When a denture, a removable appliance designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues, becomes damaged—whether cracked, chipped, or loose—professional intervention is necessary. These prosthetic devices are crafted from specialized materials, typically acrylic resin or porcelain teeth set in a gum-colored base, and require trained expertise for repair. Attempting to fix a damaged denture yourself can lead to further breakage, improper fit, and potential health complications. Only qualified professionals should assess and manage the repair process.
Primary Professionals for Denture Repair
The first point of contact for a damaged denture is often a general dentist, who provides comprehensive care and is equipped to assess the issue and prescribe the necessary repairs. General dentists handle routine adjustments and minor fixes, and they serve as the gatekeepers for more complex restorative procedures. If the damage is extensive or the case involves complex oral health factors, the patient may be referred to a prosthodontist.
Prosthodontists are dental specialists who have completed three additional years of advanced training focused entirely on the restoration and replacement of missing teeth and jaw structures, including dentures. They possess a higher level of expertise for complex denture repairs, full-mouth reconstructions, and issues involving the fit and function of the prosthesis. Both general dentists and prosthodontists manage the clinical assessment, ensuring the mouth is healthy before a repair is performed, and provide the specific instructions for the technical work.
Another group of professionals who directly service dentures are denturists, though their legal scope of practice varies significantly by state or country. In jurisdictions where they are licensed, denturists are trained specifically to design, construct, repair, and alter removable dentures and can often work directly with the patient without a dentist’s prescription. They are skilled in performing relines and repairs, making them a direct resource for denture wearers. For most people, however, the process begins with their primary dental care provider, who ensures the repair is correctly diagnosed and managed.
The Role of Dental Laboratories in Repairs
While the dentist or specialist provides the clinical assessment, the actual technical repair work is typically performed by a specialized dental laboratory technician. This is because the process involves intricate material science, such as bonding acrylics or replacing teeth, requiring specific equipment and expertise not usually found in a standard dental office. Once the dental professional has taken a new impression or provided the prescription, the damaged denture is sent to the lab.
In the laboratory, technicians use materials like specialized acrylics to mend fractures, reinforce weak areas, or replace missing teeth based on the provided specifications. For minor issues, such as a simple crack or a single tooth replacement, some labs offer a same-day turnaround service, often completing the fix within a few hours. More complex procedures, like a full reline where the denture’s fitting surface is resurfaced to accommodate changes in the gums, may require one to two days in the lab. The lab’s role is purely technical, executing the clinical plan established by the dentist or prosthodontist to ensure a precise and durable outcome.
Risks of Attempting Do-It-Yourself Repairs
It can be tempting to reach for household adhesives or over-the-counter kits when a denture breaks, but attempting do-it-yourself repairs carries significant and lasting risks to oral health. Common household glues, such as superglue, are not designed for oral use and contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful if ingested. These non-biocompatible materials can also react negatively with the denture’s acrylic, causing further structural damage that makes a professional repair more difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, using non-dental materials to fix a fracture can create microscopic gaps that trap bacteria and lead to an unsanitary environment, contributing to gum infections.
A major consequence of a self-repair is the misalignment of the denture fragments, which results in a poor fit. Even a slight mismatch can create uneven pressure points on the gums, leading to painful sores, chronic irritation, and inflammation. This improper force distribution can accelerate a natural process called bone resorption, where the jawbone shrinks due to a lack of stimulation, ultimately worsening the denture’s fit and potentially causing facial changes.