What is the Process of Denture Repair?
Are you the proud owner of dentures that have seen better days? Are they cracked, broken or chipped and in need of repair? You might think that this is a problem that requires you to visit your dentist, however it’s actually quite easy to make simple repairs at home. In this blog post we’ll take a look at how exactly denture repairs are performed so you can get back to having your perfect smile!
Denture Repairs
The Type Of Damage
There is more than one type of denture damage. Denture teeth can chip or come out of the denture, the base of the denture can break, cracks can develop, and more. The type of denture damage will determine how your dentures are repaired. Denture teeth can be individually repaired and replaced, as can denture base breaks. Typically, mild denture repairs can be completed quickly and you can have your dentures back on the same day. More severe damage may take longer, but these denture repairs will also be fairly quick if your denturist makes their dentures in-house.
- Mild Damage
If the base (which is the part of the denture that looks like your gums) breaks, it will need to be relined and set into place. Your denturist will clean off the dentures and use an adhesive to repair the break. Sometimes your denturist may need to remove a bit of the existing material to place a better, stronger adhesive on the dentures. This can be done on the base, but if a denture tooth comes out, some parts of the gum surrounding the tooth may also be removed and replaced. If the denture teeth only have a small crack or chip, they can be repaired without needing to be replaced.
- Severe Damage
If your denture is fully split, if pieces of your denture are missing, or if denture teeth are damaged to the point that they can’t be salvaged, you will need more extensive denture repairs. A mold will be made of your mouth and the denturist will make a new denture base or tooth, depending on the damage. But this doesn’t mean you need to get an entirely new denture; your denturist will use the undamaged teeth from your existing dentures so that costs are minimized.
- Relines And Rebases
Two common forms of denture repairs are relines and rebases. A denture rebase is when the denture base has to be replaced. While this is sometimes due to severe damage, it can also be necessary if dentures become warped, which typically occurs if the dentures are left out of water overnight. Denture relines are an adjustment to the denture that ensures proper denture fit. A denture reline may be needed if dentures get dropped and no longer fit quite right, but denture relines are often needed as your mouth naturally changes shape over time.
All in all, denture repairs are a common and straightforward procedure. If you find that your dentures need some attention, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment. Our skilled professionals will have you looking and feeling great in no time!