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Missing Tooth Guide

Affordable Options for Missing Teeth: Costs Compared

Replacing a missing tooth doesn’t have to mean thousands of dollars. Here are your options from lowest to highest cost, and when each makes sense.

By the FixUrSmile Dental Lab team · Updated September 2026

Quick Comparison

OptionTypical costSurgery?Removable?
Custom partial from an online labAbout $245–$399 (FixUrSmile)NoYes
Flipper from a dentistAbout $300–$500 for one tooth*NoYes
Partial denture from a dentistAbout $300–$2,500*NoYes
Maryland bridgeAbout $1,500–$2,500*NoNo
Traditional bridgeAbout $2,000–$5,000*No, but reshapes nearby teethNo
Single dental implantAbout $3,000–$7,500*YesNo

*Ranges reported by Guardian Life, Guardian Life, Guardian Life (bridges), and Guardian Life (implants). Prices vary by provider and location.

Cheap options for missing teeth: custom flexible partial denture made in the FixUrSmile US dental lab

1. Flipper Tooth

A flipper is a small acrylic partial that replaces one or a few teeth. It’s one of the cheapest and fastest options, and common for a missing front tooth. It’s lighter-duty than other options, so it’s best for gentle chewing.

2. Partial Denture

A partial denture replaces several missing teeth in one arch and clips to your remaining teeth. Options include acrylic, flexible, and Nesbit designs. Ordering online from a lab usually costs less than a dental office.

3. Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge is a false tooth held by a metal or ceramic framework bonded to the backs of neighboring teeth. It’s fixed in place and needs less tooth reshaping than a traditional bridge, but it costs more than a removable partial.

4. Traditional Bridge

A traditional bridge uses crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap to hold a false tooth. It’s fixed and stable, but the neighboring teeth must be reshaped for the crowns.

5. Dental Implant

An implant replaces the tooth root with a post in the jawbone, topped with a crown. It’s the most tooth-like option but also the most expensive, and it requires surgery and healing time. Many people wear a temporary partial while an implant heals.

6. Doing Nothing (and Why It Costs Later)

Leaving a gap can let neighboring and opposing teeth drift or tip into the space over time, and it can make chewing harder on that side. Even an affordable removable partial helps hold the space.

How to Choose on a Budget

  • Tightest budget: custom acrylic partial or flipper.
  • Want no metal: flexible partial.
  • Single back tooth: Nesbit partial. See back-tooth options.
  • Want fixed and can budget more: talk to a dentist about bridges or implants.
If you have pain, infection, loose teeth, or gum disease, see a dentist before choosing any option.

Cheap Options for Missing Teeth: Frequently Asked Questions

Free tools: estimate your cost with our denture cost calculator, or find your tooth numbers on our interactive tooth chart.
What is the cheapest way to replace a missing tooth?

A removable acrylic partial or flipper is usually the least expensive. FixUrSmile custom acrylic partials start at $245 for 1–3 teeth.

Is a partial denture cheaper than an implant?

Yes, by a wide margin. Single implants typically cost about $3,000–$7,500, while partial dentures usually cost a few hundred dollars from an online lab.

Can I replace a missing front tooth cheaply?

Yes. A flipper or flexible partial is a common affordable option for a missing front tooth.

Do cheap options for missing teeth look natural?

A well-made custom partial blends in with your teeth. Flexible partials use gum-colored clasps instead of metal.

This guide is for general information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your dentist. If you have pain, swelling, loose teeth, or other oral health concerns, please see a dental professional.

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