Are Broken Dentures a Dental Emergency?

Despite what some people think, dental emergencies don’t necessarily have to involve pain. It’s obviously important to make dental appointments when you have a toothache or a lost crown, but damage to your oral appliance is just as critical. If your dentures are broken, it’s best to seek out professional help as soon as you can. Here’s why damage to your prosthesis constitutes a dental emergency, and what can be done about it.

Are Broken Dentures a Dental Emergency?

If you have a crack or fracture in your dentures, that definitely counts as a dental emergency. The reason you likely got dentures in the first place is that it was difficult to eat or talk without them. If you took the time to be fitted for them, then they’re important enough to fix them immediately if they break. Dentists will be happy to fit you in for an emergency appointment if your dentures are damaged.

What Should I Do if My Dentures Break?

If you notice that your oral appliance has broken, it’s important that you avoid damaging it any further. Take it out and store it in a safe place. Then, call your dentist—they’ll let you schedule an emergency appointment and tell you what to do until they can see you. If it’s after hours, you should leave a voicemail with the front desk, or you can call their emergency number if there is one.

As a side note, it’s best to refrain from using DIY denture repair kits. The issue with your dentures could get worse, making repairs more difficult. It’s best to leave restoring your dentures to a professional.

What Can Be Done About Broken Dentures?

The first thing your dentist will probably do at your appointment will be to evaluate whether your dentures can be repaired. In the case of small chips or fractures, they may even be able to fix the problem within a single appointment. In other cases, the dentures could need to be sent to a lab to be restored completely.

If the damage is severe enough, it may be necessary to completely replace the dentures. If you’ve had bone loss in your jaw, your dentist might also reline your prosthetic so it will fit correctly.

Your dentures are critical to nearly every part of your life, which is why you need to act quickly if they’ve been damaged. Your dentist would be happy to help you fix your prosthetic; if it’s damaged, don’t hesitate to give them a call.

About Our Practice

At Norwood Dental Care, we’ll use our thirty years of dental expertise to make you smile! Ever since we opened our doors, we have prided ourselves on being able to offer our patients the latest in oral medicine paired with exceptional chairside manner. We’re accepting new patients, so if you have a dental emergency, we’d be happy to get you an appointment as soon as possible. If you have any questions about broken dentures, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (781) 769-6140.