Types of Denture Repairs: When Same-day Repair is Appropriate
Getting dentures can be life-changing for someone missing all or several teeth in that they will restore their ability to speak, bite, and chew properly. This completely revitalizes the quality of life of such a person.
Dentures are an alternative to dental implants and bridges and are the cheapest option among the three. These removable oral appliances consist of prosthetic teeth attached to a removable supporting structure.
How Do Dentures Get Damaged?
Modern-day dentures are made and designed to last for a long time. Nonetheless, they remain susceptible to breaks and cracks. Dentures can break due to several reasons. Here are some of the causes:
- Not fitting – Wearing dentures that don’t fit well in your mouth causes uneven distribution of bite forces causing the appliance to rock in your mouth. Over time, the rocking causes the denture to weaken and break.
- Banging/dropping – Accidentally knocking off your dentures against the tap or dropping the dentures in the sink when cleaning them is a top cause of damaged dentures. The impact is usually enough to cause a weak spot which may lead up to your denture breaking a few months later.
- Isolated teeth – Having isolated teeth risks breaking off your denture. Although the denture is designed to hold the tooth, constant chewing may add pressure to it, causing it to break off.
- Clasps breaking – Clasps found in dentures are commonly made from gold or stainless steel. These clasps help retain the dentures by securing them around natural teeth. Regularly inserting and removing the denture puts pressure on the clasps and can cause them to break.
- Gradual wear and tear – Just like all other man-made materials, the materials used to make dentures, too, weaken over time. This later results in damaged dentures, especially if the denture is more than five years old.
3 Main Types of Denture Repair
Before becoming a denture wearer, you need to know that dentures will gradually become loose-fitting or break over time; hence you may need to go to the dentist for repairs or a replacement. A damaged or fractured denture can distress the wearer and cause physical discomfort. The dentist may suggest three main types of repairs done to dentures in Oak Lawn, IL, depending on the nature of the damage. They are:
- Denture Realigning
Denture relines are recommended when one side of your denture touches the soft tissues in the oral cavity. It is done to improve the dentures’ fit in the mouth, and this repair is, in most cases, necessary because of the natural changes that occur to dental tissues with time.
- Denture Rebase
Rebasing is a denture repair procedure that aims to replace the whole base of your dentures to improve their stability. Your dentist will suggest a denture rebase when it becomes cracked or reaches its lifespan.
- Denture Adjustment
Denture adjustments are usually made to fix minor issues, especially when comfort is compromised. It involves adjusting the aesthetic parts of the denture to ensure they fit properly and are comfortable for the wearer.
Same-Day Walk-In Denture Relines and Repairs
Over time mouths change, and your dentures will need some adjusting for them to continue serving their purpose. Unfortunately, the repair process is not always convenient, and it may take several days before they are sent from the lab. This does not have to be the case anymore because same-day denture repair services are available at Forrest Tower DDS. Our dentist in Oak Lawn, IL, will work on your dentures within one day, and you won’t be required to wear temporary teeth.
How fast your denture gets fixed by the dentist will be dependent on the extent of damage sustained. Heavily damaged dentures may need more time, work, and skills to repair which is also why experts advise against fixing the denture by yourself. When the denture is damaged beyond repair, a new replacement denture will be necessary.
Conclusion
If you get dentures near you and they suffer any damage, seeking professional denture repair services is always the best move to make. DIY repair strategies may cause further damage to the dentures or ruin them completely. Going to an expert for repairs will guarantee an enhanced smile, quality care, and improved oral health.
FAQs
Dentures can crack or weaken for several reasons. A poor fit can cause the denture to rock in your mouth, putting stress on the material. Dropping them while cleaning is another common cause of damage. Individual denture teeth can loosen from chewing forces, and partial denture clasps may weaken from frequent removal. Over time, normal wear also makes the acrylic base more fragile.
Denture repairs generally fall into three categories:
- Relining, which improves the fit by adding new material to the inside surface of the denture.
- Rebasing, which replaces the entire acrylic base while keeping the teeth.
- Adjustments, which address small pressure spots or minor comfort issues.
Your dentist will recommend the right option based on the type of damage and how the denture fits.
A reline refreshes the surface of the denture that rests against your gums. New material is added to help the denture fit more snugly and comfortably. This is often recommended when your gums and bone have changed shape over time.
Rebasing involves replacing the entire pink acrylic base of the denture while keeping the available denture teeth. This is usually recommended when the base is cracked, worn out, or no longer strong enough to support daily use.
Adjustments help fix small comfort problems without rebuilding the denture. They can smooth rough edges, relieve pressure points, or fine-tune how the denture rests on your gums. These are quick modifications and often done in the office.
Same-day repair may be possible when the damage is simple—such as a crack, a broken tooth on the denture, or a loose fit. The specific timing depends on how complex the repair is and what materials are needed. Your dentist will let you know whether a same-day turnaround is realistic.
At-home glues or repair kits can damage the denture’s structure, affect the bite, or make the fit worse. They may even make the denture harder to repair later. Professional repairs use safe materials and allow us to restore the denture properly so it’s comfortable and functional.
If the denture is severely cracked, warped, or worn out, it may not be possible to fix it safely. In that case, your dentist may recommend creating a new denture to give you a stable and comfortable fit.
For many minor issues, repairs can often be completed within the same day. The exact timeline depends on the type of damage and how much work is needed. Your dentist will provide an estimate after examining the denture.
Place your dentures over a soft towel or basin of water to avoid breaking them if they slip. Regular check-ups help ensure the fit stays comfortable and reduces stress on the denture. When you’re not wearing them, store them in water to prevent the acrylic from drying out or warping.
