Signs You May Need Denture Repair

Denture repair is an expected part of owning and wearing dentures. Dentures these days can last for many years, but even with the best care, accidents and regular wear and tear can lead to damage, poor fit, and discomfort.

Regular check-ups, adjustments, and repairs can increase your comfort and extend the longevity of your dental prosthetic. Learn to recognize the signs that your dentures may need repairs.

Three common signs that you need denture repair

Schedule an appointment with your dentist right away if you notice any of these signs. The issues will not go away on their own, and ignoring them can lead to even more damage or discomfort over time. 

Discomfort

With a brand-new pair of dentures, the patient may feel minor discomfort while their mouth adjusts to the new prosthetic. However, outside of that adjustment period, dentures should always feel comfortable in the patient’s mouth.

If the patient experiences pain, tenderness, or sores, it may signify that denture repair is needed. Damaged dentures can affect the fit or create sharp edges that scrape against the patient’s cheeks, gums, or tongue. 

Poor fit

When a patient wears their dentures, the appliance should feel snug and secure in the mouth. They should not be difficult to insert or remove, nor should they slide around.

Changes to the patient’s jaw or a damaged appliance could both lead to poor-fitting dentures. A dentist will be able to determine the cause during an examination. Once the dentist knows more, they or the dental lab that they work with can make the necessary denture repairs or adjustments.

No matter the reason for the poor fit, the issue will not resolve on its own. The patient should let their dentist know right away because poor fit usually goes hand in hand with discomfort, pain, and potential damage to the mouth.

Loose dentures can scrape against the soft tissues in the patient’s mouth, including their gums and cheeks. If left untreated, this can cause sores, pain, and eventual infection. The patient might use unnecessary force to put their appliance in or take it out when dentures are too tight. This extra force can damage the patient’s mouth or dentures.

Damage

If any part of the dental prosthetic is damaged, it is time for denture repair. This includes broken, cracked, and missing teeth, along with any damage to the foundation itself.

Some patients may consider a cracked tooth to be merely a cosmetic issue, but even minor damage can compromise the integrity of the entire appliance. If left untreated, hairline cracks can worsen and lead to complete breaks.

When patients tell their dentist about damage early on, it can be fixed before the problem gets worse. Severe damage could lead to more costly repairs or may even require a complete replacement of the appliance.

Patients should inspect their dentures regularly. Most often, patients will damage their dentures by accidentally dropping them while cleaning. 

Contact us for denture repair

Schedule an appointment right away for denture repair if you have noticed any of these signs. These issues will not go away on their own, so do not delay getting the necessary repairs or adjustments. If you catch and fix the damage early, you might avoid the need for more expensive repairs. Reach out today to schedule your appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://www.lilburnfamilydentistry.com or call Lilburn Family Dentistry at (770) 800-0178 for an appointment in our Lilburn office.

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