What is a Denture Emergency?

Dentures offer an effective solution for people suffering from missing teeth, and while they’re relatively easy to care for, accidents are inevitable. 

Any denture problem that requires immediate treatment to stop bleeding, ease severe pain, or repair a broken prosthetic is considered a denture emergency. 

Whether your broken dentures were dropped, stepped on, or chipped, you should not attempt to wear them. Trying to insert a broken or ill-fitting denture can be incredibly painful and may cause a gum infection. 

Although running to the drugstore to grab an at-home denture repair kit may be tempting, the best course of action is to contact your denturist to get a professional denture repair done. What may start as an easy repair job can end up with you purchasing a replacement.

Common Denture Emergencies 

Over the years, dentures are bound to suffer from a little wear and tear which can be fixed with minor denture repairs. However, below are a few common denture emergencies that may require immediate denture repair solutions from your local denturist:

1. Multiple fractures
2. Dentures are broken in half
3. Chipped or broken teeth

In these scenarios, don’t attempt to wear the denture as the sharp edge left by the broken tooth could cut into your tongue and mouth tissue. 

These common denture emergencies typically require more extensive repairs.

If you’ve opted for an implant denture rather than a traditional one, there is a chance of receiving an infection around the implant. Infections should be treated immediately as they pose a significant threat to the health of your gums and jawbone.

What Causes Common Denture Emergencies

The same situations that chip natural teeth can also damage your artificial ones. Biting hard on something or having a ball hit your face can knock a tooth loose or chip it. However, oftentimes there are some damages that happen specifically for denture wearers based on the prosthetic material:

1. General wear and tear over time will cause your dentures to lose strength and eventually break.
2. Factors such as sudden temperature changes from hot or cold foods.
3. A poor fit against the gums.  
4. Dropping your dentures from large heights.

What to Do in Case of a Denture Emergency

It can be incredibly frustrating when you have broken dentures, as daily tasks like chewing and talking become exceedingly harder.

The first thing you should do when you suspect you have broken dentures is to inspect the prosthetic. Some things to look out for are a broken tooth, a missing piece of the pink acrylic base, and cracks. Any broken pieces should be kept in a plastic bag and brought to your appointment. 

If you feel any discomfort when wearing the denture, check to see if there is any visible swelling or inflammation. Do not try to fix the denture yourself using super glue as it can damage the appliance further. 

Instead, remain calm and contact your denturist for emergency denture repair services. Most emergency services involve repairing your prosthetic the same day you bring it in. An oral check-up will also be conducted to make sure everything is ok. 

Emergency Denture Repair Services At Belleville Denture Clinic

Dentures give you a second chance to have a beautiful, white smile. Unfortunately, there may be a time when your denture unexpectedly breaks. 

Knowing how to respond to denture emergencies will help you keep your prosthetic and mouth in tip-top shape for years to come. 

Based on the severity of the damage, our expert denturists will determine whether rebasing or relining repair services are required. If the appliance has sustained too many cracks, a full replacement may be needed. 
If you are experiencing a denture emergency and need a denture repair solution ASAP, do not hesitate to contact us today.