What to Do if You Break a Tooth in Overland Park

by Dr. Andrew Mancin

| 6 min read

6 min read

Have a broken tooth emergency in Overland Park? Please don’t panic, Dr. Mancin can fix anything.

A damaged tooth needs immediate attention, however, to prevent further damage. Learn more below.

Whether you have a chipped tooth, cracked tooth, or severe toothache, knowing what steps to take could save your tooth and stop the pain.

Breaking a tooth is one of the most common dental emergencies in the Kansas City area.

When this dental emergency happens, you’ll need care and the right dental services quickly.

Below are the steps you can take until it’s time for your urgent appointment.

If you need a 5-Star dentist, Dr. Andrew Mancin at Overland Park Implant Dental provides emergency dental care with same-day appointments for urgent dental care needs.

What to Do Right After Breaking Your Tooth

1. Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Water

First, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the affected area. This helps remove any debris and gives you a clear view of the damage. If you see pieces of your tooth, save them in a clean container with some saltwater or milk.

2. Stop Any Bleeding

Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze around the damaged area to stop bleeding. Gently biting on the gauze can help keep it in place.

If bleeding continues at the same rate for more than 10-15 minutes, you may need emergency care at the ER immediately.

In either of these cases, a cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help reduce swelling and numb the pain.

3. Manage Your Pain

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage severe tooth pain. Don’t put aspirin directly on your tooth or gums. This can burn the tissue and cause more dental problems. Contact Dr. Mancin for help about which medicine to take.

Broken Tooth Care Steps

4. Protect the Damaged Tooth

While waiting to see the dentist, you can cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue and cheeks. These are available at local drug stores. Additionally, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Stick to soft foods until you get dental treatment.

5. Contact a Dentist ASAP

As you will find out below, the ER is not the best place for dental issues. That’s why it’s so important to contact your dentist right away if you have damaged a tooth or have any tooth pain.

Can Your Tooth Be Saved?

Saving a tooth after injury is possible in several different ways. Keep in mind that a tooth has many parts.

To make this simple, let’s talk about a “tooth” into three parts: the top, middle, and bottom of the tooth.

If the very top part of the tooth is cleanly broken off, a crown or veneer overlay could fix it. Saving most of the tooth.

If the middle of the tooth is cracked, a crown may still be possible, but the top of the tooth will not be saved.

If the bottom, also known as the root, is cracked/damaged, the entire tooth and root will be extracted, and an implant is recommended.

If the entire tooth is cleanly knocked loose or completely out and then pushed back in, it may heal without additional treatment.

However, and this is a big however, this is rare, and you still need to see a dentist for X-rays and an exam.

When to Seek Emergency Dental Services

Get Immediate Care If You Have:

Severe Pain That Won’t Stop: A severe toothache that doesn’t improve with pain medicine needs immediate attention. This could mean nerve damage or a rapid infection.

A Knocked-Out Tooth: For knocked-out teeth, time matters. You’ll have about 30 minutes to save a permanent tooth. You can try to put the tooth back in, but this is not recommended if you can get to a dentist right away. The ER may not be able to see you in time. Keep the tooth moist (warm, salty water) and get to a dental office immediately.

Visible Cracks or Large Breaks: Deep cracks or large breaks expose the inner tooth and blood supply to bacteria. Once that bacteria is in there, it multiplies like crazy. This can lead to dental abscesses and serious root infections without fast treatment.

Loose Tooth After Injury: Dental injuries that cause a disconnected tooth need quick care. If the tooth is just loose and still in the socket, gently push it back in.

The tooth might be saved with the right emergency treatment. A loose tooth has more time before needing repair compared to a completely knocked-out tooth, but you should not delay going to a dental practice ASAP.

In any of these cases, the hospital’s urgent care can help, but their priorities are life-saving care, so you may have to wait a while.

Going to a dentist right away is possible, and some of the most qualified dentists are implant specialists.

Why Choose an Implant Specialist for Your Broken Tooth

When facing a painful tooth emergency, you want the most experienced Overland Park dentist handling your care.

Dr. Mancin’s expertise with dental implants means he understands tooth and bone structure better than most. His advanced training in restorative dentistry helps him save teeth that others might extract.

And if you need an extraction, a crown, or an implant, he can help right away.

At OP Implant Dental, new patients get immediate care for dental emergencies. The practice offers comprehensive treatment options, including:

  • Emergency tooth extractions when needed
  • Dental crown placement to protect damaged teeth
  • Dental filling and bonding for smaller breaks
  • Dental implants for complete tooth loss
  • Complete treatment plans for long-term dental health

Can You Go to the ER for an Injured tooth?

While an emergency room can help with severe pain, continuous bleeding, or facial trauma, they can’t fix your tooth.

