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Tooth Replacement Lifetime Cost: Implant vs Bridge vs Denture

Enter your dentist's quotes for an implant, a bridge and a partial denture. See what each could cost over 10, 20 or 30 years once repairs and replacements are counted, as a range from published survival studies.

Example prices shown. Enter your dentist's quotes.
Missing teeth in a row
Where
Your age
Compare over (years)

Your dentist's quotes

$

Include the implant, the connector piece (abutment) and the crown.

$

For one missing tooth this is a 3-unit bridge: crowns on the two neighbors plus the false tooth between them.

$

Leave any quote blank to leave that option out.

Repair prices
$

Used when an implant crown has to be remade. If the implant itself is lost, the tool counts a whole new implant with crown.

$
years

A reline refits the denture's base when it gets loose. We found no study that sets a schedule for partial dentures, so relines only count if you enter both numbers from your dentist.

Dental insurance (optional)
%

Many PPO plans pay major work at 50% (ADA's typical design).

$

Each bill is capped at the annual maximum. Waiting periods, missing-tooth clauses and replacement limits can cut this further: check them in the Dental Insurance Calculator.

Lowest expected cost

20 years

–

Cost of each option over the chosen years

Beyond cost: how the options differ

Non-cost differences between an implant, a bridge and a partial denture
Implant + crownBridgePartial denture
Fixed or removableFixedFixed: you can't take it out (ACP)Removable: you take it out to clean it
Neighbor teethLeft aloneGround down for crowns on both sides (AAP, ACP)Clasps hold onto them. With clasp partials, studies reported decay rates of up to 32.7% and tooth-loss rates of up to 18.1% (Moldovan 2018)
Bone under the gapBetter preserved, because the implant replaces the root (AAP)Bone under the false tooth can shrink (AAP)Bone under the gap can shrink (ACP)
SurgeryYes, to place the implantNoNo
Time to finishSome people wait up to several months for the implant to heal before the tooth goes on; others get it in one visit (ADA)No surgery to heal fromNo surgery to heal from
Common problemsWithin 5 years: screw loosening 8.8%, gum problems 7.1%, bone loss over 2 mm 5.2% (Jung 2012)Abutment teeth: decay 18%, root canal needed 11%; bridge came loose 7% (Goodacre 2003)Metal frame broke in 10–20% by 5 years (Vermeulen 1996); needs "intensive maintenance" (Moldovan 2018)
Higher-risk if youSmoke: 6.35% of implants failed in smokers vs 3.18% in nonsmokers (Chrcanovic 2015). Have poorly controlled diabetes (ADA)Get cavities easily: decay and nerve problems in the abutment teeth are the most frequent bridge problems (Pjetursson 2007)Get cavities easily: decay in the teeth that hold the clasps is common (Moldovan 2018)

What your result means

For each option, the calculator adds what you pay now to the repairs and replacements you can expect over the years you chose. Nobody knows how long your own implant or bridge will last, so the result is a range. The low end assumes your restoration does as well as the better published figures. The high end uses the less favorable ones.

When the ranges overlap, the cheapest option is honestly uncertain. Then the differences in the "Beyond cost" table matter more than a few hundred dollars: whether healthy neighbor teeth get ground down, whether you mind something removable, and whether surgery is right for you.

How this tool works

Studies report how many restorations are still in place after a set time. The tool turns each figure into a steady yearly failure rate. Then it works out how many repairs or replacements you'd expect over 10, 20 or 30 years, and prices each one at your quotes.

What can happenLow estimate usesHigh estimate uses
Implant lost, needs a new implant and crown96.4% still in place at 10 years (Howe 2019)93.2% at 10 years, counting patients who dropped out of studies (Howe 2019). 91.5% if you're 65 or older
Implant crown remade, for any reason93.6% at 10 years82.8% at 10 years (the range around 89.4%, Jung 2012)
Bridge remade93.8% at 10 years81% at 10 years (the range around 89.1%, Tan 2004)
New partial denture50% still in use at 10 years (Vermeulen 1996)50% failing within 5 years (Moldovan 2016)

The math, step by step:

  1. Yearly rate = −ln(share still in place) ÷ years. If half of partial dentures last 10 years, the rate is about 6.9% a year.
  2. Expected replacements = yearly rate × years × number of teeth. At 6.9% a year, that's about 1.4 new dentures in 20 years.
  3. Cost = expected replacements × your price. A lost implant costs your full implant price. A remade crown costs your crown price. A bridge or denture costs its original quote again.
  4. Insurance (if you add it): the plan's percentage comes off each bill, capped at your annual maximum.

