What To Do When Your Dentures Break
Posted on: 24 January 2015
If you are chewing your favorite piece of fruit, and suddenly feel one of the teeth on your dentures break, you may enter panic mode. While the first step should be to call your dentist, this isn't always possible. You might be on a business trip and your dentist like Jeffrey S. Thaller DMD isn't nearby, or it is over the weekend or a holiday when they aren't available. In this case, here are some tips for what you can do if the dentures break.
Repair Them With Epoxy
If it was the entire denture piece that split in half, instead of simply a tooth that is partially broken, you can use epoxy to fix it. Of course, this is a temporary fix, but it will allow them to last at least until you can see a dentist. Epoxy has the ability to hold two pieces of plastic together. You can get epoxy from hardware stores and craft stores, which works like a glue. Follow the directions on the package to apply it correctly. Once it dries, you will be able to wear your dentures until your dentist can make you a new pair.
Also remember to use a fine-grit sandpaper after applying the epoxy to the dentures. When you use any type of fast-drying adhesive, there may be some rough edges caused by the glue, which can cause irritation in your mouth. To avoid this, sand the area down with the fine-grit sandpaper after the epoxy dries, then dust it off and rinse it before placing it in your mouth.
Use a Denture Repair Kit
If you don't have epoxy or don't feel comfortable using this method, you can get a denture repair kit at your local drug store. These kits come with everything you need to make basic and temporary repairs to broken dentures. They not only help when the entire denture has broken, but if a tooth has cracked or fallen out. These kits include the sanding and adhesive tools you need, along with a strong glue, and acrylic teeth if any have broken out of your dentures. These are meant for temporary use, so you still need to make an appointment with your dentist for permanent fixes.
Order an Acrylic Tooth
You may be able to get to the dentist before you are able to order an acrylic tooth, but if you're out of town, this might be a better option. They don't function like real teeth, but are good when one of the teeth from your dentures has broken off and you simply can't get the repair kit to work. Order an acrylic tooth based on the measurements of the broken tooth and use super glue or epoxy to attach it to the denture base.
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