Are you wondering how to fix broken dentures? If so, it sounds like you’ve damaged your dentures in some way.
The condition of your dentures is just as important as the condition of your natural teeth. If you’re wearing dentures that are no longer a good fit or damaged, it can lead to serious dental problems. For this reason, it’s good to have a plan if you accidentally damage your dentures or break them.
Your best defence against dental issues is regular check-ups with your dentist to maintain your oral health, even when you have dentures. Follow the tips below to repair a broken denture and help you avoid damage in the first place.
Common causes of broken dentures
Unsurprisingly, the most common cause of a broken denture is general wear and tear. Dentures don’t last forever, and constant grinding, chewing, and pressure puts them under stress. The longer you have had your false teeth, the more chance they may be in need of repair.
You can also damage your dentures by biting into hard foods. Acidic food and beverages, plus damage caused by hot and cold temperatures also contribute to the wear and tear of false teeth over time.
So, now you know the causes of broken dentures, let’s look at what you can do to remedy the situation.
How to fix broken dentures?
While it may seem tempting to have a go at repairing your dentures yourself, in all honesty, it’s in your best interest to seek the assistance of a dentist when broken dentures need repair.
The first thing to do is arrange an emergency appointment with your dentist. While you may find a quick temporary fix, it’s crucial to get your dentures checked and repaired as quickly as possible. Your dentures are too important for you to risk repairing them yourself.
Explain your situation to the dentist and let them know what part of your denture has broken. It may be that the pink acrylic base has cracked or one of the denture teeth is loose or damaged.
Most dentists leave time in their daily schedule for dental emergencies. If you rely on dentures for speaking and eating, although it’s not an emergency, per se, they will understand the urgency when wanting to get your denture fixed.
Why professional repair?
It’s worth bearing in mind that dentures are precision-crafted dental appliances, custom made to fit the contours of your bite to ensure good bite functionality.
Unless you happen to be a dental technician, it’s unlikely that any repair you carry out will achieve this exact bite alignment. As a result, you could end up with an ill-fitting denture that not only feels uncomfortable but slips and slides around in your mouth.
How embarrassing is that!
Moreover, if you’ve inflicted further damage to your denture, you may find you need a replacement denture. So what started as a simple broken denture repair could end up costing you lots more money.
Quick fixes for broken dentures
So, what can you do in the meantime until you can visit your dentist?
You can find many videos online showing you how to mend broken dentures, but as most of them are from non-professionals, they may do more harm than good.
Source a denture repair kit
These denture repair kits contain all you need for short-term repairs, including safe bonding material. Some kits contain replacement teeth which could be very handy if you have lost or damaged one or more teeth in your denture. Do bear in mind however that over-the-counter repair kits are only ever a temporary measure. But should be sufficient to get you through until you see your dentist.
Finally, a word of warning – never attempt to glue broken dentures together however tempting it might be. Household glue contains toxins that could be harmful when ingested.
Follow up on your emergency fix broken dentures appointment
While this may sound obvious, even if your temporary repair seems to have done the job, it is just that – temporary.
A dentist must take a closer look at your broken denture. If the damage is minor, such as a chipped tooth, they can probably repair it while you wait. On the other hand, if the damage is more significant, your broken dentures may need to be sent away for repair to a dental lab. If this is the case, your dentist will fit you with a temporary interim denture, so you don’t have to be without teeth.
Whatever your denture problem, it’s always best to consult with your dentist for peace of mind.
Hopefully, we have answered your question about how to fix broken dentures. If you need a new denture, why not schedule a consultation with the friendly, experienced Southport Park Family Dental team. Call us on (07) 5655 7688 today.
