Single Tooth Denture

Can I Get a Partial Denture for One Missing Tooth?

If you are only missing one tooth, you have options for filling the gap. For example, you can get a partial denture to replace it. 

Dentures are prosthetic teeth that will replace your missing natural teeth. Some people get dentures for many missing teeth, while others only need one or a few teeth replaced.

A single dental implant is the other main option for replacing a missing tooth. Dentures can be a long-term solution but are less permanent than dental implants.

Both options have advantages; which is suitable for you depends on your budget, preference, and oral health.¹

What are Single Tooth Dentures?

Single tooth dentures, or flippers, replace just one missing tooth. They are a type of partial denture.

Single tooth dentures are not durable, so you cannot chew with them. They serve as a temporary cosmetic tooth replacement (for example, while you’re waiting for an implant or bridge). 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Single Tooth Dentures

As with anything, there are pros and cons to using dentures to replace a single lost tooth. It’s important to talk with your dentist about the best option and regularly go in for checkups.  

Pros of Single Tooth Dentures

The advantages of single tooth dentures are aplenty. Here are a few reasons you may want to invest in single tooth dentures:

• Partial dentures are more affordable than full dentures (they only need to replace one or a few teeth instead of the full mouth)
• Partial dentures are more affordable than dental implants
• Because partial dentures can be removable, dental care is easier for some people
• A single tooth denture can blend in with the surrounding teeth when compared to full dentures 

Cons of Single Tooth Dentures

The disadvantages to single tooth dentures include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Dentures can cost upwards of thousands of dollars without dental insurance (find out whether or not your dental care provider will cover at least some of the cost)
• You need to maintain a regular dental health routine and clean your dentures like you would clean your surrounding natural teeth
• Unlike implants, partial dentures have to be supported by the surrounding teeth
• While single tooth dentures can fit in well with the surrounding teeth, they may not provide optimal aesthetics and cannot be used for chewing 
• While they are more affordable, single tooth dentures may not be as cost-effective in the long run (they are removable and not permanent)
• Single tooth dentures require healthy surrounding teeth to be an effective, long-term solution
• If you need to have more teeth removed, you may require a larger partial denture in the future

Single Tooth Implant vs. Single Tooth Denture

While they both fix the same problem, a single tooth implant and a single tooth denture are not the same. Unlike a denture, an implant is a permanent solution that is screwed into your jawbone.

The dentist will surgically implant a titanium post (artificial tooth root) into the jawbone, just below the gums. Then, the bone grows over it and stabilizes it in place. From there, the dentist will attach a prosthetic called an abutment.

A few months later, a porcelain crown (the replacement tooth) will be screwed or cemented onto the abutment.

Partial dentures are different because they hook onto remaining healthy teeth. They have a base that keeps the fake tooth in place and blends in with your gums. On the back are wings that provide an anchor to the adjacent teeth to stay in place.

Partial dentures are different because they hook onto remaining healthy teeth. They have a base that keeps the fake tooth in place and blends in with your gums. On the back are wings that provide an anchor to the adjacent teeth to stay in place.

How Much Does a Single Tooth Denture Cost?

Without insurance, a full set of dentures can cost upwards of $4,000.

While a single tooth denture will only be a fraction of that, other costs add up. For example, additional fees may include examinations (about $100), X-rays (about $150), and tooth removals (about $75 to $200).

The type of tooth replacement you choose also affects the cost. Dental implants tend to be more expensive than partial dentures. This is because they involve surgery and many more appointments than a partial denture. 

They are also fixed and permanent solutions, whereas partial dentures may be temporary and/or removable.

Does Insurance Cover Dentures?

Yes, some dental insurance plans cover dentures.

Contact your provider to see if your plan will cover your single tooth denture. Insurance can help to shave off some or all of the cost, making dentures much more affordable.

Summary

Single tooth dentures are a kind of partial denture. They are one of three main options for replacing a single missing tooth. Dental implants and bridges are other options.

Whether single tooth dentures are right for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, including the health of your remaining natural teeth. Talk with your dentist to determine the best treatment.