Cracked tooth repair cost depends on the type of crack: bonding runs about $220 to $420, a crown about $500 to $3,000 and a root canal around $1,000, according to CareCredit. A tooth that cannot be saved is extracted, which CareCredit lists at about $150 to $500 before any replacement such as an implant or bridge.
Those are planning figures, not a quote. The crack’s depth and location decide the treatment, and a root canal plus crown or an extraction and implant add up quickly. Only a dentist can tell which applies to you.
Last updated: October 25, 2026. Estimates vary by dentist, tooth and region.
Cracked Tooth Repair Cost by Treatment
| Treatment | Cost (CareCredit) | When It’s Used |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding | $220 – $420 | Small chips or shallow defects with enough healthy tooth left |
| Crown | $500 – $3,000 | Structural cracks that need protection |
| Root canal | About $1,000 | Crack reaches the pulp; a crown is usually added |
| Extraction | $150 – $500 | Split or non-restorable tooth |
Source: CareCredit cracked tooth costs, which notes that costs vary with insurance and location and which draws on 2023 data. Other pricing guides list wider ranges, and a root canal on a molar often costs more than one on a front tooth. When several procedures are needed the costs add up, and exams, X-rays, sedation and replacement teeth are usually billed separately.
Types of Cracks and Likely Treatment
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) describes five types of cracks. Treatment, and so cost, depends on which one you have.
| Crack Type | What It Is | Typical Treatment (AAE) |
|---|---|---|
| Craze lines | Tiny cracks in outer enamel; usually no pain | Often cosmetic only |
| Fractured cusp | A piece of the chewing surface breaks off | New filling or crown |
| Cracked tooth | Crack runs from the chewing surface toward the root | Root canal and crown if it reaches the pulp; extraction if it extends below the gum line |
| Split tooth | Tooth has separated into segments | Cannot be saved intact; partial saving is sometimes possible |
| Vertical root fracture | Crack starts in the root and moves up | Often extraction; surgery in some cases |
Source: AAE on cracked teeth. Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth does not heal on its own, but treatment can relieve pain and stop the crack from getting worse. Root canal treatment and a crown can save many cracked teeth, though success is not guaranteed.
Common Causes of Cracked Teeth
- Biting hard things: Ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels and pens.
- Grinding or clenching: Repeated pressure can fracture teeth over time.
- Injury: Falls, sports and accidents.
- Large fillings or earlier dental work: These can leave a tooth weaker.
Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
Some cracks cause no symptoms. Common signs include:
- Pain when you bite or when you release the bite.
- Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods.
- Pain that comes and goes, which makes the tooth hard to pinpoint.
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum near the tooth.
Several dental problems cause similar pain, so symptoms alone cannot confirm a crack.
How a Dentist Diagnoses a Cracked Tooth
A dentist will look at the tooth, ask when it hurts and may use a bite test, special lighting or dye and probing along the gum. X-rays can show related problems, but they may not show the crack itself.
Ask for the exam and imaging to be listed separately on your estimate, since they may be billed in addition to treatment.
Cracked Tooth Treatment Options
Bonding or a Filling
Suitable for small chips or a fractured cusp when enough healthy tooth remains. A deeper structural crack often needs more protection than bonding can give.
Root Canal
Needed when the crack has damaged or inflamed the pulp. The dentist removes the affected pulp, cleans and seals the canals, and usually places a crown afterward.
Crown
A crown covers the visible part of the tooth and holds it together. Cost depends on the material and whether the work is done in one visit or several.
Extraction and Replacement
If the tooth has split or the crack extends below the gum line, it may need to be removed. Replacement with an implant, bridge or partial denture is a separate treatment with separate costs, and an implant usually costs substantially more than the extraction. Ask for an itemized estimate.
What Affects Cracked Tooth Repair Cost?
- Crack severity: Superficial cracks cost little; pulp involvement or a split tooth costs much more.
- Tooth involved: Molars are usually more complex and costlier than front teeth.
- Material: Crown material changes the price.
- Specialist care: An endodontist or oral surgeon may charge more than a general dentist.
- Location and insurance: Fees vary by region and plan.
Insurance and Payment Options
Dental plans often treat fillings as basic care and crowns or root canals under different categories, and benefits differ by plan. Delta Dental notes that an annual maximum can cap what a plan pays in a benefit year. Before treatment, ask your plan about:
- Whether the procedure is covered and at what percentage.
- Your deductible and remaining annual maximum.
- Waiting periods and frequency limits.
- Whether your dentist is in network.
If you pay out of pocket, ask about payment plans or financing, and compare interest rates and fees. Dental schools and community health centers may also offer lower-cost care. For a cavity instead of a crack, see our guides to the cost to fix a cavity and cavity filling cost without insurance.
How to Prevent Cracked Teeth
- Do not chew ice, hard candy or pens, and do not use teeth as tools.
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports.
- Ask your dentist about a night guard if you grind or clench.
- Keep regular checkups so worn or damaged restorations are found early.
When to Seek Urgent Care
See a dentist promptly for a suspected crack, and sooner if you have severe pain, swelling or fever, which can signal infection. Get emergency medical care for facial or neck swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, as Mayo Clinic advises for a spreading dental infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Average Cost To Fix A Cracked Tooth?
There is no single average. CareCredit lists bonding at $220 to $420, a crown at $500 to $3,000, a root canal around $1,000 and extraction at $150 to $500. Your dentist’s diagnosis decides which applies.
Can A Cracked Tooth Heal By Itself?
No. The AAE says a cracked tooth does not heal like a broken bone. Treatment can stabilize it and relieve pain, but the crack does not close.
Does A Cracked Tooth Always Need A Crown?
No. Craze lines may need nothing and some fractured cusps can be restored with a filling. Many structural cracks do need a crown, and deeper cracks may also need a root canal or extraction.
Can An X-ray Show A Cracked Tooth?
Sometimes, but not always. The crack can be hard to see, so dentists combine X-rays with a bite test, close inspection, special lighting or dye.
Is A Cracked Tooth A Dental Emergency?
It should be checked promptly. Severe pain, swelling or fever make it more urgent, and facial swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing needs emergency care.
Bottom Line
Expect a few hundred dollars for bonding and up to a few thousand for a crown, root canal or extraction and replacement. See a dentist early, ask for an itemized estimate and check your insurance before treatment.