ERs do not provide expert care and typically give pain medicine and antibiotics, then tell you to see a dentist. Occasionally, a dentist is on hand, but they won’t have everything needed to fix the problem.

For actual dental work and tooth repair, you need a dental office with proper equipment and an experienced dental team.

Urgent care centers in Leawood, Prairie Village, and Overland Park face the same limits.

They handle medical emergencies but lack tools for dental treatment. Save time and get proper care by calling an emergency dentist directly.

Will an Emergency Dentist Fix a Tooth?

Yes, emergency dentists provide complete repair services. Dr. Mancin offers several treatment types depending on your break:

Small Chips: Simple bonding or a filling can fix minor damage in just one visit.

Moderate Breaks: A dental crown protects and restores the tooth’s shape and function.

Severe Damage: Root canal therapy saves infected teeth. When teeth can’t be saved, dental implants provide a permanent replacement for a new tooth.

Lost Fillings: Quick replacement prevents further damage and infection.

The dental appointment includes X-rays to check for hidden damage. Dr. Mancin creates a personalized treatment program based on your specific dental needs.

Where Do I Go If I Have a Damaged Tooth?

For Overland Park residents, OP Implant Dental provides comprehensive emergency dental services.

Our practice is conveniently located off Interstate 435 on the corner of Antioch Rd and College Blvd. for patients near Leawood, Prairie Village, and the greater Kansas City area.

Direction to OP Implant Dental in Overland Park

The practice accepts most dental insurance plans and offers payment plans.

The office specializes in:

  • Family dentistry ages 14 & up
  • Cosmetic dentistry to restore your smile
  • Full mouth restoration & dentures
  • Wisdom teeth extraction
  • Gum disease treatment
  • Restorative crowns & implants
  • Teeth Whitening services.

Dr. Mancin’s team understands dental emergencies don’t follow schedules. They work to see emergency patients the same day, often within hours of calling.

How Urgent Is It to Fix a Tooth?

Time matters with broken teeth. Waiting causes:

Infection Risk: Bacteria enter through cracks, causing painful abscesses.

More Damage: Small breaks become big problems without protection.

Tooth Loss: Delayed treatment often means extraction becomes the only option.

Higher Costs: Early treatment costs less than complex procedures later.

Even without pain, see a dentist within 24 hours. Some breaks damage the tooth root or nerve without causing immediate pain.

Broken Tooth Dental Office Overland Park

Preventing Future Dental Emergencies

After fixing your fractured tooth, protect your dental health:

Wear Protection: Use a mouthguard during sports or a night guard if you grind teeth at night.

Regular Check-ups: Routine dental visits catch problems before they become emergencies.

Good Hygiene: Brush twice daily and use dental floss to prevent decay that weakens teeth.

Avoid Hard Foods: Don’t chew ice, hard candy, or use teeth as tools.

Scheduling and having regular cleanings and X-rays can save a lot of money in the long run.

Take Action Now – Call OP Implant Dental Today

Don’t let a painful tooth emergency ruin your smile or health. Every minute counts when you have an emergency tooth problem.

Dr. Andrew Mancin at Overland Park Implant Dental has the experience and know-how to save your tooth.

With extensive training in dental implants and restorative procedures, he handles complex cases that other dentists refer out.

His practice offers immediate attention for all dental emergencies, from a simple chipped tooth to severe dental trauma.

The caring team understands you’re in pain and worried about your tooth. They provide top-notch care in a comfortable environment, explaining every step of your treatment.

Call today for same-day emergency appointment availability.

New patients receive a free consultation to find the right treatment and dental insurance coverage.

Complete Dental Care Overland Park

Whether you need a quick repair or extensive dental work, Dr. Mancin and the OP dental team create affordable solutions to restore your smile.

Don’t wait in an emergency room or urgent care center that can’t actually fix your tooth anyway.

Get the specialized treatment you need from Overland Park’s trusted implant and emergency dental provider.

Your teeth deserve the best care possible, especially during a dental emergency.

Call OP Implant Dental now at (913) 956-2990 for immediate emergency dental care.

Same-day appointments available for broken teeth, severe toothaches, and all dental emergencies in Overland Park.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589664

https://health.mo.gov/living/families/oralhealth/dental-emergency-preparedness.php

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6363052

Photo of author
Author
Dr. Andrew Mancin
Dr. Andrew Mancin is a dedicated Implant dentist with a passion for providing exceptional oral healthcare to his patients in Overland Park, Kansas. With years of experience in the field, Dr. Mancin has honed his skills in a variety of dental procedures, from routine check-ups and cleanings to more complex treatments like dental implants and cosmetic dentistry.