Dentures are synthetic prosthetic teeth designed to replace missing natural teeth. They restore chewing ability, speech, facial structure, and overall appearance.  People who are  always conscious about their appearance, dentures help them to smile more confidently.  Usually dentures are fixed and are not broken easily but if due to any accident or during cleaning they break or fall then you need to get them fixed.

Now if you are thinking about fixing your dentures then you need to realize that dentures problems need professional help and can not be fixed at home.  Although for any emergency they may be temporarily handled at home. However, fixing dentures with professional help is the safest way to handle broken ones. If you are a resident of Rawalpindi\Islamabad then you have dental experts at your door step in Reliance hospital Rawalpindi.

Now, here is a guide that will help you know what to do or what to avoid when your dentures are broken or damaged.

What Should You Do If Your Dentures Break?

Cracked or loose dentures can make the basic task of eating very difficult and uncomfortable. This can cause uneasiness but you can take the following steps to prevent further damage.

Here's what you should do immediately:

1. Remove your dentures carefully.

If your dentures are cracked, broken, or causing discomfort, remove them gently. Do not use excessive force as it can cause more damage to dentures and can injure gums and other oral tissues. However, if you can’t take them off see the professional immediately to avoid any further damage to your oral tissues.

2. Collect all the broken pieces.

If your dentures have broken then try collecting pieces and take them to your dentist for a quick fix.

3. Avoid trying to force the pieces together.

If the dentures are broken then don’t try to fix them at home with glue or anything they will cause more harm then benefit. It may worsen the damage.

4. Contact your dentist.A dentist can assess the damage and determine whether your dentures can be repaired or need replacement.  Then depending upon the condition dentist can devise a plan to restore or replace.

How to Fix Broken Dentures

Depending upon the condition of dentures there can be the following options.

1. Denture Repair

Visiting a dentist is the safest option to repair the broken dentures because dentists can identify the problem and can repair accordingly depending on the extent of  damage.

Depending on the damage, a dentist may repair the acrylic base, reattach a tooth, arrange laboratory work, or recommend a replacement.  If you are a resident of Bahria Town\ Rawalpindi then Dr. Ayesha  at Reliance Hospital can help you get your dentures repaired.

2. Temporary fix

If you cannot visit a dentist immediately then you might consider a denture repair kit.Some products are specifically designed for temporary denture repairs. However, they are not suitable for every type of damage.Choose a product specifically intended for denture repair.Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and never use the product if its instructions do not cover your type of damage. Finally, arrange a dental appointment as soon as possible  even if a temporary repair appears successful.

3. Denture’s adjustment

Sometimes dentures start irritating because they get loose with the change of gum or jawbone shape. These dentures do not need repair but adjusting and realigning is required . If you are a resident of Twin cities then DR. Lt Col Rizwan Qureshi at Reliance Hospital with experience of 20+ years can help you get the best treatment.

What You Should Never Do When Fixing Dentures

1. Never Use Household Superglue or Gorilla Glue

These adhesives are not designed for oral use. These glues may contain chemicals that are dangerous for the body. They are not safe or meant to repair the broken dentures and should not be used in any case. In case of emergencies you can only use the products specifically made for the dentures repair. If you don’t have any, go to the dentist immediately.

If you have already applied household glue, do not wear the denture or attempt to remove hardened adhesive with solvents. Contact your dentist for professional advice.

2. Never Use Boiling Water

 You should never use boiling water  because dentures are commonly made from materials such as acrylic resin, which can be damaged or distorted by excessive heat. This can change the shape of your denture. Consequently, your denture may become loose or starts irritating. For cleaning purposes use the temperature advised by your dentist and try not to exceed the temperature limits.

3. Do not Force Broken Pieces Together

Once a denture is cracked or broken you should not try to force its pieces together. This can only result in further damage or misalignment. It will only worsen the damage and may result in irritation and discomfort. Collect all the pieces, transfer them into a sealed bag and take them to your dentist immediately. Leave the fixing to your dentist. They will know better what to do with the pieces.

4. Don’t wear Damaged Dentures

A broken denture may have sharp edges and can cause further damage to the oral health by injuring tissues or gums. Bleeding gums can lead to other serious problems, to avoid all these issues it is important that you should never wear the damaged or cracked dentures. Talk to your dentist about your dentures condition and if he advises to continue using them you can . Otherwise it is better to take them off.

Final statement

Dentures are important for eating, smiling etc. These help people look more confident but in case of cracked dentures one need to consult the dentist immediately. Taking care of dentures at home can worsen the condition. Professional help is required to repair, replace or adjust the dentures. Reliance hospital dentistry department provides the best dental care in twin cities.