Products
Teeth Straightening
Teeth Whitening
Updated on November 9, 2023
6 min read

How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Chipped Tooth?

NewMouth is reader supported. We may earn a commission if you purchase something using one of our links. Advertising Disclosure.

Chipped Tooth Repair Cost

Chipped, fractured, and broken teeth are very common. The cost to fix these issues depends on:

  1. The severity of the break
  2. Whether it's a front tooth or molar
  3. What type of dental procedure is needed to repair it
  4. The location of the dental clinic
  5. The dentist's fees
  6. Your insurance coverage

Here’s what you should expect to pay to repair a chipped tooth (without insurance):

ProcedureCost Per Tooth
Filling$150 to $1,000
Dental bond$100 to $550
Dental crown$500 to $1,500
Root canal$500 to $1,500
Dental onlay$1,000 to $2,500
Dental veneer$1,000 to $2,500
Dental implant$3,500 to $6,700

How Much is Covered by Insurance?

Dental insurance may cover some or all of the procedure costs. The most significant factor is whether your insurance plan considers the procedure necessary or cosmetic.

Veneers and implants are often deemed cosmetic or elective procedures. On the other hand, most other chipped tooth treatments are considered medically necessary.

Most insurances won't cover a chipped tooth repair if they deem it cosmetic. Contact your insurance provider if you have any questions about your coverage.

Did you know dental savings plans are an affordable insurance alternative? Learn everything you need to know about dental savings plans.

Save money by reading our short article to discover the benefits of dental savings plans. Read Now.

Chipped Tooth Treatment Options

Depending on the type and severity of the chipped tooth, your dentist will recommend one of the following treatment options:

amalgam filling NewMouth

Fillings

Fillings can treat minor chipping by closing the hole and restoring tooth functionality. They are made of white composite resin or silver amalgam.

Fillings are typically used for small chips in molars or less visible areas. They can cost between $150 to $1,000 per tooth without insurance.

dental bonding NewMouth

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding may be recommended if the chip is on a front tooth or a highly visible area. The tooth-colored bonding material (composite resin) is applied to the tooth and hardened using an LED light. It can cost between $100 to $550 per tooth without insurance.

stainless steel crown

Dental Crown

A dental crown will be applied if the fracture is large or affects multiple cusps on the tooth. It's a custom-fitted cap that covers the remaining natural tooth to protect and restore normal function.

It can be made of porcelain-fused-to-metal, metal or gold alloys, stainless steel, ceramic, or all-resin. Without insurance, this procedure can cost between $500 to $1,500 per tooth.

root canal procedure NewMouth

Root Canal Treatment

If the crack exposes the dentin or pulp of your tooth, it could become permanently damaged. In this case, a root canal will be needed to remove the dead pulp and replace it with a gutta-percha filling.

Crowns are often placed on top of teeth after root canal procedures. Root canal therapy without insurance can cost between $500 and $1,500 per tooth.

ceramic inlay and onlay

Dental Onlay

An onlay may be used when a cavity or chip is too big for a normal filling. They are custom-made in a lab to fit your tooth. Without insurance, this procedure can cost between $1,000 to $2,500 per tooth.

veneer NewMouth

Dental Veneers

A dental veneer may be recommended if the chip is small and only causes cosmetic problems. They are commonly used in cosmetic dentistry to fix the appearance of teeth.

Veneers are custom porcelain or zirconia shells that change your tooth's shape, size, and color. This procedure can cost between $1,000 to $2,500 per tooth if you don't have insurance.

dental implant NewMouth

Dental Implants

If your tooth is extracted, you must see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or periodontist for a dental implant. An implant is an artificial tooth root inserted and bonded to your jawbone.

It serves as the base for other dental procedures such as:

  • Dental crowns
  • Dental bridges
  • Dentures

This procedure, without insurance, can cost between $3,500 to $6,700 per tooth.