The "chance" lines on each card use the same rate: chance of at least one = 1 − e^(−rate × years).

Honest limits:

  • Most studies follow people for 5 to 10 years. For 20 and 30 years, the tool assumes the same yearly rate continues. Older restorations may fail faster.
  • If a bridge fails because a supporting tooth is lost, the fix can be bigger than a new bridge. The tool prices it as a new bridge.
  • Smaller repairs aren't priced. These include tightening a loose implant screw (8.8% within 5 years, Jung 2012), recementing a loose bridge (7%, Goodacre 2003) and root canals in bridge teeth (11% of supporting teeth, Goodacre 2003).
  • Partial denture relines only count if you enter a price and how often your dentist expects them. We found no study that sets a reline schedule. The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) advises a dental check every year.
  • Checkups and cleanings cost about the same whichever you choose, so they're left out. Amounts are in today's dollars, without inflation or interest.
  • Study figures are averages across many patients and dentists. Your own odds depend on things like smoking, gum health and daily cleaning.

Implant vs bridge vs partial denture: the trade-offs

Implant. A post placed in the jawbone replaces the root, and a crown goes on top. It leaves the neighbor teeth alone. Because it replaces the root, the bone is better preserved (American Academy of Periodontology). It needs surgery. Some people wait up to several months for the implant to heal before the tooth goes on, while others get it in one visit (ADA). In one review, implants failed about twice as often in smokers: 6.35% vs 3.18% (Chrcanovic 2015). The ADA says implants are generally safe and reliable with well-controlled diabetes, but less predictable when diabetes is poorly controlled.

Bridge. The teeth on both sides of the gap are shaped for crowns. Those crowns hold a false tooth between them (ACP). It's fixed in place and needs no surgery. The cost is to the neighbors: grinding them down can't be undone. Decay and nerve problems in those teeth are the most frequent bridge problems (Pjetursson 2007).

Removable partial denture. False teeth on a metal or plastic frame clip onto your remaining teeth. There's no surgery and no grinding of healthy teeth. It comes out for cleaning and needs more upkeep. With clasp partials, studies reported decay rates of up to 32.7% (Moldovan 2018). In one 10-year study, the metal frame broke in 10–20% of partials within 5 years (Vermeulen 1996).

The ACP notes that replacing a single tooth with an implant costs almost the same as a regular bridge. So for one tooth, the long-run answer often comes down to how long each lasts, which is what the calculator estimates.

What happens if you leave the gap?

Leaving a gap is a choice too, with its own costs. Remaining teeth may shift, and bone loss can occur around a missing tooth (ADA MouthHealthy). After an extraction, the jawbone shrinks fastest in the first 3–6 months. One review found it lost 29–63% of its width and 11–22% of its height within 6 months (Tan 2012). Less bone can make an implant harder later, so ask your dentist whether waiting changes your options.

Paying for it

Insurance often pays for implants, bridges and dentures as major care. The ADA's typical plan design pays major care at 50%, up to an annual maximum. Some plans exclude implants, and some won't pay to replace a tooth lost before the plan started (ADA MouthHealthy).

Questions to ask your dentist before you choose

  • What does each quote include: implant, connector (abutment), crown, bone graft, temporary tooth?
  • How many visits, and how long from start to finish?
  • Is there a warranty on the crown, bridge or denture? For how long?
  • What happens, and what will it cost, if the implant doesn't heal?
  • Am I a good candidate for an implant, given my bone, gums, health and smoking?
  • How often should my partial denture be checked or relined, and what does a reline cost?

