Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhat kinds of denture repair exist, and what can be done the same day?What should you do when a denture breaks, and when is it better to replace it?FAQRead nextDenture repair: what can be fixed the same day and when to replace it
Quick summary of this article+
Many dentures can be repaired: a loose tooth, a simple crack and sore spots are usually fixed in the office the same day; extensive fractures, metal clasps and permanent relines usually go to the lab. Do not use household glue; keep the pieces and see the dentist. Very worn, loose dentures or those that break often are usually replaced.
A broken, cracked or loose denture, a tooth that came off or a snapped clasp are common problems, and many can be repaired. Simple repairs on acrylic dentures, such as reattaching a tooth or adjusting a sore spot, can often be done in the office the same day. Others, such as extensive fractures, broken metal clasps or a full reline, usually need a dental lab and take a few days. Sometimes a new denture is the better choice.
In clinical practice, it is common to see patients who glued their denture at home with superglue and arrive with a misaligned, stained piece and residue that irritates the gums. Others have worn the same denture for many years, compensating for poor fit with lots of adhesive, unaware that looseness may reflect changes in the bone.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), a dentist with postgraduate training in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry who sees patients in Mooca, East Zone of São Paulo, every day including Sundays and holidays, explains which repairs are possible and when to replace the denture.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the dental implants page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
What kinds of denture repair exist, and what can be done the same day?
The most common repairs are reattaching a loose tooth, fixing a crack in the acrylic base, adding a tooth when another natural tooth is lost, replacing or adjusting clasps, relining the fitting surface and adjusting sore spots. Small acrylic repairs are usually done in the office; larger ones or those involving metal generally go to the lab.
Fractures that split the denture into several pieces, broken metal clasps, damaged frameworks and permanent relines usually require an impression and lab work; meanwhile, the dentist may place a temporary reline. Fixed work has its own logic: a crown that came off intact can often be recemented, chipped porcelain can sometimes be repaired with composite and a loose implant screw is usually retightened.
Flexible dentures, made of bendable material without metal clasps, are harder to repair because the material does not bond well, so replacement is often needed.
What should you do when a denture breaks, and when is it better to replace it?
Keep all the pieces clean and dry in a container, do not use superglue or other household glues and contact the dentist. Household glues are not made for the mouth, may irritate the gums and misalign the piece, making professional repair harder or impossible. If the denture has sharp edges, avoid wearing it until the visit.
Consider a new denture when it breaks often, is very worn, has worn teeth that changed the bite, is stained or keeps an odor, has looseness that a reline no longer fixes or no longer fits because more teeth were lost. Clean it over a sink filled with water or a towel, use a dedicated brush and mild soap, avoid hot water and abrasives, and have regular checkups.
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano assesses broken or loose dentures every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays, near Bresser-Mooca subway station, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, and explains whether the repair can be done the same day, needs the lab or calls for a new denture.
Can a denture be repaired the same day?
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It depends on the damage. A loose acrylic tooth, a simple crack in the base and a sore spot are usually fixed in the office the same day. Fractures into several pieces, broken metal clasps and permanent relines generally need a lab and take a few days. The assessment defines the path.
Can I glue my broken denture with superglue?
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No. Superglue and household glues are not made for use in the mouth, may irritate the gums and leave the denture misaligned. Residue can also prevent professional repair. Keep the pieces clean and dry and see your dentist as soon as possible.
My denture is loose: can it be fixed?
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Often, yes, with a reline, which rebuilds the surface that rests on the gums to improve fit. Looseness happens because bone and gums change over time. When the denture is very old or worn, however, a reline may not be enough and a new one is recommended.
A tooth fell off my denture: what should I do?
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Keep the tooth and the denture clean and contact the dentist. In most cases, the acrylic tooth can be reattached with proper resin in the office, sometimes the same day. Do not try to glue it at home, as it may end up out of position and change your bite.
Can a flexible denture be repaired?
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Repairs are more limited because the flexible material does not bond well like acrylic. Small adjustments may be possible, but fractures usually require a new piece. The dentist assesses whether a repair is worth trying.
Does denture adhesive fix a loose denture?
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Adhesive can help occasionally, but it does not fix the cause. Needing large amounts every day usually means the denture lost its fit because bone and gums changed. A reline or a new denture provides more stability and comfort and reduces sores.
Where can I get a denture repaired in Mooca, São Paulo?
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In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays. She assesses whether the repair can be done the same day, needs a lab or whether a new denture is better.
