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Chipped, fractured, and broken teeth are very common. The cost to fix these issues depends on:
Here’s what you should expect to pay to repair a chipped tooth (without insurance):
| Procedure | Cost 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 |
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.
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Depending on the type and severity of the chipped tooth, your dentist will recommend one of the following treatment options:
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
This procedure, without insurance, can cost between $3,500 to $6,700 per 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:
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:
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.
Even though tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in your body, tooth fractures are common injuries. The most common causes of cracked teeth are:
There are 5 types of tooth fractures:
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 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.
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.
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.
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?
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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.
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