Frequently asked questions

How long do dental implants last?
In a 2019 review of studies that followed implants for 10 years, 96.4% were still in place. Counting patients who dropped out of the studies, the estimate was 93.2% (Howe 2019). The crown on top needs work more often: 89.4% of implant crowns were still in place after 10 years in another review (Jung 2012).
How long does a dental bridge last?
A review of bridges followed for at least 5 years found that 89.1% were still in place at 10 years (Tan 2004). The most frequent problems were decay and nerve problems in the teeth that hold the bridge (Pjetursson 2007).
How often do partial dentures need replacing?
In a 10-year study, 75% of removable partial dentures were still in use after 5 years and 50% after 10 years (Vermeulen 1996). A later review found that 33–50% of metal-frame partials failed within 5 years (Moldovan 2016). The American College of Prosthodontists advises a yearly check, and a reline when the fit gets loose.
Is an implant cheaper than a bridge in the long run?
Sometimes. The American College of Prosthodontists says replacing one tooth with an implant costs almost the same as a regular bridge. Over 20 or 30 years the answer depends on your quotes and on how long each one lasts, so the calculator above shows a range instead of declaring a winner when the ranges overlap.
Does dental insurance cover implants?
It depends on the plan. ADA MouthHealthy notes that some plans exclude dental implants, and some won't pay to replace a tooth you lost before the plan started. Check your plan's exclusions, then try the Dental Insurance Calculator.
Does the jawbone shrink after losing a tooth?
Yes, fastest in the first 3–6 months. A review found the bone lost 29–63% of its width and 11–22% of its height within 6 months of an extraction (Tan 2012). Because an implant replaces the root, the bone is better preserved (American Academy of Periodontology).

Sources

  1. Howe MS, Keys W, Richards D. Journal of Dentistry 84:9–21. Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: A systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis. 2019. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  2. Jung RE, Zembic A, Pjetursson BE, Zwahlen M, Thoma DS. Clinical Oral Implants Research 23 Suppl 6:2–21. Systematic review of the survival rate and the incidence of biological, technical, and aesthetic complications of single crowns on implants reported in longitudinal studies with a mean follow-up of 5 years. 2012. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  3. Tan K, Pjetursson BE, Lang NP, Chan ES. Clinical Oral Implants Research 15(6):654–666. A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) after an observation period of at least 5 years. 2004. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  4. Pjetursson BE, Brägger U, Lang NP, Zwahlen M. Clinical Oral Implants Research 18 Suppl 3:97–113. Comparison of survival and complication rates of tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and implant-supported FDPs and single crowns (SCs). 2007. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  5. Goodacre CJ, Bernal G, Rungcharassaeng K, Kan JY. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 90(1):31–41. Clinical complications in fixed prosthodontics. 2003. Pooled averages from published studies, not survival analysis. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  6. Vermeulen AH, Keltjens HM, van't Hof MA, Kayser AF. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 76(3):267–272. Ten-year evaluation of removable partial dentures: survival rates based on retreatment, not wearing and replacement. 1996. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  7. Moldovan O, Rudolph H, Luthardt RG. Clinical Oral Investigations 20(7):1435–1447. Clinical performance of removable dental prostheses in the moderately reduced dentition: a systematic literature review. 2016. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  8. Moldovan O, Rudolph H, Luthardt RG. Clinical Oral Investigations 22(7):2439–2461. Biological complications of removable dental prostheses in the moderately reduced dentition: a systematic literature review. 2018. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  9. Tan WL, Wong TL, Wong MC, Lang NP. Clinical Oral Implants Research 23 Suppl 5:1–21. A systematic review of post-extractional alveolar hard and soft tissue dimensional changes in humans. 2012. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  10. Chrcanovic BR, Albrektsson T, Wennerberg A. Journal of Dentistry 43(5):487–498. Smoking and dental implants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2015. PubMed abstract checked. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  11. American College of Prosthodontists. Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implants. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  12. American College of Prosthodontists. Bridges. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  13. American College of Prosthodontists. Frequently Asked Questions about Dentures. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  14. American Academy of Periodontology. Single Tooth Dental Implants. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  15. American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Implants. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  16. American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Missing Teeth. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  17. American Dental Association (ADA Library). Diabetes. updated January 24, 2022. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  18. American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Choosing the Right Dental Plan for You. Accessed October 26, 2026.
  19. American Dental Association. Dental Benefits: An Introduction (Introduction to Dental Benefits). 2024. Typical PPO design pays major care at 50%. Accessed October 26, 2026.

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