Teeth go through a lot of wear and tear every day. And considering that your dentures are not as tough as your natural teeth, they are more prone to damage from accidents or biting down on certain foods.
Moreover, dentures become increasingly susceptible to cracking and breaking with age, despite following proper denture care guidelines for cleaning and storing them.
Walk-in denture repairs and annual checkups for dentures serve different purposes and are needed in different situations. While most denture problems can be prevented through annual check-ups, you might need immediate denture repair services to quickly restore your damaged false teeth.
While recent advancements in technology have made dentures more comfortable and durable than ever, they are still prone to damage and breaking.
Some reasons why dentures break include:
- They were not a perfect fit to begin with
- Loss of bone in the jaw – since you no longer have the roots of your original teeth, you will gradually lose bone in your jaw. Your facial structure will also change, causing the dentures to become ill fitting. Failure to get them replaced as recommended (every 7 years) could lead to embarrassing damage.
Once the denture material begins to wear out, biting into a hard substance that is usually not a problem could cause one of the denture teeth to crack or break. This could also happen when chewing if the denture does not fit well.
Additionally, ill-fitting dentures may accidentally fall out of the mouth, or drop to the ground when cleaning, causing them to crack or break.
How are dentures repaired?
Dentures can be repaired through a process called denture repair or denture reline, depending on the type and extent of damage.
The common methods used to repair dentures are:
1. Denture Reline
Denture reline is a procedure that involves reshaping the surface of the denture to improve its fit and comfort. Over time, as the jawbone and gum tissues change, dentures may become loose or ill-fitting.
Denture reline involves adding new material to the fitting surface of the denture to compensate for these changes and restore proper fit and function.
This procedure is typically performed in a dental laboratory, and the denture may need to be left with the dental professional for a few hours or days, depending on the specific case.
2. Denture Rebasing
Denture rebasing is a more extensive repair process that involves replacing the entire acrylic base of the denture while retaining the existing teeth.
This is necessary when the denture base becomes worn, cracked, or damaged beyond repair. During the rebasing process, the dental professional takes an impression of the oral tissues and creates a new acrylic base that fits precisely with the existing teeth.
This procedure requires more time and may involve multiple visits to the dental office.
3. Denture Repair
Denture repair is performed when a denture breaks, fractures, or experiences damage in specific areas. Common issues include broken denture teeth, cracked denture base, or damaged clasps.
The repair process involves bonding the broken pieces together or replacing the damaged components. In some cases, the repair can be done in the dental office during a single visit, while more complex repairs may require the denture to be sent to a dental laboratory.
It is important to note that denture repairs should be done by a qualified dental professional. DIY denture repair kits or home remedies are not recommended, as they can lead to further damage and compromise the function and fit of the dentures.
Walk-in denture repair
If your dentures need repair, it is best to contact your dentist or denturist as soon as possible. They will assess the extent of the damage and recommend the appropriate repair method.
Timely repairs are essential to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your dentures, allowing you to maintain proper oral function and a confident smile.
A Walk-in could be necessary for:
1. Emergencies
Walk-in denture repairs are necessary in case of emergencies such as a denture fracture, chipped tooth, or a broken clasp. These situations require immediate attention to restore the functionality and comfort of the denture.
2. Acute discomfort
If your denture causes acute discomfort, sore spots, or irritation, a walk-in denture repair can help address the issue promptly. This may involve adjustments to the denture’s fit, relining to improve comfort, or replacing damaged components.
3. Quick fixes
Walk-in denture repairs are suitable for minor repairs or adjustments that can be resolved on the same day. It allows you to get your denture fixed without the need for scheduling a separate appointment.
Annual Checkups for Dentures
Annual routine checkups for dentures are recommended to ensure the overall health and condition of your dentures. It involves a thorough examination of the dentures, oral tissues, and supporting structures to identify any potential issues.
These checkups are great for preventive care as they help detect early signs of denture-related problems such as deterioration, wear and tear, or changes in fit. Addressing these issues early can prevent further complications and improve the longevity of the dentures.
Some of the things that denture wearers should expect from an annual visit to their dental hygienist include:
1. A thorough examination of your gums and tissues
Wearing dentures can exert extra pressure on the surrounding gums and bone structure, causing gradual but continuing resorption and bone loss. Pressure is also exerted on any original teeth used to support partial dentures. So, it is important that dentures and tissues be examined annually to prevent and minimise tissue inflammation or irritated gums, and reduce tissue or bone loss.
2. Checking the fit of your dentures
Dentures are not self-adjusting. Overtime, wearing of the teeth from chewing, discoloration of the materials, and changes to tissue will affect the fit, comfort, and appearance of your dentures. At the check-up, your denturist will assess the fit of the dentures, the function of the dentures, and the health of the tissue surrounding the dentures to ensure that the dentures are not loose due to changes in your mouth.
3. Professional cleansing of your dentures
Annual checkups often include professional cleaning of the dentures to remove plaque, tartar, and stains that has build-up on the false teeth. This not only makes daily cleaning of your dentures easier – to help maintain a dazzling smile, but also lengthens the life of your dentures. It’s necessary for maintaining the denture’s hygiene and ensures optimal oral health.
4. Keeping the denture in good adjustment
Unadjusted dentures can cause an improper bite resulting in jaw function alteration. Timely check-ups help to maintain proper relationship between the jaws, and thus prevent the appearance of premature ageing and continue your good appearance.
5. Review of your medical history
Your dental hygienist will also review your medical history to ensure that there are no medical conditions that may affect your treatment. Annual checkups provide an opportunity for the dentist to assess the overall oral health, including the condition of the gums, bone, and remaining natural teeth, as well as for oral cancer screening. This comprehensive evaluation helps identify any potential underlying issues that may affect denture function or fit.
Generally, annual dental check-ups help to maintain healthy oral tissues, resulting in optimum comfort, function, and appearance of long-term denture wearers.
Broken denture repair cost
There are two ways to get your dentures repaired professionally:
- take them to your dentist or
- to a laboratory.
Visiting your dentist is the most cautious option, since they can examine the broken pieces to determine whether or not you need an impression to help in either repairing or relining the denture.
Sending them directly to a laboratory will get them repaired at a lower cost, but they cannot change the fit. Additionally, you will have to put them in your mouth yourself without the assistance of a dentist, which could be risky considering that new dentures could need some minor adjustments to fit properly.
It will cost you more, but it is better to get your dentures repaired by a dentist. Simple repairs for broken dentures are usually done on the same day, but reline procedures may take more than 24 hours. As a result, simple repairs may cost between $100 and $200, relining will be more expensive at $300 to $500.
Final Thoughts
If you wear complete or partial dentures, you should know how important it is to follow the personal oral health care program that you develop together with your oral health care professional.
But just as important is scheduling an annual check-up with your denturist to help maintain or improve your dental health, and keep your dentures in good condition. And for your own comfort and convenience, it’s important to find emergency walk-in denture repairs near you.
