Broken Tooth Repair Cost: From Bonding to Crowns

Reviewed By Dr. Jody Bardash, DMD  

November 2025 • 6 min Read

Reviewed By Dr. Jody Bardash, DMD  

November 2025 • 6 min Read

If you’ve chipped or cracked a tooth, you’re likely dealing with two problems at once: physical discomfort and financial panic. You’re not just wondering “How bad is this?”, you’re wondering “How much will this cost me?”

This guide gives you clear, realistic price ranges, explains what affects the cost, and shows you how acting quickly can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Broken or Chipped Tooth?

Your exact cost depends on the type of break, which can only be confirmed by an X-ray. But the following are the standard price ranges most patients fall into.

Procedure	Typical Cost	When It's Needed
Tooth Bonding (Minor Chips & Small Cracks)	$100–$400 per tooth	Great for small cosmetic chips on front teeth. Fast, painless, and the most affordable fix.
Dental Veneers (Cosmetic Front-Tooth Repair)	$500–$2,500 per veneer	Used when front teeth require a flawless cosmetic finish. Insurance rarely covers veneers because they’re elective.
Dental Crowns (For Larger Breaks or Broken-Through Teeth)	$800–$2,500 per crown	Necessary when the structure of the tooth is compromised. Material choice (porcelain, zirconia, metal) affects cost significantly.
Root Canal + Crown (If the Nerve Is Affected)	Root canal: $700–$1,600; Crown: $800–$2,500	If bacteria reach the pulp, you’re looking at both procedures. This is the most common cost outcome when someone waited too long to fix a chip.
Extraction + Dental Implant (Severe or Untreated Breaks)	Extraction: $150–$400; Implant + crown: $3,000–$6,000+	This is the “worst-case scenario” and typically the result of extensive damage or delayed treatment.

Typical Cost	When It's Needed
Tooth Bonding (Minor Chips & Small Cracks)
$100–$400 per tooth	Great for small cosmetic chips on front teeth. Fast, painless, and the most affordable fix.
Dental Veneers (Cosmetic Front-Tooth Repair)
$500–$2,500 per veneer	Used when front teeth require a flawless cosmetic finish. Insurance rarely covers veneers because they’re elective.
Dental Crowns (For Larger Breaks or Broken-Through Teeth)
$800–$2,500 per crown	Necessary when the structure of the tooth is compromised. Material choice (porcelain, zirconia, metal) affects cost significantly.
Root Canal + Crown (If the Nerve Is Affected)
Root canal: $700–$1,600; Crown: $800–$2,500	If bacteria reach the pulp, you’re looking at both procedures. This is the most common cost outcome when someone waited too long to fix a chip.
Extraction + Dental Implant (Severe or Untreated Breaks)
Extraction: $150–$400; Implant + crown: $3,000–$6,000+	This is the “worst-case scenario” and typically the result of extensive damage or delayed treatment.

Front vs. Back Teeth: Why the Price Isn’t the Same

The location of the tooth dramatically affects the repair bill. Repairing a front tooth may cost more because you’re paying for art as well as function.

Front Teeth (Incisors & Canines)

Prioritizes appearance
Uses cosmetic materials like composite bonding or porcelain veneers
Price increases with the level of aesthetic detail required
More likely to use veneers if the chip is visible when smiling

Back Teeth (Premolars & Molars)

Must withstand high chewing force
Often requires stronger materials like zirconia or metal-based crowns
Less about beauty, more about durability
Stronger materials mean higher cost, especially for crowns or root canals

The “Cost of Waiting” Reality Check

Most people assume waiting saves money. It doesn’t. A $300 repair today can become a $3,000–$6,000 problem. This is the single biggest financial reason to call a dentist immediately.

Today:

Small chip: Bonded for around $300
Minor discomfort
Clean break above gumline

If You Wait:

Small chip, crack spreads: $1,500 crown
Bacteria reach pulp: $2,500-4,000 root canal and crown
Tooth fractures beyond repair: $4,000 implant

For help finding a dentist in your area, click here or call us at (888) 597-3896.

Will Insurance Cover This?

Most insurance plans cover:

Crowns
Root canals
Extractions
Part of bonding (depends on the plan)

Insurance rarely covers:

Veneers
Cosmetic-only repairs

If you’re uninsured, many offices offer:

Monthly payment plans
Financing (e.g., CareCredit)
Discounts for same-day treatment

How to Know What You Actually Need

Trying to diagnose yourself online often leads to unnecessary worry, or worse, delayed treatment. Only a dentist with an X-ray can confirm:

How deep the crack runs
Whether the nerve is exposed
Whether bonding is enough or a crown is required
Whether infection has already begun

When a Broken Tooth Is an Emergency

Even painless chips should be evaluated quickly to avoid the cost cascade. Call a dentist right away if you have:

Sharp pain when biting
Sensitivity to temperature
Swelling or gum tenderness
A piece of the tooth missing
Exposed dentin (yellow) or pulp (pink or red)

Your “Next Steps” Guide: From Panic to Repair

1. Don’t wait: Every day increases the chance of needing a more expensive procedure.

2. Find a dentist near you: Broken teeth require in-person care, not teledentistry. Dentistry.com connects you to local emergency dentists who can give same-day estimates and repairs.

3. Ask these cost questions upfront:

“Is bonding an option, or do I need a crown?”
“Can you break down the total cost, including X-rays?”
“Do you offer payment plans?”
“How much does this differ for front vs. back teeth

4. Bring your insurance card: Let the office check benefits for you.

Quick Cost Cheat Sheet (Screenshot This)

Bonding: $100–$400
Veneer: $500–$2,500
Crown: $800–$2,500
Root Canal + Crown: $1,500–$4,000
Implant: $3,000–$6,000+