How Much Is It to Fix a Chipped Tooth? Price Guide & Options

A chipped tooth can ruin anyone's smile. And it happens so suddenly. A simple act of eating hard candy or maybe trying to chew that last kernel of unpopped popcorn, and suddenly the regret sinks in. Did I just chip my tooth? And there stands that horrid smile in the mirror.

Thankfully, modern dentistry offers several ways to fix chipped tooth edges . Most of which are quick, straightforward, and more affordable than people think. But, here’s the important question: What’s the chipped tooth repair cost?

Let’s find out the answer to this question.

Is a Chipped Tooth an Emergency?

You don’t need to rush to the dentist in a panic, but you also shouldn’t ignore it.

Chipped teeth can:

• A chipped tooth can quickly become more sensitive.
• It might scrape or cut your cheek or tongue.
• The small chip can spread and turn into a deeper crack.
• The tooth becomes weaker and easier to damage again.
• And if it worsens, it can eventually irritate or expose the nerve.

Waiting often turns a simple, inexpensive repair into something more time-consuming and costly. Early is always easier.

What to Do Immediately After Chipping a Tooth

Think of this as basic first aid for your mouth.

Rinse Your Mouth

Warm water helps clear away any debris.

Check for the Missing Fragment

If you find it and it’s clean and intact, bring it with you. Dentists can sometimes reattach it.

Avoid Chewing on That Side

Especially anything crunchy or very hot/cold.

Cover Sharp Edges

A bit of dental wax or sugar-free gum can keep it from scraping your tongue.

Make a Dentist Appointment

Even if it seems minor, only a dentist can confirm how deep the damage is.

That being said, remember that prevention is better than a cure. And how can you do that? Well, if you play sports, wear a quality mouthguard to prevent any accidental hits. And, if you grind your teeth at night, use a night guard that protects against bruxism.

What’s the Cost of Fixing a Chipped Tooth

Well, that depends upon the type of treatment you’re recommended. Here’s the breakdown:

Dental Bonding

Cost: $450 to $650 per tooth

Bonding is the classic fix for small or medium chips. The dentist shapes a tooth-coloured resin to rebuild the missing area.

Why do people like bonding:

• Fast
• Painless
• No drilling
• Blends perfectly

Ideal for small cosmetic chips or chips on front teeth.

Veneers

Cost:$1200 to $3,200 per tooth

If the chip is noticeable when you smile, or if you’ve chipped the same tooth more than once,a veneer may be recommended.

Veneers offer:

• A flawless appearance
• Long-lasting strength
• Better resistance to future chipping

They are popular for front teeth where aesthetics matter.

Dental Crowns

Cost: $1,600 to $3,000 per tooth

Crowns come into play when a significant portion of the tooth has broken off.

A crown restores:

• Strength
• Full chewing power
• Shape and appearance

Crowns are incredibly sturdy, making them ideal for molars or severe damage.

Root Canal + Crown

Cost: $1,800 to $3,000 total

If the chip or crack reaches the nerve, you may need a root canal first.

It removes the inflamed nerve and stops pain before the crown is placed.

This option repairs:

• Deep fractures
• Nerve exposure
• Pain and sensitivity

It’s more involved but prevents the need for extraction.

Dental Implant

Cost: $4,000–$7,000

This is only needed if the tooth is damaged beyond repair. Implants replace the entire tooth with a titanium root and porcelain crown. It’s the most expensive option, but also the longest lasting.

Why Does Chipped Tooth Repair Cost Vary So Much?

A few things influence the broken tooth repair cost:

• How big is the chip?
• Whether the nerve is affected
• Front vs. back tooth
• Materials used (composite, porcelain, ceramic)
• Dentist experience
• Location (city clinics often cost more)

Think of it like car repairs: a scratch costs less than fixing the bumper.

How Do Dentists Decide Which Treatment You Need?

It’s not just about the chip; dentists look at the whole situation. How big is the missing piece? Is the tooth in a high-pressure area when you chew? Will this chip eventually turn into a crack? Does it affect your smile? And how long do you want the repair to last?

Once they know all that, the options line up pretty neatly:

• Tiny chip? Bonding is enough.
• Chip in a front tooth that shows? Veneer.
• Larger break or weakened tooth? Crown.
• Pain or deep crack reaching the nerve? Root canal + crown.
• Tooth can’t be rescued? Implant.

It’s a logical process, and your dentist will walk you through each step.

How Long Does a Chipped Tooth Repair Last?

Here are some approximate timelines:

• Bonding: 3–10 years
• Veneers: 10–20 years
• Crowns: 10–15+ years
• Reattached fragment: varies
• Implants: 20+ years

Habits like grinding, chewing ice, or biting nails shorten lifespan.

Why Your Tooth Keeps Chipping

If the same tooth keeps chipping over and over, it’s not bad luck, there’s almost always an underlying cause.

• Grinding or clenching: Constant pressure weakens the edges of your teeth until tiny pieces start breaking off.
• Enamel erosion: Acidic foods, reflux, or even aggressive brushing can thin your enamel, leaving the tooth fragile.
• Old bonding wearing out: If the tooth was repaired before, the bonding may have aged or loosened, making it more prone to chipping again.
• Misalignment: When your bite is off, certain teeth take more force than they’re designed to handle.
• Small trauma you ignore: Even a minor bump or bite on something hard can start a fracture line that keeps getting worse.
• Hard food habits: Ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, they all add stress to already weak enamel.

The truth is, some teeth need more than a quick patch. If a tooth chips repeatedly, dentists often recommend strengthening it with a veneer or crown instead of doing bonding again and again.

Is Fixing a Chipped Tooth Really That Important?

Is it important to fix a chipped tooth? Pretty much, yeah. A chip might seem tiny, but your mouth knows something’s off right away. And chips rarely stay the same — they either spread, get sharper, or start bugging you. Dentists deal with this every day. Sometimes it’s a two-minute fix. Sometimes it’s a crown situation. There’s no way to tell without looking, which is why prices go from “oh, that’s fine” to “okay, wow.”

So if you keep poking at it with your tongue (which everyone does), take that as your sign to go in. A quick check is better than letting it turn into a bigger headache.