At Home Denture Repair Tips

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.gearydental.com or call Geary Dental Center at (415) 702-1310 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.

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