Replacing a single missing tooth typically costs between $750 and $6,000, depending on the method you choose. The three main options are dental implants, bridges, and removable partial dentures, each with different price points, lifespans, and trade-offs. Your total bill also depends on whether you need preparatory work like extractions or bone grafts before the replacement itself.
Dental Implants: $3,000 to $6,000
A dental implant is the most expensive single-tooth replacement, but it’s also the most durable. The full cost for one implant, including the titanium post, the connector piece, and the crown on top, runs $3,000 to $6,000. That range reflects differences in geographic location, the dentist’s experience, and the materials used for the crown.
Implants have a 10-year survival rate of 94 to 98 percent, and the titanium post buried in your jawbone often lasts a lifetime. The visible crown on top may need replacing once every 10 to 15 years, but the foundation stays put. That longevity is a major reason people choose implants despite the higher upfront cost. Over 20 or 30 years, you may actually spend less than you would repeatedly replacing a bridge.
The catch is that not everyone qualifies right away. Implants require enough healthy jawbone to anchor the post. If you’ve had a tooth missing for a while, or if infection eroded bone around the old tooth, you may need a bone graft first, which adds to the timeline and the bill.
Dental Bridges: $1,500 to $5,000
A bridge fills the gap by anchoring a false tooth to the natural teeth on either side. A traditional bridge, which caps both neighboring teeth and suspends the replacement between them, costs $2,000 to $5,000. A Maryland bridge, which uses small metal or porcelain wings bonded to the backs of adjacent teeth instead of full caps, is less invasive and costs $1,500 to $2,500.
Bridges don’t require surgery, and the whole process usually takes two or three dental visits over a few weeks. The downside is durability. Bridges last 10 to 15 years on average, and many need complete replacement at the 8- to 12-year mark, especially if the supporting teeth develop decay or other problems underneath the caps. Their 10-year survival rate sits at 72 to 87 percent, noticeably lower than implants. A traditional bridge also requires filing down two healthy teeth to serve as anchors, which permanently alters them.
Removable Partial Dentures: $750 to $2,000
If you need the most affordable option, a removable partial denture or a temporary “flipper” tooth can fill the gap at a fraction of implant prices. A flipper, which is a lightweight acrylic piece you pop in and out, costs around $750. It’s designed as a short-term solution while you plan a more permanent replacement, though some people use them longer.
Permanent partial dentures are sturdier and come in a few material options. A resin-base partial runs about $1,500, a flexible nylon version about $1,700, and a metal-cast partial around $2,000. These clip onto your remaining teeth and are removed for cleaning at night. They won’t feel as natural as an implant or bridge, and they can shift slightly when you eat or talk, but they restore your smile without surgery and at the lowest cost.
Extra Procedures That Add to the Bill
The replacement itself is often only part of the total cost. If the damaged tooth is still in your mouth, you’ll need an extraction first. A simple extraction runs $75 to $200 per tooth. If the tooth is broken below the gumline or impacted, a surgical extraction costs $225 to $600 or more.
Bone grafting is the other common add-on, particularly for implants. When your jaw doesn’t have enough bone density to support a post, a graft builds it back up. Costs range widely by type: grafts using donor bone or synthetic materials run $550 to $1,575, while grafts using bone harvested from elsewhere in your own body cost $2,160 to $5,150. The graft itself needs several months to heal before the implant can be placed, so this extends your total treatment timeline to six months or longer.
For upper back teeth, there’s an additional possibility. If the implant site is close to your sinus cavity, a sinus lift may be needed to create room. This procedure costs $1,500 to $5,000 per side.
Crown Materials: Similar Prices, Different Strengths
Whether you’re getting an implant crown or a bridge, you’ll choose a material for the visible tooth. The two most common options are porcelain and zirconia, and both cost roughly $1,200 to $1,800 per crown. Zirconia is harder and more resistant to chipping, making it a popular choice for back teeth that handle heavy chewing. Porcelain can look slightly more natural for front teeth. The price difference between them is negligible, so the choice is more about location in your mouth and your dentist’s recommendation than budget.
What Dental Insurance Covers
Most dental insurance plans classify tooth replacements as “major procedures” and cover them at about 50 percent, with you paying the other half. Some carriers now include implants in this category, though they may limit coverage to one implant per year. Bridges, crowns, and dentures are more consistently covered at that 50 percent rate.
The real limitation is your plan’s annual maximum. About 65 percent of dental PPO plans cap the carrier’s yearly payout at $1,500 or more. That ceiling applies to all your dental work for the year, not just the replacement. So if your implant costs $5,000, even with 50 percent coverage, the plan may only pay out $1,500 total for the year, leaving you responsible for $3,500. For expensive procedures, some people split treatment across two calendar years to use two annual maximums.
Comparing Long-Term Value
The cheapest option upfront isn’t always the cheapest over time. An implant at $5,000 that lasts 25 years or more costs you roughly $200 per year of use. A bridge at $3,500 that needs full replacement every 10 years costs $350 per year, and the replacement bridge means additional dental visits, temporary discomfort, and potential further damage to the anchor teeth. A partial denture is the least expensive initially, but it may need relining or replacement every 5 to 8 years, and it doesn’t prevent the jawbone loss that gradually occurs when a tooth root is missing.
Your best option depends on your budget right now, the location of the missing tooth, your overall oral health, and how much jawbone you have to work with. For a front tooth that’s highly visible, most people prioritize appearance and stability. For a back molar, durability under chewing pressure matters more. If cost is the primary concern, a partial denture can keep you functional while you save for a more permanent solution.