Dental visits are famous for 2 things: flossing interrogations and big bills. So naturally, almost every patient is wary about the type of bill they might face, no matter the procedure— along with a hundred questions about their insurance coverage!
Patients with a chipped tooth often consider it an aesthetic procedure and hesitate to get it fixed. But a chipped tooth is more than just a cosmetic problem and should be properly evaluated by a dentist. But how much does it cost to fix a chipped tooth? What is the cheapest way to repair broken teeth? Let’s talk about it all.
What causes a chipped tooth?
A fractured or chipped tooth refers to a tooth that has been cracked and will sometimes cause pain or discomfort to the patient. According to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth make up for the majority of dental injuries in America.
But what causes the tooth to fracture in the first place? Usually, a chipped tooth will occur if you have cavities, large fillings, or any type of dental trauma such as a fall or an injury. Otherwise, your tooth might chip if you bite something too hard or grind your teeth subconsciously!
When the tooth becomes cracked, patients will often experience pain, especially when they chew, and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. In very rare cases, it might also cause an infection that will waste away the entire tooth.
Is it worth it to fix a chipped tooth?
Of course, a chipped tooth should always be considered a dental compromise instead of a cosmetic fault. Chipped or fractured teeth are open spaces for bacteria to seep in and compromise your entire tooth.
From the naked eye, it’s not possible for you to evaluate your dental health, and you definitely don’t want a bigger problem forming in the future! That’s why, it’s always worth it to fix your chipped teeth.
Options for fixing fractured teeth
Now before you can calculate the fractured tooth repair cost, it’s critical to know the options out there. Just like there are numerous ways to fix missing teeth, a ton of dental procedures focus on fixing a chipped tooth.
Some of the most commonly done procedures for fractured teeth include:
- Dental bonding — tooth-colored resin is applied to repair chips, cracks, or gaps in the teeth
- Veneers — Thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front surface of the teeth
- Dental crowns — Tooth-shaped covers placed over damaged teeth to restore the shape and appearance
- Dental implants — Surgical procedure that is anchored into the jawbone to repair the root of a missing tooth
How much will it cost to fix a broken tooth?
The age-old question of “how much does a chipped tooth cost to repair?” doesn’t have a plain answer. Many factors come into play when deciding your chipped tooth repair cost. For instance, some of these factors are:
- The type of procedure you will receive
- The extent of the damage to your tooth
- The position of your cracked tooth
Furthermore, the chipped tooth repair cost with insurance is drastically different than without. That said, here is a rough estimate of how much to fix a chipped tooth:
But that’s not all. You should keep at least $500 extra for additional costs such as getting an X-ray, anesthesia, specialist fees, or dental prep work!
Ways to save on fixing broken tooth cost
How much does it cost to fix a chipped tooth? You know that. But do you know you can save up on the chipped tooth repair cost? Well, you can!
If you’re worried about the costs adding up to a figure that’s out of your budget, here are some tips to help you out:
- Explore dental insurance options that cover chipped tooth repair. Double-check any restrictions or limitations in the fine print.
- Consider dental discount plans, especially during the holiday season. These plans offer reduced rates on most procedures for a small monthly fee!
- Practice preventative care such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups to avoid minor problems becoming major ones.
- Inquire about payment plans or any financing options from your dental clinic. Many offer flexible plans, but it isn’t general knowledge to most patients.
FAQs
The cost to fix a broken tooth without insurance varies widely. For minor issues like a small chip or crack, simple solutions like dental bonding may cost around $100 to $400 per tooth. However, for more severe damage requiring treatments like dental crowns or implants, costs can escalate significantly, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 or more per tooth.
When considering the cheapest way to repair broken teeth, dental bonding often emerges as the most economical option. This procedure involves applying a tooth-colored resin directly onto the damaged tooth, shaping it to match the natural contours, and then hardening it with a special light.
Typically, dental bonding costs between $100 to $400 per tooth, making it a budget-friendly solution for minor tooth damage.
While it’s a common misconception that a chipped tooth can heal on its own, the truth is that tooth enamel lacks the ability to regenerate. Although minor chips may not initially cause pain, they can worsen over time if left untreated. Seeking prompt dental care is crucial to prevent further damage and explore suitable treatment options like dental bonding or veneers.
The duration of chipped tooth repair depends on several factors, including the severity of the chip and the chosen treatment method. For instance, dental bonding typically takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth and can often be completed in a single dental visit.
However, more extensive procedures like dental crowns or veneers may require multiple appointments spread over several weeks to ensure proper fabrication and placement.
Final Thoughts
How much does it cost to fix a chipped tooth? That’s a question we hear a lot from our patients at Premier Dental. We understand that a chipped tooth is more than a cosmetic flaw; it’s an open passage to painful dental diseases and so, fixing it is a requirement!
But when it comes to managing expectations about the cost, the line can be blurry. In this blog, we’ve explored how much it costs to get a fractured tooth repaired at the dentist. If you’ve got a chip in your tooth, book a same-day appointment with Dental Premier and get the best care from board-certified specialists!
