Dentures can often be damaged by accident, even for the most careful denture wearers. If you drop the dentures, it can cause cracks, chips, or breakage. Also, with time, dentures can face quite a bit of strain due to routine activities like chewing, talking, pressure, etc., which can wear them down. Eating hard foods can also damage your dentures. Old dentures are more susceptible to cracks, and artificial teeth can also gradually loosen and fall out. Here are ways for your emergency denture repair to go smoothly and successfully.

If you are a denture wearer, maintaining your dentures to be in good condition is essential for your oral health. Broken or poorly fitted dentures can cause serious issues and can be expensive to repair as they worsen.

 

 

How Long Should Dentures Last?

The average lifespan of a set of dentures is between 7 and 10 years. They are a long-term solution, but we have to accept that dentures age. Dentists still recommend getting them replaced after their average lifespan. While most dentures are removable, there are various kinds of dentures to choose from. Some will be better suited to your lifestyle than others.

Your general dentist or prosthodontist can walk you through your denture options to find a type that works well for you and will last you a long time.

How to Keep Your Dentures in Good Shape

The better care you take of your dentures, the longer they will last. Practicing proper dental care by regularly cleaning your dentures will keep them hygienic and functional for longer.

Here are some other tips for keeping your dentures in good shape:

  • Don’t use them the whole day — Don’t keep your dentures overnight unless otherwise instructed by your dentist or prosthodontist. This will give your mouth and the surrounding gum tissue and bones a chance to relax and subsequently put less pressure on your dentures.
  • denture repairPlace your dentures in water — This helps retain their shape and keeps them pliable.
  • Soak them when not in useSoak your dentures every day in a denture-cleansing solution. This helps remove any leftover bacteria, which keeps your dentures fresh and helps to prevent bad breath. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and remember to rinse thoroughly before placing your dentures back in your mouth
  • Safeguard your dentures while cleaning — Clean and wash them over a folded towel or bowl of water. This will prevent your dentures from breaking if you accidentally drop them.
  • Never place your dentures in boiling water — Hot water can warp dentures.
  • Use nonabrasive denture cleansers — Avoid using bleach or other household products on your dentures to prevent damaging them. Daily cleaning prevents plaque, biofilm, and bacteria buildup
  • Use a vinegar and baking soda mixture — Like your natural teeth, dentures need to be cleaned daily to remove lingering food and bacteria and prevent stains. Using a denture cleanser, gently brush the entire surface area of your dentures, including the part that touches your gums. You can use a vinegar-baking soda combo as an alternative to denture cleaners.
  • Use a soft-bristle toothbrush — This prevents grooves and damage to your dentures
  • Avoid using toothpaste to clean your dentures — Highly abrasive toothpaste can damage dentures over time

Common Denture Issues

There are several reasons you may need an emergency repair to your dentures or partial dentures.

The fit

First, it is important to understand that an improper fit can cause your dentures to grind against themselves unnecessarily while chewing. This can result in your dentures breaking or chipping more easily while eating meals. Also, dentures are not meant to last forever. As dentures age, the material becomes thin and weakened, leaving your dentures susceptible to fractures and damage.

Accidents happen

Dentures are not bulletproof, and they often break upon impact with the ground. Over time, the gums underneath your dentures can begin to change. Usually, the area shrinks, leaving your dentures to fit more loosely than they should. This can also result in broken or damaged dentures. However, it can be hard to tell if your dentures are not fitting properly, so be sure to attend regular checkups with your dentist.

The gums change

emergency dentureIf the gum area under your dentures has changed and the dentures no longer fit, you may need your dentures to be repaired to fit once again, a process many dentists call “relining” or “basing” the denture. Denture relining is usually a pretty quick and easy process, so you can be back to wearing your dentures in no time.

Why fix broken dentures?

A broken set of dentures is also simply uncomfortable and can seriously impact your quality of life. Not being able to chew correctly is a big issue that can arise from damaged dentures. This can lead to stomach and digestion issues, which only adds to the discomfort. If your dentures are damaged, fixing your cracked dentures should be high on your priority list.

It’s easy to see why it’s important to get your dentures repaired as soon as possible, and just as easy to find a dentist to do so. With a wide variety of emergency and after-hours denture repair services, there’s likely to be one near you that can get your dentures back in working order in no time.

