A poor denture fit can lead to breakage. It is best to fix broken partials at a dentists’, but you can also fix it at home. You can do it by use of a superglue or repair kit. To fix a broken denture yourself;
1. Please take out your denture, clean it and dry off
2. Apply dental-grade resin glue and then place the broken piece on it
3. Let it dry, then remove excess material
Dentures or partials are false teeth placed in one’s mouth to replace extracted or fallen teeth to allow one to speak and eat properly. Partials can break at any time due to biting hard stuff and wear and tear. Therefore, it is best always to fix them to avoid further damage. Read through to know the available options.
Removing Superglue From Dentures
Excess or messed glue on dentures can be removed using nail polish remover with acetone and a cotton swab. Dip the cotton in the remover, then pressing hard, rub the saturated cotton back and forth on the denture. Use warm water to rinse the remover of the denture. Soak partials in warm and soapy water, then brush off.
What Kind Of Glue Can Be Used To Fix Partials?
The best and most effective glue to use is dental-grade resin, which is costly. Alternatively, you can use acrylic resin, which is durable and meant for dental use. Superglue can be used in emergencies as a temporary solution. If used, allow it to dry first before placing the partial. Superglue can taste weird, and the good one for partials is of ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate type.
Types Of Partial Dentures
1. Cast Metal Framework Removable Partial Dentures are made of metal and less expensive, and can last for years.
2. Acrylic Clasp Removable Partial Dentures (Flippers) – Dentures are set on a thick, pink acrylic base, which is bulky. They are a temporary solution and are the least expensive.
3. Flexible Partial Dentures – These types are made of thin, heat-sensitive material. They are both comfortable and have a better appearance. Most are costly and yet temporary solutions.
4. Fixed Bridge – This option is perfect for those with a few missing teeth. They are unmemorable and are treated like natural teeth.
5. Implant-Supported Fixed Bridge – when one is missing too many teeth for a fixed bridge, an implant-supported fixed bridge is a better option. The implants are added to biocompatible titanium that acts as a tooth root. Although very costly, they are permanent and can last a whole lifetime. There are two types of impact-supported dentures that you can consider; bar-retained and ball retained dentures.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Repairing Broken Partials
Advantages
1. Cheaper compared to getting new dentures
2. No pain felt during the repair
3. It takes very little time to repair
4. The fix is very likely to be successful when the break is clear.
Disadvantages
1. Making other denture changes is not easy after repair
2. You may have to stay without them for a while before repair.
Partial Denture Repair Kit
Most denture repair kits are easy to use and come with instructions, self-adhesive, and up to six repairs.
The DSI Repio, for example, contains the following:
1. 30g powder
2. 15ml monomer liquid
3. Dosage syringe
4. Acrylic denture full set
5. Scalpel Handle and Scalpel blades
6. Spatulas
7. Emery cloth
8. Alcohol prep pads
Taking Good Care Of Partials Or Dentures
Now that you know how to fix your broken partials, you must take care of them. Here is what you need to do:
Daily Cleaning
Rinse partials with warm water after each meal to remove food remains. Avoid hot water since it may destroy the dentures.
Brush dentures daily with a denture brush, denture paste or soap and water. Regular toothpaste may scratch the acrylic.
During cleaning, the dentures may slip. It is advisable to wash them over a towel or water in case they drop.
Mouth Tissues
Remove partials before sleeping to avoid irritation and discomfort. After removing dentures, use a soft toothbrush with a salt solution to clean inside your mouth. Rinse thoroughly your lips, tongue, natural teeth and gums. Use different brushes for your partials and natural teeth.
To ensure that the acrylic doesn’t dry or become brittle, ensure they are in water or denture solution every time you are not wearing them. Rinse them well before putting them back on, especially when using denture solution.
Do Not Use Toothpicks
It is advisable not to use toothpicks to remove stuck food in-between teeth as it scratches and destroys partially.
Avoid Teeth Whitening Pastes
Teeth whitening pastes contain hydrogen peroxide, which does not work on partials.
Do Not Use Bleach
Bleaching materials affect the color of partials and weaken them. Avoid soaking denture with metals or in solutions containing chlorine.
Denture Problems
1. Gum irritation and oral sores- When partials put a lot of pressure on the part of your mouth, sores may develop. If this happens, you should visit a dentist for proper adjustments. It is safe to stop wearing partials for a while before sore spots are treated or partials fixed.
