As you once depended on your natural teeth, you need your dentures to eat, speak, and smile with ease each day. If you ever end up with a broken denture, it can be difficult to function normally. There are many ways dentures can become damaged, and it’s a valid reason to pay your emergency dentist in Harrisonburg a visit.
Read on to learn how a denture can break, what you should do, and how it can be repaired.
What Are Common Causes for a Denture to Break?
- Poor fit: If your dentures don’t fit as they should, this can cause discomfort and other issues, even if they aren’t technically “broken.” This usually happens because of bone loss.
- Improper usage: When you aren’t taking the right precautions, your dentures probably won’t last as long. Pushing them to their limit will likely cause them to break in the future.
- Accidents: You can never predict when an accident or injury will occur. Dentures can be damaged by falls and other injuries.
- Wear and tear: Dentures aren’t made to last forever. They are highly durable, but if you have had them for many years, they will begin to break down and might require repairs or replacement.
What Do I Do If My Denture Breaks?
If your denture breaks or you don’t think it fits as well as it should, you should give your dentist a call and make an appointment ASAP. This way, you can get to the office right away to deal with it. Avoid using repair kits that you find over the counter. Without proper knowledge of repairing dentures, you could end up causing additional damage unintentionally.
How Can My Broken Denture Be Repaired?
Your dentist will likely make a repair recommendation based on the extent of the damage:
- Reline: This is usually the best option if your dentures haven’t been fitting properly anymore. They will reshape the underside of the denture, allowing it to fit more comfortably in your mouth.
- Replacement: If your denture has seen better days or is significantly damaged, your dentist will probably recommend that you have a new one made that will be more comfortable.
- Dental implants: If your dentist believes that you would make a good candidate, they may suggest that you consider dental implant dentures. They offer greater stability and prevent bone loss.
Don’t settle for struggling with a broken denture – call your dentist even if you only suspect something is wrong. They can examine it, identify the issue, and make the appropriate recommendation to get your smile back on track.
About the Practice
At Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our dentists are committed to three guiding goals. 1. We believe that everyone has the right to look and feel good. 2. We believe that everyone has the right to a healthy mouth. 3. We believe that we can improve the self-esteem and health of others through our work. Also, our staff has the right to a safe, positive, challenging, and rewarding career here. As a result, they provide better, more effective care to our patients. If you are interested in dentures, we offer partials, full dentures, and implant dentures. Plus, if you need help with your current dentures, we can conduct an exam and then make a recommendation on how to move forward. To schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (540) 432-6616.