Chipped and Cracked Teeth

Chip vs. Crack: What is the Difference?

Chipped Tooth

A piece of enamel has broken off. The tooth is shorter or has a rough edge. Usually painless unless the chip exposes dentin.

Cracked Tooth

A line extends through the tooth but no piece has come off. Often painful when biting down or releasing. Can be hard to diagnose without imaging.

Craze Lines

Tiny surface cracks in the enamel. Cosmetic only, usually no treatment needed.

Fractured Cusp

A pointed part of the chewing surface has broken. Often happens around an old filling. Usually repairable with a crown or larger filling.

Treatment Options

Cosmetic Reshaping

For tiny chips. The dentist polishes and smooths the edge. No anesthesia, no downtime, one visit.

Dental Bonding

Tooth-colored composite resin shaped to restore the chipped area. One visit. Great for small to medium chips on front teeth.

Composite Filling

For chips that affect the chewing surface or have exposed dentin. $160-$225 depending on size.

Dental Crown

For larger breaks, cracked teeth, or teeth with a fractured cusp. $500. Protects the remaining tooth structure from further damage.

Root Canal + Crown

If the crack has reached the nerve or the tooth is sensitive to temperature, a root canal followed by crown ($950 total) is usually needed.

Do Chipped Teeth Need Treatment?

Even small chips deserve an evaluation. Chipped enamel leaves the softer dentin exposed, increasing decay risk and wear. Cosmetically, most patients prefer to smooth or bond small chips. For function, larger chips always need repair.

Cracks Are More Urgent

A crack in a tooth can spread under normal chewing forces. Today's tiny crack can become tomorrow's vertical root fracture, which usually requires extraction. If you suspect a crack (pain when biting, sensitivity to cold, vague soreness), see us quickly.