Cracked Tooth? Know Your Three Options For Fixing It
Posted on: 24 June 2015
When you accidentally crack a tooth, your first instinct will be to head to the dentist to get it fixed. You may not be thinking of what method should be used to actually fix the tooth. There are three different options for dealing with a cracked tooth, and by understanding the differences, you can decide on which one is best for you.
Tooth Extractions
Dental procedures can be expensive, and it's a possibility that you do not have the cash to fix your tooth in an ideal way. If money is tight, you can always have the tooth completely extracted. Expect to pay around $174 for a basic tooth extraction.
This is not an ideal option if you have a front tooth that is cracked, but may be viable if it is a rear molar. Nobody will be able to see the gap, and your smile will still look great.
Dental Crowns
Getting a dental crown will preserve as much of your chipped tooth as possible. The part of the tooth that remains will be filed down, and a crown attached on top of it. A crown is designed to feel and look like a natural tooth, so nobody will be able to tell that you have one. A dental crown will be more expensive than getting the tooth extracted, falling between the $600-$2,000 price range.
The problem with dental crowns is that they will not last forever. Expect your dental crown to last between 5-10 years on the low side, and 20-30 years on the high side. It's typical for dental insurance providers to pay for crown replacement after 5 years though.
Dental Implants
When you are unable to save enough of the tooth to attach a crown, a dental implant is your best option. It will require extracting the cracked tooth, and putting a dental implant in its place. An implant can potentially last your entire life if you take good care of it over the years.
When you factor the implant, abutment, and crown, an implant will have an average cost of $4,250. The total cost can increase when you factor in x-rays, the bone graft, and tooth extraction costs.
You do not need to live with your cracked tooth forever. Now that you know of three options for fixing a cracked tooth, you can pick the method that is best for your smile and budget. Contact a local dentist, such as one from Milan Simanek, D.D.S. & Associates, for further information.
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