A denture can crack, break or lose an artificial tooth. Sometimes the damage occurs suddenly due to a fall. Sometimes a fracture is the end point of a process that has been going on for some time, such as a changed fit, wear or an uneven bite.
Important: Do not glue a broken denture yourself. First, the cause of the break must be assessed. Otherwise, the same fracture may recur or the fit may deteriorate further.
What types of damage occur?
- a hairline crack in the pink plastic;
- a complete break into two or more parts;
- a loose artificial tooth or molar;
- a broken edge;
- a broken or bent bracket of a partial denture;
- a crack around a snap, locator, clip, or bar assembly;
- wear or loosening of fastening parts of a implant-retained removable denture;
- a denture deformed by heat or improper storage.
The most common causes
1. Fall or impact
Synthetic resin is strong, but not unbreakable. A prosthesis that falls on a tiled floor, stone sink or table edge can immediately break. Even a small fall can cause an invisible crack that later becomes larger.
2. An altered fit
The toothless jaw continues to shrink. The prosthesis remains the same size and therefore receives less support in some places. During chewing it can then bend or tilt very slightly. Over time, this repetitive strain can cause a tear, often around the center of an upper denture or in thin areas.
3. An uneven bite
If some artificial teeth make contact earlier than others, the chewing force is not distributed equally. A complete denture lies loosely on the mucous membrane and must therefore be loaded as evenly as possible. Disruptive contact can cause the prosthesis to tilt and locally overload it.
4. Wear and material aging
A prosthesis is loaded, cleaned and exposed to temperature differences on a daily basis. Artificial teeth and base material wear out. Older plastic can become more fragile, especially if the prosthesis has been previously repaired or is very thin.
5. Grinding or clenching
Unconsciously clenching or grinding can put a lot of force on artificial teeth and denture bases. With a partial denture, your own teeth and metal parts can also be subjected to additional stress.
6. Very hard or chewy food
Biting on hard stones, bones, nuts or other very hard materials can damage an artificial tooth or plastic. Large tough bites can cause a loose denture to tip over.
7. Self-made changes
Filing, drilling, bending or placing material under the prosthesis yourself weakens the construction and changes the pressure distribution. Household glue can damage the fracture surfaces and is not intended for use in the mouth.
8. Loss or change of natural teeth
With a plate or frame prosthesis, the support changes when a natural tooth becomes loose, pulled or shifts. As a result, the prosthesis can be loaded differently. A frame hook can break if it is constantly bent or if the prosthesis no longer fits completely.
9. Loads around implant components
Implant-retained removable dentures have recesses and attachment parts in the prosthesis. There may be less plastic around these parts. An altered fit, worn matrix or uneven snapping can cause local tension.
Warning signs before a denture breaks
A break does not always come without warning. Have the prosthesis checked at:
- a visible line or discoloration in the plastic;
- a cracking or tapping sound;
- a tooth that moves;
- an edge that becomes thin, rough, or sharp;
- a prosthesis that suddenly bends or tilts more;
- recurring pressure points;
- an altered bite;
- a hook that feels loosened or bent;
- a implant-retained removable denture that only clicks properly on one side.
What do you do immediately in the event of a fracture?
- Stop wearing the denture when there are sharp edges, loose parts or a risk of swallowing a part.
- Save all parts. Also include a loose tooth, hook or clip.
- Clean the parts carefully with water; do not sand the fracture surfaces.
- Do not use super glue, hobby glue or repair kit.
- Contact us and tell us which type of prosthesis is damaged and whether you have any pain or wounds.
- Only wear your old spare prosthesis if it is still safe and suitable. Do not force anything into the mouth.
Have you swallowed a sharp part, have difficulty breathing or have a wound that continues to bleed? Then seek medical help immediately.
Why not glue it yourself?
A professional repair requires that the parts be returned exactly to their original position. A small shift can change the bite and fit. Glue can also penetrate the fracture line, which limits the laboratory's ability to repair. Some adhesives release harmful substances or cause irritation.
