If you are a denture wearer, you will probably need a denture repair at some point. A broken denture can be very unsettling. It prevents a person from doing some of the most basic things, like eating and talking to others. There is an ongoing debate whether it is advisable to DIY a broken denture. But it seems that home denture repair is on a case-to-case basis, and there are situations wherein using a denture repair kit can be a lifesaver.
Tips when repairing broken dentures at home
In what situations can dentures be fixed at home? Consider doing a DIY in cases when a visit to the dentist cannot be done immediately. They can be done if a patient is on a trip, before a big event, or during calamities when immediate dental care is not accessible. Here are some tips when choosing to DIY broken dentures.
Use an appropriate adhesive
Some tend to use superglue readily available in their homes or found in hardware stores to put a cracked denture together out of desperation to get it fixed immediately. While it may get the job done, toxic ingredients can irritate gums and pose health risks. The dentist who will eventually repair the denture will find removing the superglue challenging. It will be difficult to replace it with an appropriate adhesive. The result might be a complete replacement of the denture device.
Keep a denture repair kit
With proper instructions, dentures can be repaired at home without professional help, using a denture repair kit. These kits can be bought in local drug stores, specialty stores, and online shops. Each kit may contain medical-grade adhesive, plastic teeth veneers, thermal relining beads, or a disk denture reliner. There are different types of denture repair kits depending on what is broken. It is a good idea to purchase a multipurpose repair kit to address different repair needs. This is especially useful when traveling.
Do not throw them away
Old, chipped, and broken dentures might be more useful than most people think. With a little DIY repair, they can serve as a temporary replacement or a backup if the current one gets damaged. A spare denture can be used temporarily until dental professionals repair the current one. To store them long-term for future use, patients should keep them in a clean container with water and keep the lid tightly sealed. It is a good idea to keep them in a cool area and never place them near anything hot or under the sun to prevent the material from warping and losing its shape.
When to see a dentist
Deciding to DIY a broken denture also depends on the type of denture and the severity of the damage. In any case, home denture repairs should be a temporary fix, and the end goal is to have it checked and repaired professionally at the dental clinic. Sometimes, the severity of the damage cannot be remedied by denture repair kits, and they need to be replaced by the dentist. If the dentures keep on dismantling and cause discomfort, it is a sign to have them checked and possibly replaced by the dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.drkarolineasbell.com or call Karoline Asbell, DDS PA at (561) 225-2063 for an appointment in our Boca Raton office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dentures and Partial Dentures in Boca Raton, FL.
Related Posts
What You Need to Know About Partial Dentures
An article by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare states that more than 18 million people wear partial dentures. Anyone who has been considering getting partials to improve their speech, ability to chew, and …
Getting Dentures to Replace Missing Teeth
If you are missing one or more teeth, you have several tooth replacement options from which to choose. One such option is dentures. Though dentures are no longer the preferred tooth …
What Your Dentist Wants You to Know About Adjusting to New Dentures
Adjusting to new dentures can take a few weeks, but once a patient has adjusted, it is easier to eat and smile with confidence. For those who have had tooth loss …
When Would a Dentist Recommend Replacing Old Dentures?
Millions of Americans and people worldwide have lost a tooth or teeth, many of whom opt to get dentures made. Tooth loss can occur due to an accident or injury, disease …