What to Do if You Chip a Tooth

Call your dentist immediately and schedule an office visit if you chip a tooth. Once you set up an appointment, there are a few things you can do to help relieve pain and prevent it from worsening:

  • Take pain medication: These include acetaminophen or your preferred over-the-counter pain reliever
  • Rinse with salt water: This will reduce inflammation and kill bacteria around the wound
  • Cover any sharp edges in paraffin wax or sugarless chewing gum: This can prevent cuts on your tongue, lip, and cheek
  • Only eat soft foods: You should also avoid biting down on the tooth; if you can schedule an emergency dental visit, avoid eating altogether until your appointment  

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Although it's not a dental emergency, it can be, depending on the severity of the broken tooth. A chip is considered a dental emergency if the tooth is:

  • Causing pain
  • Fully fractured (extending beyond the tooth enamel)
  • Completely knocked out

What Happens if I Don’t Fix a Chipped Tooth?

Neglecting a chipped tooth can lead to more damage and dental care costs. If the chip exposes the dentin or pulp of the tooth, an infection can occur.

You'll need a root canal or tooth extraction if your tooth becomes infected. If the fracture worsens and extends into the roots, you must remove the tooth and get an implant. 

These procedures are much more complicated and costly than fillings, bonding, and onlays. It’s best to seek treatment right away to minimize damage.

What Causes Chipped Teeth?

Even though tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in your body, tooth fractures are common injuries. The most common causes of cracked teeth are:

  • Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
  • Tooth decay
  • Chewing hard food
  • Injuries or trauma
  • Large fillings that weaken teeth over time
  • Age and naturally weakened teeth
  • Thermal stresses (eating something hot and rinsing with ice water)

5 Types of Tooth Fractures

There are 5 types of tooth fractures:

cracked tooth craze line

1. Craze Lines

Craze lines are tiny vertical cracks that appear on the tooth enamel. These cracks are very common and develop with age. They don't cause pain, are harmless, and don't require treatment. 

fractured cusp

2. Fractured Cusp

Fractured cusps often develop in teeth with deep cavities or large dental fillings. They are small chips that only affect the pointed chewing surface of a tooth.

These cracks don't reach the pulp, which is the part of the tooth that holds the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Fractured cusps may not require treatment.

They might also not cause symptoms or only slight discomfort. However, if they change how you chew or alter the appearance of your smile, a dentist will likely recommend restoring the tooth.

cracked molar

3. Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth typically cracks vertically. If the crack doesn't extend below the gum line, the damaged tooth can usually be saved with a crown before the crack causes further damage. These fractures usually cause tooth sensitivity and acute pain when biting down.

AdobeStock 322293857

4. Split Tooth

A split tooth is a much more serious type of tooth fracture. It occurs when a cracked tooth goes untreated and becomes a complete fracture. A severe injury can also split a tooth.

A split cracks the tooth from the sharp top edge all the way to the root(s). In most cases, your dentist will need to perform a tooth extraction.

They'll also recommend replacing the tooth with an implant. A root canal and dental crown can rarely save the remaining tooth structure.

AdobeStock 330750693

5. Vertical Root Fractures

Vertical root fractures begin at the root and travel upwards, completely splitting a tooth. Teeth with vertical root fractures need to be extracted.

What’s Next?

Discover how you and your family can save money on common dental procedures with a dental discount plan.

Or call DentalPlans to speak with a representative about which plan is right for you.

Summary

Repairing a chipped or broken tooth can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars without insurance. If you have dental insurance, it can cover some, if not all, of the cost.

However, your insurance will only cover medically necessary procedures. Your insurance won't cover cosmetic or elective procedures like veneers or implants.

There are different types of chipped teeth, and each requires certain procedures. Although it's not a dental emergency, it can be one, especially if the damage exposes the dentin.

Last updated on November 9, 2023
6 Sources Cited
Last updated on November 9, 2023
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
  1. Abulhamael et al. “Treatment Decision-making of Cracked Teeth: Survey of American Endodontists.” The journal of contemporary dental practice, 2019
  2. Cracked Teeth.” American Association of Endodontists, 2020
  3. Douglass, A.B., and Douglass, J.M. “Common Dental Emergencies.” American Family Physician, 2003
  4. Lubisich et al. “Cracked Teeth: a Review of the Literature.” Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry: Official Publication of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry ... [Et Al.], U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2010
  5. Mamoun, J.S., and Napoletano, D. "Cracked Tooth Diagnosis and Treatment: An Alternative Paradigm." 2015
  6. When Teeth Get Damaged.” Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, 2014
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram