A single tooth denture typically costs between $300 and $2,000, depending on the type you choose. The most affordable option is a temporary flipper at $300 to $500, while a durable cast metal partial runs $1,000 to $2,500. The total you pay depends on the material, your dentist’s fees, and whether you have insurance.
Cost by Type of Single Tooth Denture
There are three main types of removable dentures used to replace a single tooth, and the price gap between them is significant.
Acrylic flipper: $300 to $500 for a single tooth. This is a lightweight, temporary appliance made from acrylic resin. It clips onto your surrounding teeth and fills the gap cosmetically. Flippers are designed as short-term solutions and last about 6 months to 2 years on average. They’re the most common choice for people waiting on a more permanent restoration like an implant or bridge.
Flexible resin partial: $700 to $1,500. Made from a bendable nylon material, these fit more comfortably and look more natural than acrylic flippers. The base blends with your gum tissue, so the clasps that hold it in place are less visible. They’re a step up in durability and aesthetics but still not considered a lifelong solution.
Cast metal partial: $1,000 to $2,500. This is the most durable removable option. A metal framework sits behind your teeth with a tooth-colored replacement attached. Cast metal partials are thinner, stronger, and less likely to break than plastic alternatives. A well-made one can last 10 years or more with proper care, which often makes it the better value despite the higher upfront cost.
Why Quoted Prices Vary So Much
You’ll notice wide ranges even within the same type of denture. That’s because the base price for the appliance itself is only part of the total bill. Your dentist’s office charges for the initial exam, impressions or digital scans of your mouth, any adjustments after fitting, and sometimes a separate lab fee for fabrication. Some practices bundle everything into one quote, while others itemize each step.
Geography matters too. Prices in major metro areas tend to run higher than in smaller cities or rural areas. One national analysis found that flexible nylon partials ranged from $1,360 to $3,451 when all associated fees were included, and metal partials ranged from $1,728 to $4,203. Those numbers reflect the full cost of treatment, not just the appliance.
What Insurance Typically Covers
Most dental insurance plans classify dentures as a “major” procedure, which means lower reimbursement rates than you’d get for fillings or cleanings. A common structure is 50% coverage for major work, leaving you responsible for the other half. Many plans also impose a 12-month waiting period before denture benefits kick in, so if you just enrolled, you may not have coverage right away.
Annual maximums are the other catch. Most dental plans cap benefits at $1,000 to $2,000 per year. If you’ve already used some of that on other work, your remaining benefit may not cover much of the denture cost. It’s worth calling your insurance company directly to ask what your plan pays for a removable partial denture, since the answer varies widely between carriers and plan tiers.
Ongoing Costs to Expect
A single tooth denture isn’t a one-time expense. Your jawbone and gums change shape gradually over time, which means the denture that fits perfectly today will eventually feel loose. Most denture wearers need a reline every two to four years to restore the fit. A hard reline, which is the standard long-term option, costs $200 to $400. Soft relines fall in a similar range ($150 to $400) but don’t last as long and need replacing more frequently.
If you go with a cheaper acrylic flipper, factor in the possibility of breakage and replacement. A $300 flipper that cracks after eight months and needs to be remade can end up costing more over a few years than a single cast metal partial that lasts a decade.
How Dentures Compare to Implants and Bridges
A removable denture is the least expensive way to replace a single tooth, but it’s also the least permanent. If you’re weighing your options, here’s how they stack up.
A dental bridge typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 for a single tooth. It’s cemented permanently onto the teeth on either side of the gap, so you don’t remove it. The tradeoff is that those neighboring teeth need to be filed down to anchor the bridge, which permanently alters healthy tooth structure.
A single dental implant runs $3,000 to $5,000 or more, including the post, the connector piece, and the crown. It’s the closest thing to a natural tooth: it’s anchored directly into your jawbone, preserves bone density, and can last 20 years or longer. The upfront cost is the highest, but the long-term value is often better since you’re unlikely to need a replacement.
Many people start with a flipper as a temporary fix while saving for an implant or bridge. That’s a perfectly reasonable approach, and it’s one of the most common reasons dentists recommend flippers in the first place.
A Safety Note on Single Tooth Partials
Very small removable dentures that replace just one tooth, sometimes called Nesbit dentures, carry a specific risk worth knowing about. Because they’re small and unattached to a larger framework, they can be accidentally swallowed or inhaled during sleep or eating. The American College of Prosthodontists considers single-tooth Nesbit dentures “generally contraindicated” because of this aspiration risk. If your dentist recommends a single tooth partial, make sure it’s designed with enough structure (clasps, a palatal bar, or a framework connecting to other teeth) to prevent accidental dislodging.