Cracking, chipping, or completely breaking a tooth can happen in the blink of an eye. Whether it’s from biting into something hard, falling, or dealing with long-term decay, a broken tooth is always a dental emergency. If it happens, staying calm and knowing what to do can help save your tooth and prevent future complications.

At Advanced Dental Associates in Lee’s Summit, we provide immediate and effective treatment for dental injuries of all kinds. Here’s what to do if you break a tooth—and how your local dentist in Lee’s Summit MO can help restore your smile.

Immediate Steps After Breaking a Tooth

A dental emergency is never convenient, but acting quickly can minimize the damage:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away debris.
• Apply pressure with clean gauze if there’s bleeding.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain.
• Save any pieces of the broken tooth in milk or saline.
• Call a dentist immediately—don’t wait to be seen.

Even if the tooth doesn’t hurt, fractures or chips can expose the inner layers to bacteria and infection. Seeing a family dentist in Lee’s Summit MO right away helps preserve your oral health and avoid more serious interventions.

What Causes Teeth to Break?

Teeth are strong—but not indestructible. Common causes of broken teeth include:

• Biting into hard foods or objects
• Facial trauma from sports or accidents
• Cavities that weaken the tooth structure
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Old or damaged dental fillings

If you have a history of clenching or grinding, or you’ve skipped routine dental care, your risk of breaking a tooth increases. That’s why regular teeth cleaning in Lee’s Summit MO and exams are essential.

Types of Dental Breaks and What They Mean

Not all broken teeth are the same. Here’s a breakdown of common types:

Minor Chips

These are superficial and usually don’t cause pain. A quick polish or veneers in Lee’s Summit MO may be all that’s needed for a cosmetic fix.

Cracks and Fractures

Cracked teeth may cause pain when chewing or exposure to hot/cold. Treatment ranges from dental fillings in Lee’s Summit MO to crowns, depending on depth.

Severe Breaks

When a large portion of the tooth breaks off or the nerve is exposed, urgent care is needed. A root canal in Lee’s Summit MO followed by a crown is a common solution.

Split Tooth

These often occur when a crack has been left untreated and spreads. Extraction may be necessary.

How Your Dentist Will Repair a Broken Tooth

Your treatment plan will depend on the type and severity of the break. At Advanced Dental Associates, we offer comprehensive solutions including:

Dental Bonding or Fillings

Perfect for small chips or cracks. Tooth-colored resin restores both appearance and function.

Crowns

If the break is more extensive, a crown covers the remaining tooth to protect it. Crowns are especially effective after a root canal.

Root Canal Therapy

Necessary if the inner pulp becomes exposed or infected. This procedure cleans out the infection and saves the tooth.

Extraction

If the damage is beyond repair, your dentist in Lee’s Summit MO may recommend extraction. We’ll discuss replacement options like implants, bridges, or dentures.

How to Prevent a Broken Tooth

Prevention is always the best approach. Some tips to help you avoid a dental emergency include:

• Don’t chew ice or hard candies
• Use scissors, not your teeth, to open packages
• Wear a mouthguard for contact sports
• Treat teeth grinding with a custom nightguard
• Keep up with regular checkups and cleanings

Routine exams also allow us to catch early signs of gum disease in Lee’s Summit MO, which weakens teeth over time.

When Kids Break a Tooth

Children are especially prone to dental accidents. If your child breaks a tooth—baby or permanent—call your pediatric dentist in Lee’s Summit MO immediately. Our team will assess whether it can be repaired or if additional care is needed. We provide gentle care that prioritizes comfort, even in stressful moments.

Related Cosmetic and Restorative Options

Once the tooth is repaired, we may recommend cosmetic treatments to enhance your smile or restore function:

• Veneers – Ideal for chipped front teeth
• Teeth whitening in Lee’s Summit MO – Brighten the smile after trauma
• Botox in Lee’s Summit MO – Sometimes recommended to manage bruxism-related jaw pain following a break
• TMD treatment – If jaw misalignment contributed to tooth damage, seeing a TMD dentist in Lee’s Summit MO may be beneficial

Our team offers full-scope care, including restorative dentistry, fillings, crowns, and veneers, all under one roof.

Your Smile Deserves the Best Care

No matter how minor or severe your tooth break is, we’re here to help. Advanced Dental Associates provides compassionate, comprehensive care that puts your comfort first. From emergency treatment to long-term smile restoration, we’ll walk with you every step of the way.

Searching for a reliable family or emergency dentist in Lee’s Summit MO? Call us today to get the care you need—fast.