A home repair can therefore not only break again, but also cause wounds, an incorrect bite and additional repair costs.
How do we assess the damage?
We look at:
- where and how the prosthesis was broken;
- whether all parts are present;
- the fit on the jaw;
- the bite and distribution of contacts;
- wear and age of the prosthesis;
- previous repairs;
- the condition of the oral mucosa, natural teeth and implants;
- whether an impression is needed for a safe repair.
Sometimes a simple fracture can be repaired without a new impression. Missing material, poor fit, or partial dentures may require an impression. With implant-retained removable dentures, stud attachments, clips, matrices or a bar must be taken into account.
Repair, strengthen, reline or replace?
Repair only
This may be appropriate when the prosthesis is otherwise in good fit, the fracture surfaces are complete and the cause was a one-time fall.
Repair and restore fit
If jaw shrinkage and space beneath the denture contribute to the fracture, an impression and relining may be needed as well as the repair. This helps distribute the load more evenly.
Adjust bite
In case of uneven contacts, the bite should be checked and corrected if necessary. Merely closing the crack does not remove the cause.
Strengthen
In specific situations, reinforcement may be considered. A reinforcement is not a substitute for a good fit and bite.
A new prosthesis
In case of heavy wear, multiple previous fractures, extensive material loss or a significantly changed mouth, replacement may be more sustainable than re-repairing.
Difference per type of prosthesis
Complete dentures
A crack, fracture, or loose tooth can often be repaired. The KNMT distinguishes repairs with and without impression. Which method is necessary depends on the damage and fit.
Plate or frame prosthesis
An acrylic denture can crack; a metal-framework denture can also lose a clasp, rest or another metal component. Metal repairs require specialist assessment. Never bend a clasp back yourself.
Implant-retained removable dentures
With implant-retained removable dentures, in addition to plastic, retention parts can also wear out or become loose. The repair method depends on the system and whether a cast or temporary disassembly of a bar is required.
How do you prevent damage?
- clean the prosthesis over a water-filled sink or soft towel;
- never use hot water or the dishwasher;
- store the prosthesis safely out of the reach of children and pets;
- do not bite on very hard objects or use the prosthesis as a tool;
- check looseness, chattering and changed bite in a timely manner;
- come for periodic check-ups;
- have grinding or clenching assessed;
- never force a plate, frame, or implant-retained removable denture into place;
- keep an old usable prosthesis as a spare.
Costs and reimbursement
The reimbursement varies per type of prosthesis, insurance country, policy and repair. In the Netherlands, repair of a complete denture is often reimbursed by basic insurance, whereby deductibles and conditions may apply. Repair of a partial denture may be arranged differently. View Reimbursement Netherlands or Reimbursement Belgium. We first assess the damage and inform you as clearly as possible about the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can broken dentures be repaired the same day?
This is sometimes possible, but depends on the time of day, the damage, the type of prosthesis and whether an impression or special parts are needed. Call as early as possible and bring all parts with you.
Can I continue to wear the prosthesis if there is only a small tear?
That is not wise without assessment. A small tear can quickly tear through and a sharp edge can damage the mucous membrane.
Why does my prosthesis always break in the same place?
There is often more going on than bad luck, for example a bad fit, uneven bite, too thin material or grinding load. The cause must be investigated.
Do I also have to come if only a tooth is loose?
Yes. Save the tooth if you have one. We assess whether it can be safely replaced and why it became loose.
Appointment for denture damage
Go to appointment and contact or call us. Indicate whether it concerns a complete denture, plate, frame or implant-retained removable denture and whether you still have all parts.
Sources
- KNMT – repair of complete dentures without impression
- KNMT – repair of complete dentures with impression
- KNMT – repair of partial or frame prosthesis
- KNMT – repair implant-retained removable dentures
- KNMT – relining with changed fit
This page provides general information. Whether repair is possible safely and sustainably can only be determined after we have examined the denture and your mouth.