A chipped tooth occurs when a small piece of the enamel, the tooth’s hard outer layer, breaks off. This injury can range from a minor cosmetic issue to a significant structural problem. The cost to repair it varies widely, depending almost entirely on the severity of the damage and the restorative method chosen by your dentist. Understanding the repair procedures and their associated costs is the first step toward restoring your smile and protecting your oral health.
What to Do Immediately After Chipping
If you discover a chipped tooth, the first action should be to rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water to clean the area and remove any debris. If there is any bleeding, you can apply gentle pressure with a clean piece of gauze until the bleeding stops. You should also apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek near the injury to help minimize any potential swelling.
If you locate the broken tooth fragment, save it and bring it to your dental appointment. Storing the fragment in milk or a saline solution can help preserve the tooth material. If the chipped edge is sharp or jagged, cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum to prevent it from cutting your cheek or tongue. Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the damaged tooth to prevent further structural damage.
Common Procedures for Repair
The appropriate repair method is determined by the size and depth of the chip, specifically whether the damage extends beyond the enamel into the underlying dentin or pulp. For very minor surface damage, a procedure called enamel contouring or smoothing is typically used. This involves lightly polishing and reshaping the tooth’s edge to eliminate the chip and restore a smooth contour.
When the chip is small to medium-sized and affects a visible area, dental bonding is often the preferred choice. This technique uses a tooth-colored composite resin material that is applied, molded, and hardened with a specialized light, filling in the missing portion of the tooth. If the chip is more extensive, especially on a front tooth where aesthetics are a major concern, a dental veneer may be recommended. A veneer is a thin, custom-made shell, usually porcelain, that covers the entire front surface of the tooth.
For severe chips, where a large section of the tooth is missing or the inner pulp containing the nerve is exposed, a dental crown is necessary to restore strength and protect the tooth from infection. A crown, or cap, covers the entire remaining structure of the tooth above the gum line. If the pulp is exposed, a root canal procedure may be required first to remove the compromised nerve tissue before the crown is placed.
Cost Ranges by Repair Type
The expense of fixing a chipped tooth is directly tied to the complexity of the treatment required. Dental contouring or smoothing is the most affordable option, generally costing between $50 and $500 per tooth. This is a quick, single-visit procedure involving minimal material usage, with the price varying based on the number of teeth requiring reshaping and the practice’s fee schedule.
Dental bonding, suitable for most small and medium chips, typically costs between $100 and $600 per tooth. The final price depends on the amount of composite resin needed and the time required to sculpt the material to match the natural tooth structure. Since it is a relatively simple procedure completed in one visit, bonding is often considered the most budget-friendly restorative option.
Veneers represent a significant increase in cost due to the materials and custom lab work involved. A single composite veneer may cost between $500 and $1,500. Durable, custom-fabricated porcelain veneers typically range from $925 to $2,895 per tooth, reflecting their superior aesthetics and durability.
Dental crowns are generally the most expensive repair option, typically costing between $800 and $3,500 per tooth. Cost variation is primarily dictated by the material used, such as porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) being on the lower end, and all-ceramic or zirconia crowns being more costly. If the damage necessitates a prior root canal treatment, an additional cost of $700 to $1,200 or more will be added to the overall expense.
Financial Considerations
Financial planning for a chipped tooth repair must account for costs beyond the procedure itself, including initial ancillary fees. Before any restorative work, you will likely incur charges for a comprehensive dental exam and necessary X-rays, which confirm the extent of damage to the tooth’s internal structure. These preliminary diagnostic fees can add to the total out-of-pocket expense.
Dental insurance coverage is a major factor, but it depends on whether the procedure is classified as restorative or purely cosmetic. Treatments deemed medically necessary to restore tooth function, such as crowns or bonding, are frequently covered by insurance at a percentage, often 50 to 80 percent, after a deductible is met. However, purely cosmetic procedures like veneers or contouring are usually not covered.
Review your specific dental plan details, including the annual maximum benefit, as coverage limits will affect your final payment. For non-covered costs, alternatives like a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allow you to use pre-tax dollars. Many dental offices also offer in-house payment plans or third-party financing options to help manage the investment for more expensive treatments.