False Teeth Cost

How Much Do False Teeth Cost?

	Dentures: $300-$4,000
	Dental Bridge: $1,000-$12,000+

Several options exist for replacing missing teeth, depending on the size and position of the gaps, the overall condition of the patient's mouth and the patient's budget.

Typical costs:

• Dentures are removable plates used to replace missing teeth. If only a few teeth are missing, removable partial dentures start at $300 -$500, average about $700 -$1,800, and can cost $2,000 -$4,000 for high-end materials like gold.

• If all of the patient's teeth are missing or need to be pulled, full dentures start at about $300 -$500 for a single plate or $600 -$1,000 for a set (upper and lower), typically made using basic materials and with a limited warranty. Mid-range dentures cost $500 -$1,500 per plate or $1,000 $3,000 for a set with a more customized fit and a 1- to 2-year warranty; and premium dentures with highest-quality materials and a 5- to 10+-year warranty can cost $2,000 -$4,000 for a single plate or $4,000 -$8,000 for a set. If dentures are considered medically necessary, insurance might pay 15%-50% of the costs up to the plan's annual limit.
• If there is still a nub of a tooth left and the root is good, another option is a dental crown (also called a cap), a tooth-shaped shell cemented onto a single tooth. It can cost $500-$1,500 or more per tooth for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns; $600-$2,500 or more per tooth for gold or other metal alloys; and $800-$3,000 or more per tooth for all-porcelain. Crowns are typically not covered by insurance if they are considered cosmetic, and many dental plans have a maximum annual limit of $1,000-$1,500.
• A permanently fixed replacement for one or more teeth is known as a dental bridge. A Maryland or resin-bonded bridge (with a false tooth and metal side wings that are bonded to the back of the adjacent/anchor teeth) can cost $1,000-$1,200 for one false tooth with two metal wings or $1,700-$3,500 with two false teeth. Traditional or cantilever bridges (held in place by dental crowns on the anchor teeth) can cost $1,500-$6,000 for a three-unit bridge (two crowns with one false tooth); a four-unit bridge (two crowns, two false teeth) can cost $2,000-$12,000 or more. Dental insurance might cover up to 50% of the costs, but bridges can be considered cosmetic and many plans have an annual limit of $1,000-$2,000.
• Dental implants (a titanium post is surgically inserted into the jawbone, and after the site heals a crown, bridge or denture is attached) start at about $1,000-$3,000, and costs go up depending on the type of replacement tooth or teeth, and whether additional procedures like extractions or a bone graft are needed. An implant topped by a crown can cost $1,500-$13,000 or more; two to six implants with a bridge can cost $3,500-$30,000 or more; and four to 12 implants with a set of denture plates can cost $7,000-$90,000. Insurance does not typically cover the cost of dental implants.
• For those who cannot have implants, crowns or other procedures done for health or financial reasons, there are two alternatives. Do-it-yourself, temporary cosmetic or costume teeth can cost $10-$80 per arch; these cover the front of the existing teeth (and any gaps between them) but are not a dental appliance and must be removed to eat or drink. Or, it can cost $1,000-$3,500 per arch for Snap-On Smile process, which creates custom-fit , removable cosmetic teeth that typically last three to five years.

What should be included:

• Replacing a lost tooth can help the patient avoid problems such as having the remaining teeth "drift" into the open space, getting food particles stuck in the open space or having opposing teeth grow too long because they're not hitting against anything.
• Some of these procedures (bridges, crowns and dentures) can be performed by any dentist, but a prosthodontist[1] specializes in all types of restorative procedures (and often charges at the higher end of the local price range).

• Depending on the type of work done, there may be additional charges for office visits, X-rays, anesthesia or other services; ask if everything is included in the quoted price or if there will be other expenses.
• If not all of the teeth have been removed, it can cost $75-$450 for a simple extraction (the tooth that is fully erupted from the gum), and $150-$650 or more per tooth for a surgical extraction.

• The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has tips for finding low-cost dental care[2] .
• Dental school clinics[3] offer reduced rates for services by supervised students or faculty.

• If the patient has dental insurance, the insurance company will provide a list of approved dentists. Or search for local members of the American College of Prosthodontists[4] , the American Dental Association[5] or the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry[6] . If extensive work is needed, it's best to get more than one opinion about which procedures would be best, and the estimated cost.