My denture broke: What should I do?

Accidents happen to anyone at anytime, anywhere. This is also true with denture wearers. Here are steps to take immediately for denture repair:

  1. The first step is to examine the breakage to determine the extent of the damage. It is usually best to seek a denturist’s help to fix your dentures. However, some people might opt to get an emergency denture repair kit to fix their dentures.
  2. If you need immediate professional help to fix the dentures, contact your denturist to schedule the earliest possible appointment. Even if you do not, follow the instructions provided by your denturist accurately.
  3. If you opt for a denture repair kit, it needs to be labeled as safe for dental work.
  4. Never try to fix your dentures using home adhesives or following several DIY emergency denture repair ideas on the internet using household products. You can cause some serious damage to your teeth and dentures by doing so.

4 Types of Denture Repairs

Depending on how your dentures break, there are different types of repairs available:

1. Denture Reline

A denture reline refers to reworking or replacing the side of your denture that touches the soft tissues in your mouth. This helps the dentures fit more comfortably.

This repair is often necessary due to natural changes in a person’s dental tissue or bone. These changes can depend on oral hygiene, weight, general health, and age.

2. Denture Rebase

A denture rebase refers to remaking what’s left of the pink acrylic part of your denture that holds the teeth. This will require processing it in a dental lab.

Dentists recommend this kind of repair if all the teeth in your denture are in good shape, but the pink acrylic has deteriorated. However, it’s rare for them to recommend this for partial dentures.

3. Denture Adjustment

A denture adjustment is a fairly quick procedure that dentists can perform in their clinics. They can choose not to send your dentures back to a dental lab for reprocessing.

A denture adjustment refers to removing acrylic from the dentures, so they fit more comfortably in your mouth. If a denture fits poorly in your mouth, you may experience the following:

  • Difficulty chewing
  • Develop sore spots
  • Feel your dentures slipping while you talk

4. Denture Replacement

If your dentures are broken beyond repair or don’t work for you anymore, you may need to replace them altogether. Replacing a denture is similar to getting your first set of dentures.

The emergency denture repair cost

A denture repair’s average cost is between $100 to $500. The total cost will depend on a few factors, including:

  • denture repair consultHow badly your dentures are broken
  • Your type of dentures
  • Your dental clinic
  • The dental lab

Dentures are a reliable and affordable means of replacement for missing teeth, but they can become damaged, stained, or cracked over time. Fortunately, there are options for emergency denture repair that will help restore your dental appliance as quickly and easily as possible. Here are some tips for emergency denture repair:

Consult a Professional

As with any medical issue, it’s important to consult with a professional when you experience an emergency with your dentures. They will be able to provide the best advice on how to proceed in fixing or replacing them. They may also get in touch with the best emergency denture repair services so as to provide better replacements for your dentures.

Spot Check

Take the time to spot-check the affected area before rushing into anything else. Look closely at the broken pieces or cracks within the denture to determine if they need repairing or replacing entirely. This can help you determine which option is best and save you time and money in the long run.

Ask Around

Don’t be afraid to ask around to find out which services offer helpful emergency denture repair techniques and products that could work in your situation. Many dental offices will have experienced professionals who can help assess and repair the problem quickly and efficiently, so take advantage of those resources!

Follow Care Instructions

After getting your dentures repaired, follow all denture repair lab care instructions very carefully in order to keep them looking their best for longer periods of time. Always clean them thoroughly according to what you were instructed during your appointment so that bacteria won’t build up inside of them again, resulting in further damage down the line!

Schedule Regular Visits

It’s important that you schedule regular visits with your dentist or prosthodontist in order to ensure that your dentures are not only properly fitted but also maintained correctly over time. This can help prevent any further damage from occurring early on and allow you to get years of reliable use out of them!

By taking into account these steps before considering any emergency denture repairs or replacements, you can be sure that everything about your broken dentures goes as smoothly as possible!

 

References:

https://eurodenture.com/blog/emergency-denture-repair/

https://www.newmouth.com/dentistry/restorative/dentures/repair/

https://mypenndentist.org/dental-tips/2022/10/18/how-to-fix-broken-dentures-at-home/

https://www.polident.com/en-us/full-dentures/denture-care/fixing-broken-dentures/

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Agatha Hansen

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