Broken denture? What to do right now
It happens to almost everyone who wears a denture, usually at the worst moment. The good news is that most breaks can be repaired, often the same day. Here is what to do.
1. Take it out
A broken denture can have sharp edges that cut your cheeks, tongue or gums, and a loose piece could be swallowed. Take it out and leave it out until it is fixed.
2. Gather every piece
Collect all the pieces, even tiny chips and any tooth that came off. The more of the original we have, the better the repair and the closer it will fit.
- Put everything in a clean bag or small box
- Keep the pieces together so nothing gets lost
- Do not try to push the pieces back together
3. Do not glue it
Household glue is not safe to put in your mouth, and it almost never lines the pieces up exactly. Even a tiny step in the join changes how the denture sits, and the glue then has to be cleaned out before a proper repair. Bring it in as it is.
4. Get it repaired
A denture repair is done with the same acrylic your denture is made from, cured in a lab so it is strong again. At our Motherwell clinic the lab is right behind reception, so most repairs are ready in under an hour while you wait.