Replacing a missing tooth: implant, bridge or denture compared by cost
How the main options for replacing missing teeth compare on cost structure, maintenance and what usually pays for them in India.
This table compares types of treatment for replacing missing teeth from a cost point of view. It does not rank clinics or brands and it does not say which option is clinically right for you; that depends on your gums, bone, neighbouring teeth and general health, and needs a registered dentist's assessment.
Read each row as a description of how the cost works: what you pay for upfront, what tends to recur, and who usually pays in India. Any rupee figures you see elsewhere on this site are illustrative examples.
Select a column header to sort.
| Option | How the cost is built | Usually suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single implant with crown | Implant fixture + abutment + crown + surgery and reviews; scans and grafts extra | One missing tooth with enough bone and healthy neighbours | Grafting or sinus lift added later; system and crown material swapped without a price change being explained |
| Tooth-supported bridge | Crowns on neighbouring teeth plus the false tooth, priced per unit | Neighbouring teeth that already need crowns | Healthy teeth are cut down; a failed support tooth can mean redoing the whole bridge |
| Removable partial denture | Acrylic or metal-framework denture, relines and adjustments | Several missing teeth, lower budget, or as a temporary option | Relines, repairs and replacement over the years; comfort and fit |
| Complete denture | Full upper or lower denture, with adjustments and relines | No natural teeth left in the arch | Loosening as the jaw changes; replacement every few years |
| Implant-supported overdenture | Two or more implants plus a denture that clips on, priced per arch | Loose lower dentures where more stability is wanted | Attachment parts wear and need replacing |
| Fixed full-arch on 4–6 implants | Several implants plus a fixed bridge per arch; temporary teeth often included | Most or all teeth missing in an arch | High total, final bridge stage priced separately, maintenance visits |
| Root canal and crown (keeping the tooth) | Root canal treatment plus a crown on the same tooth | A tooth that can still be saved | Retreatment if it fails; compare against extraction plus implant only with your dentist |
| Government dental service | CGHS wellness centre, ESIC dispensary or government dental college at government rates | Eligible beneficiaries; routine and some prosthetic work | Waiting lists; implants often not provided or not reimbursable |
Prices for each option vary widely by city, clinic and case. Ask for an itemised written estimate and compare like with like. Coverage under CGHS, ESIC, PM-JAY and health insurance depends on the current rules and your policy wording; check cghs.gov.in, esic.gov.in, pmjay.gov.in and your insurer. To check a dentist's registration, start from the National Dental Commission site and your State Dental Council. This comparison is cost information, not medical advice.