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Cracked or broken dentures
Most breaks happen when a denture is dropped onto a hard surface, often while it is being cleaned. Others start as a hairline crack down the middle of an upper denture, caused by repeated flexing when the fit has loosened or by biting on something hard. Acrylic can also become brittle with age, so an older denture is more likely to snap from a small knock.
A clean break into two pieces can often be joined, provided the pieces fit back together exactly. A denture that has shattered, or one that keeps cracking in the same place, may point to a deeper problem with the fit, and repairing it may only buy a little time.
Broken clasps and lost teeth
On a partial denture, a wire clasp can snap or bend after years of being clipped in and out. A replacement clasp can usually be added to an acrylic partial. On a metal-framed partial, a broken cast clasp may be harder to fix and sometimes needs the framework soldered or a new design. Try not to bend a clasp back by hand, as the wire can weaken and snap, or press into the tooth or gum.
If an artificial tooth has come off, keep it, as it can often be reattached. If you have lost a natural tooth that a partial denture rested against, a tooth can often be added to an acrylic denture so you don’t need a whole new one. If your denture clips onto implants and the grip has weakened, the worn inserts can usually be replaced rather than the denture repaired.
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Why home glue kits make things worse
Superglue and pharmacy repair kits can look like a quick fix, but they usually create bigger problems. Even a tiny misalignment changes how the denture sits and how your teeth meet, which can cause sore spots, jaw ache and uneven pressure on the gums.
Household glues aren’t designed to be in the mouth and may irritate the gums. Glue also seeps into the crack, which can make a proper repair harder or impossible and mean a new denture is needed. Filing or trimming the denture yourself carries similar risks, so please bring it in as it is.
What to bring and how to store it
A few small steps help us repair a denture accurately.
- Every broken piece, including any tooth or clasp that has come off
- A clean, padded container or zip‑lock bag, with the pieces kept separate so the broken edges aren’t rubbed
- Your other denture if you wear one, as we may need to check how they meet
- A note of when the damage happened and whether the fit had changed beforehand
Relines when your gums change
After teeth are lost, the gum and bone underneath slowly shrink and reshape. A denture made to fit your mouth a few years ago may now rock, slip, trap food underneath or press on certain spots. A reline adds new material to the fitting surface so it matches your gums again.
A hard reline uses the same rigid acrylic as the denture and is usually processed by a dental laboratory from an impression we take. A soft reline uses a cushioning material that can help people with thin or tender gums, though it generally needs renewing more often. A temporary soft lining is also used to settle sore, inflamed gums before a final reline or new denture.
Relines are often needed every few years, though the timing varies from person to person. An immediate denture usually needs relining sooner, because the gums change fastest in the months after extractions.
Sore spots and ulcers
A denture that has started rubbing can cause a sore spot or ulcer, often along the edge of the gum or under the tongue. These usually heal within a week or two once the denture is adjusted. Leaving the denture out for a few hours can help in the meantime.
Any ulcer or patch in the mouth that hasn’t healed within two to three weeks should be checked, even if you think the denture is the cause. Redness under an upper denture, sometimes with a burning feeling, can be a fungal infection known as denture stomatitis, which is treatable. Try not to rely on adhesive to cushion a rubbing area, as it can hide a problem that needs adjusting.
When a new denture is the better choice
Repairs and relines extend the life of a denture, but there comes a point where they stop being good value. We will tell you if we think you have reached that point.
- The denture has broken several times or keeps cracking in the same place
- The teeth are heavily worn, flattening your bite or changing how your face looks
- It has already been relined more than once and still doesn’t fit well
- You have lost more natural teeth and the partial no longer suits your mouth
- The acrylic has become stained, porous or brittle with age
Repair costs and claiming
The fee depends on the type of repair, whether a laboratory is involved, and whether an impression is needed. Denture repairs and relines are often claimable under extras, sometimes as a separate item from new dentures, so check with your fund using the item numbers we provide. If the break happened because the denture no longer fits, a reline at the same time may be suggested so it doesn’t crack again.
Questions about denture repairs & relines
How long will I be without my denture?
It depends on the repair. Small adjustments can be done during your appointment, while a repair or reline involving a laboratory may take longer. We will give you an idea of timing when you call, so you can plan around it.
Can a denture be repaired more than once?
Yes, although each repair adds a joint that may be weaker than the original. If the same area keeps breaking, it often means the fit or the bite needs attention, and a reline or new denture may be more reliable.
My denture is loose but not broken. Do I need a reline?
Possibly. Looseness often comes from changes in the gums, which a reline can correct. It can also come from worn teeth or a change in your bite, so we check those too before recommending a reline.
Can you repair a denture made somewhere else?
Usually, yes. We can assess and repair dentures made by another dentist or clinic. It helps to know roughly how old the denture is and whether it has been repaired or relined before.
Are over‑the‑counter reline kits a good idea?
We don’t recommend them. They are hard to apply evenly, can change your bite and put pressure on parts of the gum, and may make a professional reline harder. A loose denture is worth having checked properly.
What can I do if my denture breaks over the weekend?
Keep all the pieces together, stored separately so the edges don’t rub, and avoid gluing them. If a sharp edge is cutting your mouth, leave the denture out. Call us when we are next open, or book online, and we will see you as soon as we can.