What happens when you chip a tooth and what your dentist can do
A chipped tooth is a break in the hard outer layer of your tooth, usually caused by biting down on something hard, a fall, or an accident. The chip can be small (barely visible) or large (exposing the softer material underneath). Your dentist has several ways to repair it, depending on how big the chip is, where it is, and whether the damage goes below the gum line.
The most common repairs are bonding (filling the chip with tooth-colored resin), a crown (a cap that covers the whole tooth), or a veneer (a thin shell glued to the front). For very small chips, your dentist might just smooth the edge. For large chips that expose the nerve, you may need a root canal first. The longer you wait, the higher the risk that the chip will get worse or the tooth will become infected.
Key Takeaways
- Small chips are usually fixed with bonding, a same-day procedure that costs less than a crown but may need to be redone in five to ten years.
- Large chips or chips on the biting surface often need a crown, which takes two visits and lasts longer but costs more.
- If the chip exposes the nerve (you feel pain or sensitivity), you will need a root canal before any cosmetic repair.
- Chips below the gum line are harder to repair and may require gum work or extraction, so see a dentist as soon as possible.
Bonding: the fastest and cheapest repair for small chips
Bonding is a tooth-colored plastic resin that your dentist shapes and hardens with a special light. It works best for chips smaller than half the width of your tooth, chips on the front teeth where appearance matters, and chips that do not affect how you bite. The whole procedure takes 30 minutes to an hour and is usually done in one visit.
Your dentist will clean the chipped area, roughen the surface slightly so the resin sticks, explore the resin in layers, and then shape and polish it to match your other teeth. Bonding is less expensive than a crown because it requires less lab work and fewer visits. However, bonded resin is softer than your natural tooth and can chip, stain, or wear away over time. Most bonded repairs last five to ten years before they need to be redone.
Bonding is not a good choice if the chip is very large, if the chip is on a back tooth where you do a lot of chewing, or if you have a habit of grinding your teeth at night. In those cases, a crown is more durable.
Crowns: the long-lasting option for large or structural chips
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal that covers your entire tooth. It is the best choice for chips that are large, chips on back teeth, or chips that affect how your teeth come together when you bite. A crown can last 10 to 15 years or longer if you take care of it.
Getting a crown takes two visits. At the first visit, your dentist numbs the tooth, removes any decay, shapes the remaining tooth, and takes an impression or digital scan. That impression is sent to a lab, which makes your custom crown. Your dentist puts a temporary crown on your tooth to protect it while you wait. At the second visit (usually one to two weeks later), your dentist removes the temporary crown, checks the fit of the permanent one, and cements it in place.
Crowns cost more than bonding because they require lab work and two visits. However, they are much stronger and last longer, especially on teeth you use for chewing. If your tooth is severely damaged or if you have already had bonding on that tooth multiple times, your dentist may recommend a crown instead of trying to bond again.
Veneers: for cosmetic chips on front teeth
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or composite material glued to the front of your tooth. Veneers are mainly used for cosmetic reasons — to change the color, shape, or size of a tooth — but they can also cover a small chip on a front tooth. A veneer covers only the front surface, so it works best for chips that do not go all the way around the tooth.
Getting a veneer is similar to getting a crown: your dentist shapes the tooth, takes an impression, and sends it to a lab. You wear a temporary veneer while the permanent one is made, then return for a second visit to have it bonded on. Veneers last 7 to 15 years depending on the material and how well you care for them.
Veneers are more expensive than bonding but less expensive than a crown. They are a good choice if you want to fix the chip and improve the appearance of the tooth at the same time. However, if the chip is on a back tooth or if you grind your teeth, a crown is a better choice.
Root canals: when the chip exposes the nerve
If your chip is deep enough to expose the nerve inside your tooth, you will usually feel sharp pain or sensitivity to hot and cold. In this case, you need a root canal before your dentist can repair the chip cosmetically. A root canal removes the nerve and the tissue inside the tooth, then fills the space with a rubber-like material to seal it.
A root canal is done by your regular dentist or by a specialist called an endodontist. The procedure takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on how complex the tooth is. After the root canal is complete, your tooth is dead (no longer has feeling), but it can still function normally. Your dentist will then repair the chip with bonding, a crown, or a veneer, depending on how much of the tooth remains.
Root canals are more expensive than a straightforward chip repair, but they save your tooth from infection or extraction. If you ignore a deep chip and do not get a root canal, the tooth can become infected, which causes pain and swelling and may require extraction.
Chips below the gum line: why they are harder to fix
If your chip extends below the gum line (the edge of the gum tissue), the repair is more complicated. Your dentist may need to move the gum tissue aside to access the chip, or may need to remove some bone to expose enough of the tooth to repair it. This is called a crown lengthening procedure and requires a second appointment with a periodontist (a gum specialist).
Chips below the gum line are also at higher risk of decay because the area is harder to clean and is exposed to bacteria. If the chip is very deep or if the tooth is severely damaged, your dentist may recommend extraction instead of repair. See a dentist as soon as possible if you think your chip goes below the gum line, because waiting makes the problem worse.
What to do right now if you have chipped a tooth
If you just chipped your tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and check for any pieces of tooth in your mouth or on the ground. If you find a piece, put it in a small container of milk or saliva (spit) — your dentist may be able to reattach it if you get there quickly enough. Do not try to glue it back yourself.
If the chip is sharp, you can smooth it slightly with a nail file or sandpaper to keep it from cutting your mouth, but do not try to repair it yourself. If you are in pain, take over-the-counter pain relief and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Call your dentist and describe the chip — they can usually see you within a few days. If the chip is very large, if you are in severe pain, or if you cannot reach your regular dentist, go to an urgent care dentist or emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to repair a chipped tooth?
Bonding usually costs $100 to $400 per tooth. A crown costs $800 to $1,500 or more depending on the material. A veneer costs $500 to $1,200. A root canal costs $700 to $1,500. Prices vary by location, by dentist, and by how complex your tooth is. Ask your dentist for an estimate before treatment.
Will my dental insurance cover a chipped tooth repair?
Most dental insurance covers bonding and crowns if the chip is from an accident or injury, but not if it is from normal wear and tear or grinding. Veneers are usually considered cosmetic and are not covered. Check your insurance plan or call your insurance company to ask what is covered for your specific situation.
Can I repair a chipped tooth at home?
No. Over-the-counter tooth repair kits exist but do not work well and can make the problem worse. Only a dentist has the tools and materials to repair a chip properly. Trying to fix it yourself can lead to infection, more damage, or a worse cosmetic result.
How long does it take to repair a chipped tooth?
Bonding takes one visit and 30 minutes to an hour. A crown or veneer takes two visits over one to two weeks. A root canal takes one to two hours and is usually done before the cosmetic repair. Emergency repairs for pain or infection may be done the same day you call.
What should I avoid after my tooth is repaired?
Avoid chewing on hard foods, ice, or your fingernails for at least 24 hours after bonding. After a crown or veneer is placed, avoid very hard or sticky foods for the first week. If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist about a night guard to protect your repair.