Did you know that 130 million Americans cannot afford dental care? The figure comprises 22% children, 40% adults, and 70% senior citizens. And roughly $110 is the average annual dental care spending in the US.
With such whopping figures, it seems nearly impossible for an average salary class person to afford dental care. This leads to the frequently asked question, ‘how much does it cost to fix a chipped tooth or a broken tooth?’ You will get to know the exact cost for it below in detail; however, if you ask for a rough estimate, it can cost you anywhere between you $300 to $5000 to repair a chipped tooth. The prices can vary depending on the tooth location.
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2 Seconds Summary: Chipped or cracked teeth are worrisome. It may affect your oral health. If you have a minor chipped tooth, consult your dentist if dental bonding is the right treatment for you. You may need to go for root canals, fillings, veneers, or crowns for severe cases. |
What is considered a Chipped Tooth?
We first need to keep a few things clear. Like, what in dentistry is considered a chipped tooth because people often confuse it with a broken or cracked tooth.
A tooth with a small or large piece knocked off through an injury or accident with the root of the tooth intact is considered a chipped tooth. On the contrary, a crack on the tooth nearly starts from the gum line, damaging the enamel and extending to the entire root.
12 Causes of Chipped Teeth
Chipped teeth are more common due to injury. Even though dental enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it is breakable. There are a variety of reasons your teeth can be chipped. Here we have listed the most common ones.
- Misaligned or imbalance bite
- Injury to the face
- Dental cavities
- Poor dental hygiene
- Chewing hard objects
- Cheek or tongue piercing
- Metal amalgam fillings
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Age factor
- Weak tooth
- Thermal stresses
- Tooth decay
Apart from these, using your teeth to open hard packaging or performing other tasks can also damage your teeth leading to chipped teeth.
How much does it cost to fix a Chipped Tooth?
While most dental problems can be treated at home, chipped or cracked teeth can’t be. They are a more serious problem and need to be treated professionally. Here we have listed some treatment options for chipped teeth as well as their costs.
1. Dental Bonding or Filling
Dental bonding cost: $100 to $400 per tooth
Dental filling cost: $100 to $300 per tooth.
Dental bonding and filling are the least invasive procedures to fix a chipped tooth. Depending on the tooth's breakage and location, your dentist will recommend which procedure you should consider. For instance, if you have a back tooth chipped, you will more likely get a dental filling. For the front tooth, dentists recommend dental bonding.
2. Dental Cap or Crown
Dental Cap cost: $1000 to $1500 (depending on the material)
Dental crown cost: $500 to $3000 per tooth (depending on the material)
When a large part of the tooth is knocked off, dentists field the remaining tooth to level it and place a temporary cap or crown on it to protect and improve its appearance. The cost for each can vary widely depending on the type of crown you choose. Typically, metal crowns are more durable and permanent, while porcelain and resin crowns look seamless.
3. Cosmetic Contouring
Cosmetic Contouring: $75 to $125 per tooth
Cosmetic contouring is an aesthetic dentistry procedure that involves reshaping the tooth by removing a small portion of the enamel to restore the shape of the tooth. However, before beginning this procedure, the dentist performs a dental x-ray to examine if the tooth is strong enough to go through the procedure. In some cases, the dentist attaches the chipped part of the tooth and brings it back to its original shape.
4. Dental Veneers
Dental Veneers: $900 to $2500 per tooth
Dental veneers are typically used for front chipped teeth. It is a thin resin or porcelain material shell that covers the entire front part of the tooth, just like you put a false nail on. However, to place dental veneers, your dentist must file about 0.3 to 1.2 millimeters of dental enamel from its surface.
5. Root Canal Therapy
Root Canal: $620 to $1,100 per front tooth
If the damage is deep enough to expose the dental pulp, a root canal is necessary. The procedure involves cleaning the dead pulp and canal and sealing it to prevent further damage. Dental therapies related to pulp are usually performed by endodontists. The damaged tooth is then protected by a crown.
How much does it cost to fix a Chipped Front Tooth without Insurance?
Dental procedures are expensive. You must need dental insurance to pay for your therapies. However, dental insurance policies vary from procedure to procedure. Typically insurance covers basic dental procedures like dental bonding, which helps treat a chipped tooth.
While dental insurance covers some treatments, you still need to pay some part of the cost. Most coverage plans have a co-pay of $10 to $25 that you have to pay at the time of checkout.
How much does it cost to fix a Tiny Chipped Tooth?
Tiny repairs can be easily treated by dental bonding, costing you around $100 to $1000, and the total will vary depending on the work needed on your tooth. If you go for a filing, it will cost you between $90 to $500.
Is it OK to leave a Chipped Tooth?
If you ask a professional, they would strongly disagree with it. Leaving a chipped tooth means exposing them to bacterial infections. Also, another reason to get it fixed instantly is that you may subconsciously begin chewing from the other side of the mouth to keep the broken tooth’s use minimal. Hence, the other side of the mouth would overwork.
Conclusion
While there are several ways to fix a chipped or broken tooth, prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, we advise you all to wear a mouth guard while playing sports. Also, use scissors instead of your teeth to cut packaging etc., and avoid biting hard objects such as har kernels, candies, chips, or crackers.