Tooth Replacement Cost in 2023
Tooth replacement cost is a major factor in someone’s choice to have a tooth replaced. Losing a tooth prematurely is an unfortunate event. Thankfully your dental professional has several treatment options to help improve your smile.
This article covers the currently available options for tooth replacements as well as the average cost for tooth replacement.
Table of Contents
Factors that Influence Tooth Replacement Cost
There are several factors that account for tooth replacement costs. It’s always best to consult your dental team who will be able to support your specific needs. Here are some of the factors that may influence your tooth replacement cost.
- Area of the Missing Tooth: Some people choose not to replace a tooth because it doesn’t affect their quality of life.
- Bone Loss: If you have significant loss of bone, not all options are viable for your tooth replacement.
- Age of Patient: Tooth loss is very common among elderly patients and priorities may shift. It may not be worth undergoing treatment to replace a missing tooth.
- Insurance Factors: Insurance doesn’t always cover all treatment options and possibly only covers a portion of them.
Tooth Replacement Cost
The tooth replacement cost depends on what treatment you choose. Your dental professional will work with you to suggest the best option for your smile.
There are 4 very common treatments to replace a tooth that is discussed below. Each has its own set of pros and cons. Depending on your situation, you may not have a choice between all four treatment options.
We will discuss each of the options and go into detail about how much each option will cost. These treatment options do not factor in any dental insurance coverage and may vary depending on your needs.
Cost For Tooth Replacement: Implant
Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons. Implants can improve your bite, prevent future bone loss, maintain tooth function, and improve the aesthetics of your smile.
There are several steps are needed for a successful dental implant:
- Consultation: Some implants will need a specialist. At this appointment, additional scans and x-rays will possibly be needed.
- Pre-Treatment Surgeries: Bone grafts, sinus lifts, and bone smoothing (Alveoloplasty) are sometimes needed for implant success and can add 3-12 months to the treatment.
- Placement of Implant: Your dental professional will skillfully place the implant in a 1-2 hour appointment.
- Post-Implant Healing: The implant needs time to heal and bond to the surrounding bone (Osseointegrate). This usually takes between 3-6 months but sometimes more. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled accordingly.
- Abutment Placing: An abutment is where your permanent restoration will attach to the implant. This includes folding back the gum tissue.
- Restorative Crown Placing: A few weeks after the abutment is inserted, your crown can be placed. This is usually done by your general dentist, not the implant specialist.
Multiple steps, appointments, and doctors may be needed for optimal implant success. These factors impact the implant tooth replacement cost before insurance.
To start, the implant costs around $1,000-$3,000. The abutment costs between $300-$500. Finally, the crown costs between $1,000-$2,000.
Our Tooth Implant Guide has additional information.
Tooth Replacement Cost for a Bridge
Dental bridges are a common treatment as well. There are three main types of bridges that your dental professional will choose from to best suit your situation. Factors that impact the chosen bridge are the type used and the number of teeth involved.
- Traditional Fixed Bridge: This bridge uses the two healthy adjacent teeth to help support the restoration of the middle tooth that is lost. The adjacent teeth and the missing tooth will need a crown that is usually made out of porcelain fused to metal or ceramic material. The total cost can range from $2,000-$5,000.
- Maryland Bridge: A resin-bonded bridge is commonly used for missing anterior teeth. The pontic, the tooth that fills in the gap, will have metal or porcelain wings that attach to the adjacent teeth. Being a more conservative treatment, this cost can range between $1,500-$2,500.
- Cantilever Bridge: This type of bridge is similar to a traditional fixed bridge but is only supported on one side of the missing tooth. This is common for patients that want to replace a molar. The cost can be around $2,000-$5,000.
Tooth Replacement Cost with Dentures
Dentures are the least invasive and can be the most wallet-conscious tooth replacement cost option. Your dentist will take an impression or a 3D scan of your mouth and, with the help of a lab, fabricate a custom denture.
Dentures are made out of a combination of acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal materials. Dentures can also be made to be removable or fixed, depending on what the patient needs.
- Partial Dentures: These are used when a patient is only missing one or a few teeth in an arch. They will have clasps that anchor to the adjacent teeth. Depending on how big and the material used, the price range can be $500-$1,800.
- Full Dentures: This type of denture replaces the entire arch or row of the mouth. If used on the top, the denture will cover the palate or roof of the mouth. If used on the bottom, it will be horseshoe-shaped to have space for the tongue. The cost can range from $500-$1,500 depending on the needs of the patient.
It’s important to note that Fixed Dentures use implants to anchor the denture to the bone. This can add several thousand dollars to the cost for tooth replacement.
Getting Braces and the Associated Tooth Replacement Costs
Orthodontics is a common practice to address tooth loss. Our article Using Braces with Missing Teeth goes more in-depth on your orthodontic treatment options, so if you are considering braces, give it a read.
Some patients are born without permanent teeth. Other patients have tooth removal treatment planned as part of their braces process. Orthodontics price usually runs between $3,000-$8,000 and can be influenced by the following factors:
- What braces system fits your dental needs?
- How many dental professionals and specialists are needed?
- Insurance coverage
For more information, check out our Comprehensive Guide to How Much Braces Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is it to replace a tooth with a fake one?
The cost for tooth replacement depends on many factors, including which treatment option you choose and how severe your situation is. Generally speaking, you can expect to spend anywhere between $500 – $5,000.
What is the cheapest way to replace a lost tooth?
Generally speaking, the cheapest way to replace a tooth is by getting dentures. Although the overall cost for tooth replacement depends on your specific situation.
How much for a tooth replacement?
The costs for tooth replacement will depend on how many teeth you need replaced, the severity of your situation, and the treatment option that you choose. Generally speaking, you can expect to spend anywhere between $500 – $5000.
Take Home Smile Store
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i went for a routine dental cleaning and xrays, i was charged $380.00 from my dentist that i have used for about 5 years? isn’t that excessive?
Hi Nina,
That quote of $380.00 appears to be the average price. Since it has been that long, you are considered a new patient requiring a comprehensive appointment compared to a routine periodic appointment. Hope this helps.