Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? A Dentist Says Yes.

When you’ve had a denture for a long time, the last thing on your mind is wondering what you would do if it were to break or get lost. When you do experience that moment where you realize the teeth have become chipped or a large crack has started to form, you may be wondering if it requires attention or not. According to dentists, a broken denture is absolutely a dental emergency that should be addressed right away!

Causes for Broken Dentures

Dentures can easily break when they are dropped into a sink without a towel or get chewed up by a family pet, but these examples are actually far less common than you’d think. The reality is most dentures end up becoming damaged from regular wear and tear. Wearing and using the denture as well as keeping it clean can cause it to experience a lot of stress. External factors such as exposure to very hot and cold foods can also lead it to weakening over time.

In the event your denture does break, you should know where to turn to so it can be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

What to Do Next

Start by getting in touch with the dentist that you received the denture from. That way, you can schedule an appointment with them to examine the denture as well as your mouth. Most dentists would not recommend using a denture repair kit as they don’t work very well and can even cause harm to the mouth if the denture doesn’t fit properly. This is due to the denture shifting inside the mouth while in use. Attempting to repair the denture yourself can also hurt your chances of getting it repaired by the dentist you got it from.

Your Options for Handling a Broken Denture

The nature of the damage will largely affect whether or not the denture can be repaired. For example, a denture with a damaged or missing tooth can easily be repaired, but it may require a second appointment to get it done. If the damage is minor enough, it may even be fixable the same day you visit the dentist. However, more severe breaks (such as the denture breaking in half entirely), will require a full replacement.

A broken denture may not seem like a big deal, but it can have major implications for both your oral and overall health. That’s why the moment it becomes damaged, you should call a dentist as soon as possible!

About the Author

Dr. Bita Kamali has nearly 20 years of experience providing Plano families comprehensive general, preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry. This includes complex tooth replacements like dentures, all of which are highly customized to last and fit comfortably. If your denture has broken in some way or does not fit as it should, you can contact her through her website.