Denture Plate Repair

Used to replace missing teeth, dentures are a safe and effective way to give the wearer a better smile and bite. Although they are strong, average long-term wear, ill fit and dropping can all cause damage to a denture plate. A prosthodontist specializes in the creation and repair of dentures. They should never be altered by a person who is not specially trained to do so.

Who Repairs Dentures?

• A prosthodontist is a dentist who is trained for an additional two to three years after dental school. These dentists specialize in the replacement and restoration of missing or injured teeth. The tissues of the mouth are very delicate, and trying to do self-repair on dentures can cause permanent damage. A broken denture plate should always be taken to a dentist as soon as possible.

After a Denture Breaks

• When a denture breaks, a dentist may not be immediately available. Temporary repair kits are available at many pharmacies and superstores. These kits provide a strong bonding agent that is mixed at home and applied to the break. This fix is considered safe for short-term use only. It lets the wearer have teeth until he can make an appointment with a dentist.

Dentist Versus Denture Lab

• If the wearer's dentures were sent off-site from the dentist's office to be created, they may need to be sent off-site for repair. Many dentists offer a temporary or emergency denture for this scenario. Some dentists do immediate repairs in their office or lab. Denture labs employ personnel on-site to create dentures and make repairs. Denture labs do not generally do work beyond the removal and replacement of teeth, although there are exceptions. A denture lab will more likely be able to do same-day turnaround on repairs.

Repairing the Denture Plate

• The denture plate will be checked against the mold that was taken of the wearer's mouth during creation. As a poor fit is a common cause for breakage, adjustments may need to be made to the plate to ensure it will not break again. After the resin is heated, any cracks or breaks will be smoothed over. The damage will not usually be visible, and the denture will appear as though it had never broken. If a tooth has broken off, it will be added back to the plate and smoothed out.

After Repairs Are Made

• If the break is believed to be due to stress from poor fit, a relining may be done. A thick layer of soft gel-like material will be placed over the denture, which will then be placed in the wearer's mouth. After a few moments to take shape, the denture will be removed, and the excess material will be scraped away. The thickening will create a tighter fit that is less likely to break again. The denture may be uncomfortable for a few days until the mouth adjusts.