4 Ways to Fix a Chipped Tooth: What Costs Can You Expect?

There are many issues that can cause dental patients to wind up with chipped teeth. They include biting down on excessively hard foods like nuts or ice, acute injuries from falls or car accidents, tooth grinding, and playing contact sports. No matter how the tooth got chipped, patients have four main options available when it comes to fixing the problem.

4 Ways to Fix a Chipped Tooth: What Costs Can You Expect?
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1. Dental Veneers

Applying dental veneers is a form of Cosmetic Dental Care designed to restore the appearance of a chipped or broken front tooth. It involves applying a thin shell of resin, porcelain, or composite material colored to match the hue of the patient's natural teeth.

Veneers must be custom-crafted in a dental lab to match the patient's other teeth. They can then be applied permanently to the affected tooth using specialized cement and should stay in place for years, or even decades, with proper care. They cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth. For other treatment options and issues, be sure to fix painful oral issues with this cosmetic dentist tucker.

2. Dental Fillings

Fillings are most commonly used to treat cavities, but cosmetic dentists can also use them to repair chipped teeth. When used to repair front teeth, dentists typically choose tooth-colored composite resins. When the chip is on a back tooth, any type of filling material will do, but most patients still prefer materials that match the color of their natural teeth.

Having a filling placed is quick and painless and usually does not require numbing agents like lidocaine. All the dentist has to do is etch the surface of the tooth using a special gel, then use a dental adhesive to apply the resin to the surface of the tooth. The resin can be shaped to match the natural tooth before the dentist hardens the material using UV light. When the procedure is completed, the chip will be all but invisible and the tooth will retain its normal functional capacities. Dental fillings are the most affordable option at around $100 to $500 per tooth.

3. Dental Crowns

Some chips lead to more substantial damage. When this is the case, a dental crown may be the best option. To place a crown, the dentist must file away part of the healthy tooth. He or she will then apply an adhesive and place a crown on the tooth to protect it, preserve its function, and restore a normal appearance. Placing a crown can cost anywhere from $250 to $2,000.

If the damage to the tooth was severe, the patient may need to undergo root canal therapy before the crown can be placed. Don't worry, though. Root canal therapy has gotten a bad rap, but removing the dead or dying pulp is actually a simple, straightforward procedure that should cause no pain at all when performed with local anesthetics. Expect the root canal therapy to cost between $500 and $1,000.

4. Replacing the Tooth

It's rare for chipped teeth to lead to substantial damage unless patients put off seeking care. Those who fail to see a dentist after their teeth get chipped may wind up with substantial decay, which can require removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. Implant placement is more invasive than other forms of cosmetic dental care and can cost $4,500 or more.

It's important for consumers with chipped teeth to see a dentist as soon as possible. This will allow them access to a maximum range of treatment options, helping to keep costs low and making it more likely that the tooth can be repaired using simple, non-invasive procedures.