A crack or break in your denture can be a cause for serious concern. Everyday activities can be significantly impeded, including chewing, eating, speaking clearly, and smiling.

There are various reasons for denture (or dental prosthesis) fractures. Possibly the most common cause is dropping your dental appliance. This is not unusual; dentures are taken out of the mouth before sleeping and can be easily knocked off a bathroom counter or bedroom side table. In some cases, dentures may get loose and slip out of your mouth.

Another likely cause of denture damage is prolonged use. The longer you’ve had your full dentures or partials, the more they’ve been subjected to pressure from chewing and varying temperatures from different food and drinks.

Here’s what you should do the moment you discover your denture is broken:

• Identify the damage and its cause
  Check your denture thoroughly to see where the problems are. There might be a slight crack in the acrylic, a chip in the tooth, or a loose tooth. The worst scenario, however, is if your denture is broken in half. Other issues may have a temporary solution, but a denture clearly broken in half should only be handled by your denturist.
• Call your denturist
  Inform your denturist about the damage right away. Give the details, including how bad the break is and which area is broken. Don’t do anything else until you’ve spoken with your denturist and scheduled an appointment. Wait for his/her advice whether it’s possible to temporarily fix the denture with a “DIY” repair until you meet.
• Buy a denture repair kit
  If you’ve got an important event on the day of the break and can’t make an immediate dental appointment, your denturist may recommend you use a denture repair kit. These kits typically include adhesive, cement, and temporary teeth you can substitute for any that were detached. Remember, this is only a temporary solution and should only be considered in the event of an emergency.
• Visit your denturist as soon as possible
  During your scheduled appointment with your denturist, s/he will inspect your denture, repair it, and then check how well it fits in your mouth. Depending on the damage, the repair work could take a few minutes or several hours. For a badly broken denture, you may need an entire replacement.

Always be careful with your dentures and other dental appliances; regularly clean them to make them last longer. Handle your denture with care and be careful where you place it after removal.

If you’d like to know more about caring for your dentures, as well as denture repair, Smiles Denture Care Centre would be glad to answer your questions. Call us for an appointment at (519) 457-2800.