Denture Repair:

Why it’s Happens, How to Repair, and How to Preserve Them

What is a denture repair? Denture repair is performed by a dental expert to guarantee long-lasting results. While some things are all right to do yourself, when it comes to your denture needs, you should always trust a professional.

Why do dentures break?

Dentures are a perhaps one of the greatest substitutes for missing teeth. They are a removeable replacement for absent teeth and surrounding tissues. Dentures are created to be resilient and tough, however, there are different circumstances that can lead to a damaged or broken set of dentures. Sometimes dentures are broken from chewing or biting something hard.

They can even become damaged from being dropped. It is also common for one or more of the false teeth to become misaligned due to regular wear and tear, which can create a feeling of discomfort and/or annoyance. Denture repair is great when, and most used to:

• Replace a tooth. Often after being dropped, a tooth can break or completely fall out. This may not cause you pain or irritation but will affect your chewing. Depending on the location of the missing or broken tooth, it can be very unflattering as well.
• A snapped, cracked, or fractured prosthesis. Dentures get weaker as time goes on and this means they become more fragile. Sometimes dentures can start to crack and can completely break in half.

• Chipping or breaking acrylic. This can be very frustrating and can cause irritation within your mouth. It is important to get this repaired quickly, as little pieces can continue to break off and you could swallow them.
• With partial dentures you could have damage to the metal clasp. This typically happens in the same ways that dentures lose a tooth, crack, or chip – from being dropped.

What is a denture reline?

Some people are very good at taking special care of their dentures. Even if they have not broken a set, they will eventually need to get a reline. A reline is like a repair; it is a resurfacing of the sides of the denture that contacts the soft tissues within the mouth. The purpose of a denture reline is to ensure the denture fits securely and comfortably.  Relining your dentures is a good idea if they are relatively new or if your gums are not shrinking quickly. They are also necessary every two years to ensure that no changes have occurred to your original fitting.

How should I repair my dentures? Who should repair them?

Sometimes home repair kits are a good temporary solution for a broken set of dentures, however we recommend that you go to your denturist as soon as possible to have a proper repair done. It may be tempting to try out a DIY repair kit for a cheap and quick solution, but it is important to remember that you have spent a good amount of money on your dentures. You use them everyday for eating, talking, and looking your best. If you want them to work and look as good as possible for as long as possible, you should get the repair done by your denturist.

You should always take damaged or broken dentures to a trusted denturist, like Olds Denture and Implant Centre. The convenience of on-site denture repair to fix damaged or fractured dentures, as well as same-day repairs, make it a convenient solution for any denture issue.

How can I make my dentures last longer?

Dentures typically have a life span of 5 to 7 years. To make them last to their full potential, it is important that you take care of them.

• Denture removal

It is important to take your dentures out before you go to bed at night and even after eating (to be cleaned). The best way to take your dentures out is to remove them with both hands. After countless days, months, and even years, taking your dentures out from one side can make them loose their shape and create wear patterns in a portion of the dentures.

• Rinse them/rinse after eating

Dentures should always be cleaned on a regular basis – keeping them clean is essential for preserving their form and for your own oral health. Even without natural teeth, oral health is still important. By rinsing your dentures regularly, especially after eating, you are ensuring that no food or bacteria is trapped between the dentures and your gums. If bacteria do become trapped, it could lead to an infection.

• Clean dentures and your gums

When cleaning your dentures, it is important not to drop them. We recommend placing your dentures onto a towel on your counter or in the sink as not to drop them or create unintentional cracks or scratches. When cleaning your dentures, use a denture cleaner and do not use toothpaste. Some toothpastes can be quite abrasive and will cause damage to the surface of your dentures and can shorten their lifespan.

• Soak

Some people choose to wear their dentures overnight, however, we do not recommend this. You could be trapping bacteria or food underneath the dentures from earlier in the day. By choosing to soak them, you are increasing the lifespan of your dentures. We recommend letting your dentures sit in a special denture solution overnight. These solutions help to keep your dentures at their best, ensures that they do not start to dry out or crack, and can also help make them more comfortable to wear.

• Plastic case

Whenever you plan on removing your dentures for a long period of time (to give your gums a rest or if you are not planning to soak them overnight but still removed them) you should put your dentures into a plastic case. This can help protect them from scratches and drops, and can also protect from pets or small children.

• Regular dental visits

It is important to regularly schedule dental appointments and appointments with your denturist. If it has been a while since you last had a checkup, if you are starting to develop sore gums, or other irritations, or have damaged or broke a set of dentures, reach out to Old’s Denture and Implant Centre to schedule an appointment.

If you have any other questions about denture repairs, relines, or the best steps for caring for your dentures, reach out to Old’s Denture and Implant Centre. You can give us a call at 403-791-3303 or visit our website oldsdenturecentre.com