remember the single important exception: the Regulation 11 charge for replacing a lost or self-broken NHS denture is payable even by patients who are otherwise exempt, with prisoners the only group excused [4]. Standard exemptions do, however, apply to a replacement needed because of normal wear and tear [4].
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to repair a broken denture in the UK?
On the NHS in England and Northern Ireland, denture repair is free for all patients, regardless of your usual charge status. Privately, a simple repair such as a crack or single tooth typically costs £50 to £150, while complex or same-day emergency repairs range from £150 to £350 depending on the practice and location [1][20][21].
Will the NHS replace my dentures for free?
A repair is free, but a replacement is not always. A new NHS denture is a Band 3 charge of £332.10 in England, unless you are exempt. If you lost or broke the denture yourself, a Regulation 11 replacement costs £99.60 per appliance, and that charge applies even if you normally receive free NHS treatment [3][4].
Can I glue my denture back together at home?
No. Household superglue does not bond with denture acrylic, dissolves in saliva, and can permanently distort the pieces so a professional repair becomes impossible. It is also unsafe in the mouth and can cause burns or irritation. Use a pharmacy denture repair kit only as a short-term measure, then see a dentist [5][19].
How long does a denture repair take?
A simple chairside repair, such as a small crack or a single tooth, can often be done while you wait in one to two hours. A standard laboratory repair usually takes 24 to 48 hours, and complex repairs up to a week. A full replacement denture takes longer, typically four to eight weeks for impressions, try-in and fitting [21].
Can a cracked denture be repaired?
Usually yes. A clean crack, or a denture snapped into two pieces that align precisely, can normally be repaired, as can a chipped tooth or broken clasp. A denture shattered into several fragments, or one that is old and brittle, often cannot be saved and may need replacing. A dentist or dental technician must assess it [5].
Is a broken denture a dental emergency?
A broken denture is usually urgent rather than a true emergency, so it can normally be dealt with in working hours. Contact your dentist or call NHS 111 to arrange an appointment. Seek same-day help if you have bleeding that will not stop, and go to A&E if you swallow a fragment and have trouble breathing [6][8].
Can you wear a denture while it is being repaired?
No. You should not wear a broken denture, because sharp edges can injure your mouth and fragments can be swallowed or inhaled. If a repair takes more than a day, ask your dentist about a temporary denture or a same-day repair service. Keep all the broken pieces and bring them to your appointment [5][18].
Does the NHS repair partial dentures and metal clasps?
Yes. NHS denture repairs in England cover partial dentures, including repairs to broken or bent metal clasps, and they are free for all patients [1]. Note that postal or mail-in private repair services often cannot fix metal-based dentures or clasps, so for those a dentist or dental laboratory visit is usually needed [20].
Conclusion
A broken denture is rarely the disaster it first feels like. In England and Northern Ireland the NHS repairs dentures free of charge for everyone, private repairs are usually affordable and often same-day, and most common breakages can be fixed rather than replaced. The two golden rules while you wait are simple: do not wear the broken denture, and never try to glue it yourself.
If your denture has broken, keep the pieces, stop wearing it, and get it seen promptly. Search for a dentist near you on Dentists Closeby to compare practices offering NHS and private denture repairs in your area.
Sources
- What can I claim for repairing a denture? (KA-01763) -- NHSBSA (accessed 2026-06-02)
- What is included in each NHS dental band charge? -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 13 March 2025, charges effective 1 April 2026 (accessed 2026-06-02)
- What are the current costs of NHS treatment in England? (KA-03997) -- NHSBSA, charges from 1 April 2026 (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Replacement dental appliances -- NHSBSA (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Dentures -- NHS.uk (accessed 2026-06-02)
- How to find an urgent NHS dental appointment -- NHS.uk (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland -- NHS inform, updated November 2025 (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Dental emergencies -- NHS inform (Scotland) (accessed 2026-06-02)
- NHS dental charges and exemptions -- GOV.WALES, contract from 1 April 2026 (accessed 2026-06-02)
- New contract will improve access to NHS dentistry -- GOV.WALES, February 2026 (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Dental Charges and Fees -- BSO Northern Ireland (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Dental costs -- nidirect (Northern Ireland) (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Who is entitled to free NHS dental treatment in England? -- NHS.uk (accessed 2026-06-02)
- What entitles me to free NHS dental treatment? (KA-25776) -- NHSBSA (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Help with health costs for people getting Universal Credit -- NHS.uk (accessed 2026-06-02)
- NHS Low Income Scheme -- NHSBSA (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Adult Oral Health Survey 2023: Clinical oral health -- GOV.UK (accessed 2026-06-02)
- A 10-Year Review of the Complications Caused by Ingested and Aspirated Dentures -- Ear, Nose and Throat Journal, 2021 (PMID 32293908) (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Superglued denture -- PubMed case report, 2023 (PMID 37891290) (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Denture repairs price list -- Speedy Dentures, indicative private pricing (accessed 2026-06-02)
- Broken denture repair costs -- Urgent Care Dental UK, indicative private pricing (accessed 2026-06-02)
