Modern dentures are built to last, but they’re not indestructible. Dentures are made out of a durable acrylic material that, although strong, is still susceptible to cracks and damage. Even a seemingly minor drop onto a hard surface, such as porcelain sinks or tiled floors, or even biting into hard foods can damage or crack your dentures. No matter the size of the crack or the extent of the damage, cracked dentures are not something to be ignored. Not only can they cause pain and discomfort, but the longer you wear cracked dentures, the worse the discomfort gets and greater the chances of needing to get them replaced.
So, can cracked dentures be repaired? The short answer is yes: cracked dentures can be repaired in most cases. Let’s take a closer look at what cracks in dentures are and what do to if your dentures crack.
Repairing Cracked Dentures
Cracks are some of the most common forms of damage to dentures and can be caused by several reasons. As tough as your dentures may be, all the use they get, coupled with the occasional unintended impact or grinding, can eventually take its toll. Cracks in dentures can range from anything to minor hairline cracks along the gumline to major cracks spanning across the entire top or bottom denture. Cracks in dentures are easy to miss and, if you don’t check your dentures regularly, you likely won’t notice them until your dentures break unexpectedly — and this is where the trouble really starts.
Over time, even the smallest of cracks can slowly grow to the point where your dentures will simply split in half or break into multiple pieces when you least expect it. Of course, at this point, you’re left with little choice other than to rush to your nearest denturist. Your denturist will then assess the situation and determine whether a denture repair or a full denture replacement is needed. Fortunately, most denture repairs don’t take longer than a couple of days. Nevertheless, the longer you ignore cracked dentures, the more likely it is that you’ll need a denture replacement. So, do yourself a favor and regularly check your dentures for cracks or damage.
What to Do If Your Dentures Crack
First and foremost, you should contact a denturist and schedule an appointment the moment you notice cracks on your dentures. Until then, or if you’re not able to see a denturist right away, keep your dentures in water until you can get them repaired. While you may be tempted to continue wearing them, keep them out for as long as possible. Only wear cracked dentures if you have no other choice and avoid eating hard foods until you can get them repaired. Remember, the longer you wear cracked dentures, the more uncomfortable they’re going to get and the higher the likelihood they’ll break completely.
Whatever you do, do not try and repair dentures yourself. Even though most pharmacies carry denture repair kits, performing any type of DIY denture repair increases the risk of causing further damage. On that note, never use conventional superglue to fix your dentures. Superglue on dentures typically doesn’t last very long and can make it very difficult for the professionals to repair your dentures.
Need to Repair Your Cracked Dentures?
If you’re in the Calgary area and need to get your cracked dentures repaired, schedule an appointment with Hillhurst Denture Clinic today. We understand that accidents happen and how important your dentures are to you, so we’ll do our utmost to get your dentures repaired as quickly as possible.