Denture repair is an unavoidable part of owning and wearing dentures. Although dentures are durable and made to last, accidents happen. If you drop your dentures during cleaning or hear a suspicious crack while chewing hard candy, you may have accidentally damaged your appliance.
Even when you are careful, dentures will wear down over time. Your mouth will change over time too. As this happens, the appliance that used to be comfortable might suddenly feel sore, tight, or loose.
If this happens to you, do not panic. Your dentist can fix minor damage or ease any discomfort with denture repair and adjustments.
The type of denture repair that a patient need will depend on the severity of the damage or discomfort. When talking to a dentist, here are four possible procedures that they may recommend.
In some ways, a denture reline is not a “repair” because dentures do not need to be broken to be relined. It is a type of routine maintenance that improves the fit and feel of the denture. Relines can also fix thin lines or warping.
Many patients will get a reline every few months because it reduces irritation in the mouth and extends the appliance’s longevity. The dentist or dental lab will resurface the denture parts that touch the patient’s gums, cheeks, and other soft tissue during a reline.
During a denture rebase, the dentist or dental laboratory will rebuild the “gums” of the denture. Dentists will recommend this type of denture repair when the base of the appliance is broken or fractured.
Rebasing takes more time and effort than relining. However, it is a necessary repair if the dentures are damaged. Cracks in the dentures can affect the integrity of the entire appliance, which will likewise affect their fit and comfort.
Most often, patients accidentally drop their dentures while cleaning them. This can crack the base or sometimes snap the appliance into multiple pieces. If this happens, the patient may attempt to fix the dentures themselves with glue. Dentists recommend against this because consumer glues can be toxic or cause irritation. Patients should always go to a dentist to get their dentures properly repaired.
If a patient notices any discomfort or sore spots caused by their dentures, their dentist might recommend an adjustment. Denture adjustments can be functional, cosmetic, or both.
An adjustment could include various changes. The dentist can reshape, resize, or reangle parts of the denture to make it more comfortable. Adjustments can also include minor repairs, such as fixing fractures or replacing missing teeth.
Dentists cannot always fix the damage. Sometimes, a patient’s dentures are broken beyond repair, or their mouth shape has changed too much for adjustments to accommodate.
A complete denture replacement may be necessary to protect the patient’s comfort and oral health. Denture replacement can be expensive, so dentists will only recommend it as a last resort.
When your dentures are damaged or do not comfortably fit your mouth, do not try to fix them yourself. Let your dentist know right away!
Here at Simply Smiles Dentistry, our friendly staff is happy to help. If you need denture repairs or adjustments, reach out today to schedule an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.simplysmilesdentist.com or call Simply Smiles Dentistry at (520) 368-3351 for an appointment in our Tucson office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Denture Adjustments and Repairs in Tucson, AZ.
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