Yes — the Canadian Dental Care Plan covers both complete and partial dentures when they are clinically necessary to replace missing teeth and restore your ability to eat and speak. Coverage applies based on your adjusted family net income, and the plan pays 40 to 80 percent of the eligible fee.
Dentures are one of the most common questions we hear from patients at our NW Calgary office who are navigating the CDCP for the first time — particularly from patients who have been putting off tooth replacement because of cost. The CDCP changes that calculation significantly for those who qualify. For a full picture of what the plan covers, visit What Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan Cover?.
What Types of Dentures Does the CDCP Cover?
The CDCP covers both main categories of dentures. At Northland Smiles, we offer both as part of our tooth replacement services:
- Complete dentures: A full set of upper or lower replacement teeth for patients who have lost all of their natural teeth in that arch. Complete dentures rest on the gums and are covered under the CDCP when tooth loss makes them clinically necessary.
- Partial dentures: A removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth when some natural teeth remain. Partial dentures are covered under the CDCP when they are the appropriate clinical solution for your tooth loss.
The CDCP does not cover implant-supported dentures. Dental implants are excluded from the plan entirely — the coverage applies to conventional removable dentures only.
| NOTE | Denture coverage under the CDCP is subject to clinical criteria. We assess the condition of your remaining teeth and gums, document the clinical need, and confirm eligibility before recommending treatment. You will always receive a written cost estimate before we proceed. |
How Much Does the CDCP Cover for Dentures?
Your coverage percentage depends on your adjusted family net income (AFNI):
- Under $70,000: 80% of the eligible fee covered — you pay 20%
- $70,000 to $79,999: 60% covered — you pay 40%
- $80,000 to $89,999: 40% covered — you pay 60%
Dentures represent a higher-fee service than fillings or cleanings, so they draw more significantly from your annual CDCP benefit. If you also need extractions before the denture is made — which is often the case — those will also count against your annual maximum. We review your remaining coverage at the treatment planning stage so you know exactly what to expect. For a full breakdown of how annual limits work, see our post on the CDCP annual maximum.
The CDCP pays based on its own fee schedule. If our office fee differs from the schedule rate, we will explain that clearly in your written estimate. For fee schedule information, visit the Government of Canada CDCP page.
What Does Getting Dentures Under the CDCP Look Like?
Getting dentures typically involves several appointments spread over a few weeks. Here is what the process looks like at Northland Smiles:
- Initial assessment: We examine your mouth, assess your gums and any remaining teeth, take x-rays where needed, and confirm CDCP eligibility. If teeth need to be extracted before the denture is made, we plan that at the same time.
- Impressions and measurements: We take precise impressions of your mouth and record bite measurements. These go to the lab where your denture is custom-fabricated.
- Try-in appointment: A trial version of the denture is placed so we can check fit, bite, and aesthetics before the final version is made.
- Final delivery and adjustment: The finished denture is delivered and adjusted for comfort. Most patients need a follow-up appointment or two in the first few weeks as they adjust to wearing it.
The full process from first appointment to final delivery typically takes three to six weeks depending on the complexity of your case and lab timelines.
What About Immediate Dentures?
An immediate denture is placed on the same day as your extractions so you are never without teeth during healing. The CDCP may cover immediate dentures when clinically appropriate. Because your gums change shape as they heal after extractions, immediate dentures typically require relining or replacement within the first year — and that follow-up treatment may also be eligible under the plan. Ask us about this when we plan your treatment.
What if I Want Implants Instead of Dentures?
Dental implants are not covered under the CDCP — the plan covers conventional removable dentures only. If you are interested in dental implants as a tooth replacement option, that cost would be outside the CDCP benefit. Many patients use their CDCP coverage for the denture first while they plan and save for implants over time. We can help you think through both paths at a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the CDCP cover implant-supported dentures?
No. Dental implants are excluded from the CDCP regardless of how they are used — including as anchors for implant-supported dentures. The plan covers conventional removable complete and partial dentures only. For more on what the plan does and does not cover, see What Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan Cover?.
My denture is broken or no longer fits well — does the CDCP cover a repair or replacement?
The CDCP covers denture repairs and relines when clinically necessary. It may also cover denture replacement after a minimum number of years has passed since the original denture was made. The eligibility criteria for replacement vary — bring your existing denture in and we will assess whether the CDCP covers repair, reline, or replacement for your situation.
I still have a few teeth — can I get a partial denture under the CDCP?
Yes. If you have missing teeth but still have some natural teeth remaining, a partial denture may be the right solution and it is covered under the CDCP when clinically indicated. In some cases, one or more teeth may need to be extracted first — we assess the full picture at your consultation and plan the treatment sequence with your CDCP coverage in mind.
Book a Denture Consultation at Northland Smiles
If you have been putting off dentures because of cost, the CDCP may make it much more affordable than you expect. Call us at (403) 286-5030 or request an appointment online. Let us know you are a CDCP patient and we will confirm your eligibility and put together a written cost estimate before we begin.
Learn more about CDCP coverage at our NW Calgary CDCP hub page.
