A pair of dentures is an investment in a healthy, natural-looking smile. If a patient's set breaks, it may seem tempting to try to perform an at-home repair. However, this is not a wise idea, and it can cause additional problems.
Dentures need to be professionally fitted to a patient. If they break, a professional re-fitting is needed after repair to ensure any needed adjustments can be made. Attempting to self-repair dentures can also cause problems for the patient and the prosthetics themselves.
Some patients turn to glue or similar agents to repair their dentures. However, these glues can cause serious irritation in the mouth, as they are not designed for oral use. Doing a denture self-repair with glue can sometimes cause an unpleasant taste, and some glues can be toxic.
These prosthetics are delicate and can be easily broken. If someone without training attempts to make a repair, they may accidentally break the dentures further. In some cases, a DIY repair can even ruin a set completely.
To function like natural teeth, dentures must be very closely fitted to a patient's gums. Even if a patient succeeds at a temporary at-home fix, the prosthetics may no longer fit properly. A set of dentures that fits too loosely may fall out at inopportune times, while a too-tight-fitting set can cause painful gum irritation.
Attempting to fix dentures at home is not a good idea. If a patient damages their dental prosthetics, it is important to contact a dental office as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are a few other precautions to take.
If dentures break, it is important to double-check to make sure all missing parts have been found. If they break after being dropped on the ground, it is possible for bits of the denture or wiring to scatter. Patients should thoroughly search the area where the dentures were broken to ensure all parts have been accounted for.
Even if it is physically possible to do so, patients should not try to wear damaged dentures. Doing so can both irritate the mouth and further damage the set. Before taking dentures in for repair, patients should make sure they are stored in a protective case or soaking in a denture-specific solution. If the prosthetics normally need to be soaked overnight to retain shape, patients should keep them soaking if possible.
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Broken dentures can be inconvenient and upsetting, and some patients may be tempted to try a DIY fix to remedy the problem immediately. However, to avoid further damage, patients with a broken pair should reach out to a dental office as soon as they can.
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