You may love your dentures as they helped you get a full smile you adore. They let you enjoy a wide range of foods once again, but this tooth replacement can break just like natural teeth if you aren’t careful. While they are a prosthetic, this is still a dental emergency that you need to visit your dentist for. You use them every day after all, so here’s why it’s urgent and whether broken dentures can be repaired.
What Made My Denture Break?
Many factors come into play when it comes to a denture breaking, such as:
- How long you had it for. It might’ve taken years, but they may have started to reach the end of their lifespan. Their integrity slowly diminishes because of wear and tear from daily eating.
- Overindulging in sugary and acidic foods. These items can affect the material over time, potentially causing long-term damage.
- Biting into a hard item might’ve put too much pressure on your prosthetic, which led to it breaking.
- An improper fit can lead to them being unstable, so chewing can put stress on the restoration, leading to cracks.
- You might’ve accidentally dropped them while you were cleaning them, as they’re slippery when wet.
Why Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?
No matter, any sort of damage is a dental emergency! Your dentures are made to fit your mouth perfectly, so any changes can alter how they sit on your gums. There may be new pressure points due to the chip or crack, leading to sore spots or even cuts from sharp edges. You’ll likely not be able to eat or speak as comfortably since they may move more often.
It’s also important you don’t fix them yourself. You may be tempted to use glue you have on hand, but many aren’t safe for oral use. You might be at a higher risk of serious issues because of it!
As well, denture repair kits aren’t the best solution. You may not add enough or put too much material, leading to a bigger mess than before. Your provider might also not be able to fix your prosthetic due to the alterations you made!
How Can My Dentist Fix My Broken Denture?
The best way to get your restoration fixed up is by visiting your dentist. They can help restore it to its original shape in a couple of different ways:
- Repairs can be made by sending them to a dental lab; that way, a skilled artisan makes the adjustments they need.
- Relining them can help change the fit if your prosthetic doesn’t sit right. Adding more material to the surface can make it snug.
- Replacing it may be your only option if the damage is severe enough.
While dentures aren’t natural teeth, it’s still an urgent situation if they break! Visit your dentist, and they can help make them great, so you get a full smile once again.
About the Author
Dr. Kimberly Peters earned her dental degree from the Augusta University Dental College of Georgia. She now uses her advanced training and experience to give the Conyers community the high-quality care they deserve. Dr. Peters is here for you during your dental emergencies, offering same-day visits to get you the relief you deserve. If you had a denture break, the fastest way to schedule an appointment is by calling (770) 922-1666.