A cracked or broken denture can make it difficult to eat, speak, and go about your normal routine. Even a small crack can weaken the appliance and may worsen if you continue wearing it. If your denture has suddenly cracked, fractured, or broken, Lakeside Dental in Folsom can assess the damage and help you decide the best next step.
Why a Professional Evaluation Is Beneficial
Dentures are designed to withstand the forces of normal eating and speaking, but they can still be damaged. A denture may crack after being dropped, biting something unexpectedly hard, or experiencing repeated stress over time. Changes in denture fit can also place uneven pressure on the appliance.
Continuing to wear a cracked denture can worsen the damage. A rough or fractured edge may also rub against the gums, cheeks, or tongue, causing irritation or injury.
Having a damaged denture professionally evaluated can help:
- Determine the location and extent of the crack.
- Identify sharp or rough areas that could injure your mouth.
- Determine whether the denture can be repaired.
- Evaluate whether changes in fit contributed to the damage.
- Determine whether replacement may be more appropriate than repair.
- Help restore comfortable eating and speaking as soon as practical.
Do not wait for a small crack to become a complete fracture. Contact Lakeside Dental at (916) 983-8870 if you notice a crack or sudden change in the stability of your denture.
When Are Cracked Dentures a Dental Emergency?
A hairline crack in a denture that doesn’t cause pain may not be as urgent as a knocked-out tooth, uncontrolled bleeding, or a severe infection. However, a damaged denture can still require prompt dental attention, particularly when it interferes with normal function or injures your mouth.
Contact an emergency dentist in Folsom promptly if:
- Your denture suddenly breaks into multiple pieces.
- A cracked denture has a sharp edge that is cutting your gums, cheek, or tongue.
- You develop significant pain, sores, or bleeding while wearing the denture.
- The denture becomes unstable and cannot be worn safely or comfortably.
- The damage leaves you unable to eat or function normally.
- The denture broke during an accident that also injured your teeth, gums, or jaw.
- You have swelling, severe pain, or other symptoms suggesting an additional oral health problem.
If your denture breaks during an accident, the appliance may not be the only concern. Injuries to remaining teeth, gums, soft tissues, or the jaw may also need evaluation.
Call Lakeside Dental at (916) 983-8870, and our team can help determine whether you need a same-day or emergency appointment.
Home Care With Cracked Dentures
If your denture cracks, avoid forcing the appliance back into place or continuing to wear it if doing so causes pain. A sharp or unstable denture can irritate or injure the soft tissues inside your mouth. Until you are able to see your dentist:
- Remove the denture if wearing it causes pain or tissue irritation.
- Keep all pieces of a broken denture together and bring them to your appointment.
- Handle the appliance carefully to avoid causing additional damage.
- Keep the denture clean as your dentist instructs.
- Choose softer foods if chewing is uncomfortable.
- Monitor your gums for sores, cuts, swelling, or bleeding.
Avoid attempting to repair the denture with household glue or other products not intended for professional dental repair. A do-it-yourself repair can interfere with the appliance’s fit, complicate professional repair, or expose your mouth to unsuitable materials.
After your dentist professionally repairs or replaces your denture, follow their instructions for cleaning, handling, and ongoing care. If the appliance begins to feel loose or uncomfortable again, schedule an evaluation before additional damage occurs.
What You Can Expect
When you come in to the Lakeside Dental office for your appointment, you can expect the following:
- We will discuss what happened and whether the denture is causing pain, rubbing, or cutting your gums, or if you can no longer wear it comfortably.
- We will examine the denture, your gums, and oral tissues.
- Treatment is recommended depending on the type and extent of damage. A severely damaged, repeatedly repaired, or poorly fitting denture may require a different approach than an appliance with a limited repairable fracture.
Our goal as your trusted emergency dentist in Folsom is to relieve discomfort, prevent further damage, and determine the safest and most effective way to restore the function and fit of your denture.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of addressing a cracked denture depends on the extent of the damage and whether the appliance can be repaired. The type of denture, its condition, fit, and whether additional treatment is necessary can also affect the total cost.
Because every damaged denture is different, an examination is the best way to determine the appropriate treatment. After evaluating your denture, our Lakeside Dental office team can discuss your options and estimate the cost for your chosen procedure. We also offer financing and payment plans for those that qualify.
If your cracked denture is causing significant pain or injury to your mouth, call (916) 983-8870 rather than delaying evaluation because you are uncertain about cost.
Cracked Dentures FAQs
Is a cracked denture a dental emergency?
Not every denture crack requires immediate emergency treatment, but prompt evaluation is recommended. Seek urgent dental care if the denture is causing pain, cutting your mouth, has broken significantly, or can no longer be worn safely or comfortably.
Can I keep wearing my dentures if they are cracked?
Continuing to wear a damaged denture may worsen the crack and can irritate your gums or other oral tissues. If the denture feels unstable, has a sharp edge, or causes discomfort, remove it and contact your dentist for guidance.
Can a cracked denture be repaired?
Some cracked or broken dentures can be repaired, but whether repair is appropriate depends on the location and extent of the damage, the condition of the appliance, and how well it fits. A dentist should evaluate the denture before determining the best option.
Can I glue my broken dentures back together?
Avoid using household glue or attempting a permanent repair yourself. Home repairs can change how the pieces fit together, potentially complicate professional repair, and may introduce materials that are not appropriate for use in your mouth.
What should I do if my denture breaks in half?
Remove the denture and keep all of the pieces together. Do not force the pieces back together or attempt to glue them. Contact Lakeside Dental at (916) 983-8870 and bring all portions of the damaged appliance to your appointment.
What if my cracked denture is cutting my gums?
Remove the denture if you can do so safely and wearing it is causing injury. A sharp edge can continue to damage the gums, cheek, or tongue. Contact an emergency dentist in Folsom for prompt evaluation, particularly if you have significant pain or bleeding.
Can a cracked denture be fixed the same day?
Whether a denture can be repaired the same day depends on the type and extent of the damage and the services required. Contact Lakeside Dental at (916) 983-8870 and describe the problem so the team can discuss appointment availability and the next step.
Why did my denture suddenly crack?
Dentures can crack because of accidental drops, biting forces, wear over time, or changes in fit that create uneven stress. An evaluation can help determine whether repairing the crack is sufficient or whether the fit and overall condition of the denture also need to be addressed.
A cracked denture can quickly interfere with eating, speaking, and everyday comfort. Instead of attempting a temporary repair at home or continuing to wear an appliance that hurts, have the damage professionally evaluated.
For urgent denture problems, call Lakeside Dental at (916) 983-8870. If your cracked or broken denture is causing pain, injuring your mouth, or preventing normal function, ask about an appointment with an emergency dentist in Folsom.
