If a Denture Snaps, Is That a Dental Emergency?

If you live with dentures, you’re probably heavily dependent on them to live your life normally. Whether you’re eating, talking, or just trying to project your best self, the confidence that a set of well-fitting dentures can provide you is indispensable.

That can put you in a difficult situation should your dentures ever break. If they do, you might wonder whether that constitutes a dental emergency—an issue warranting immediate professional attention. Here’s what you should know.

Are Broken Dentures a Dental Emergency?

Given the important role that dentures play in the lives of people who need them, their being broken absolutely constitutes a dental emergency. It’s worth calling your dentist as soon as you notice that your prosthetic is no longer functional, and they’ll typically make an appointment for you to see them as soon as possible.

What Should I Do Until My Appointment?

Generally, it’s a good idea not to wear your dentures if they’re damaged. Using them to eat could put excess pressure on the prosthetic, causing further damage that could be difficult to repair. For that reason, you should store your dentures in a safe place until you can see your dentist.

If you have a set of backup dentures, you can try wearing them until you can see your dentist. If not, you might have to be a little bit choosy about what you eat before your appointment.

Can I Repair My Dentures Myself?

It’s never a good idea to try to repair your dentures yourself. For one, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to fix your dentures well enough for them to stand up to very much pressure. Even if you get your dentures to stick together, it’s unlikely that the repairs will last long. It can also be difficult to fit your dentures to your mouth properly, particularly without a dental mold.

Most importantly, the adhesives and materials that dentists use are specifically formulated for a dental context, which means that they’re non-toxic. This is often not the case for the tools the average person has on hand, so you might wind up exposing yourself to toxic materials if you try to make repairs yourself. In the case of denture repair, you should leave this part of your dental care to the professionals!

About Our Practice

At The DFW Dental Implant Center, we’re not only proud of what we’re able to offer to our patients in terms of treatment, but in the relationships that we’ve been able to form with them over the years. Getting to know our patients as individuals allows us to give them care personalized specifically to them, ensuring that the treatment that they receive will be specifically tailored to their unique needs. This is what allows us to call ourselves the premier dental office in DFW!

If you have any questions about your dentures, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (817) 440-7133.