2. Troubles when speaking and eating
3. Bad breath and tastes
4. Infections such as stomatitis and cheilitis
5. Unstable dentures.
How To Solve Denture Problems
Follow the following tips to solve some of the common denture problems:
1. Wear well-fitting partials and if they get loose, consult your dentist.
2. Speak slowly and if dentures shift position when talking, bite them down or reposition them with your tongue
3. East soft and little food at a time. Avoid sticky food and chew slowly with both sides of your dentures. Eating gets a lot easier with time.
4. Denture adhesives can be used to hold partials in place temporarily. When using adhesives, follow instructions to the latter.
Loose-Fitting Partials
If your partials get loose, your gums may shrink since they are no longer holding teeth in place. You may experience the following:
Effects Of Loose-Fitting Partials
1. They can cause mouth sores, which may develop into precancerous lessons if unattended to. It is advisable to do a dental checkup whenever lessons last for more than 3 weeks.
2. Difficulty in chewing food- This may lead to stomach problems since foods that are not properly chewed can lead to indigestion.
3. Hard time speaking or smiling- Loose-fitting dentures can make it hard to pronounce words correctly.
4. They can cause wear and tear on natural teeth, causing tooth loss.
5. May alter facial features
6. Wearing loose partials increases the intake of the air, which results in belching or burping.
Solutions To Denture Fitting Problems
If your dentures are not fitting well do, you should consider the following:
1. Get a new denture adhesive with better fill and a firmer grip
2. Soft relining –This involves removing the inner lining of partials. It is done by adding polymer to clean dentures. This lasts for months to years.
3. Hard relining – Unlike soft relining, partials are permanently reshaped with hard denture plastics. This process takes more time and is costly.
4. Dental implants – Implants are put into the jaw, giving partials a firm base. This, however, cannot be done on any jaws. It requires healthy bones and can be costly. Despite that, dental implants are the best and ultimate solution.
5. Rebase –Relining may not be sufficient. In that case, you might need to rebase. This is fixing or renewing the denture base to get better rid of fit problems.
Can Dentures Cause Infection?
Yes, dentures can cause infection. Infections such as cheilitis and stomatitis are linked with dentures.
1. Cheilitis – This causes painful inflammation and cracking of mouth corners. An overgrowth of yeast causes cheilitis. Yeast accumulates in moist areas of the mouth when dentures don’t fit properly. Cheilitis, also cheilosis, can be prevented by ensuring dentures fit properly. Moreover, avoid licking the corners of your lips.
2. Stomatitis – This is also caused by too much yeast. Symptoms include small red bumps on the roof of the mouth and redness, especially under upper dentures.
Both infections can be cured with medicine and proper care.
When To Get Your Partials Checked And Fixed
It is good to consult a dentist when you experience the following;
1. Cracks on the dentures,
2. Difficulty and pain when chewing – could be a result of unstable dentures.
3. Reddening gums and sores – Food particles that stick between teeth and gums cause inflammation and gums’ reddening.
4. Discomfort – loose-fitting partials are very uncomfortable and may even cause pain.
5. Broken teeth – partials break when they are dropped on the floor. When that happens, please book an appointment with a dentist to get them fixed or removed.
6. Bad smell on the false teeth
7. Changes in face structure – Teeth are responsible for facial structure; if you see a change in your jawline appearance, get your denture checked.
8. Change in speaking patterns – Lips, excessive salivation, and slurred language may be caused by poorly fitted dentures. It is best to consult a dentist when such happens.
How To Adjust To Your New Dentures
In order to adjust your new dentures, you should do the following:
1. Exercise speaking at home, so you get used to them.
2. Carefully choose your meals; for the first few days, stick to soft foods while getting used to partials.
3. Take care of soreness and redness.
4. Find out about firmer and better adhesives. You can do this by consulting your dentist or trying out various types.
5. Develop a cleaning routine. Remember, oral hygiene is very important when using dentures.
Final Word
While it may seem easy and cheaper to fix your dentures at home, visiting a dental clinic is the better option. Over-the-counter glues can be toxic and may not offer a long-lasting solution. Nonetheless, you should develop a proper cleaning routine to maintain your oral hygiene.
