Denture Repair

Even dentures made of the best materials may require the occasional repair, due to the wear and tear they endure every day, or if they are broken after being dropped. It is especially important to avoid DIY false teeth repairs (super glue, etc.), as this may render the denture irreparable, or make it difficult for our technicians to perform accurate repairs to the denture.

What are the most common reasons for denture repairs?

One of the most common reasons for denture repairs is due to a poor fit and use of inferior materials. In terms of fit, it is particularly important when chewing food that your upper and lower teeth align evenly so that there is an even spread of pressure when you bite down. An uneven bite can put excessive stress on the denture in a particular spot, causing them to break. Denture repairs are also needed when dentures are worn-down and poorer quality materials have been used in their construction. For example, cheaper teeth will wear down quicker leading to the uneven distribution of the chewing force which may be harmful to the denture and patients’ gums and bone in the oral cavity. Another common denture repair is from impact fractures resulting from a denture accidentally being dropped. A tip to help prevent this from happening is to always wash your denture with a plastic bowl underneath in the sink.

How is my denture repaired?

Trying to fix your dentures with superglue or other household products can cause even more damage to your denture and dental health as well as be significantly more costly in the long run. We recommend only using a professional and reputable denture clinic in Perth when repairing dentures. Many types of dentures are made of acrylic resin which is generally comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and repairable. During the repair process, the thickness of the acrylic can be increased with cold cure acrylic and/ or stainless steel mesh or wire can be added to reinforce the denture. With some repair cases such as broken or missing tooth/ teeth, an upper and lower impression may be needed to most effectively replace the tooth/ teeth back onto the denture. On occasions, a new denture may be advisable due to the potential for repeated breakages. As a rule of thumb, most Standard Acrylic Dentures need to be replaced every 5-10 years.

How much does a denture repair cost?

The cost of denture repair can vary depending on several factors, including the extent of the damage, the materials needed for the repair, and the dental provider's fees. If you require denture repair, it's best to consult with a dental prosthetist who can evaluate the damage and provide you with an accurate cost estimate based on your individual situation. We can also discuss any available payment options or insurance coverage that may help offset the cost of the repair.

How Long Does It Take To Fix My Broken Denture?

We know that absolutely no one wants to be without their false teeth! We always work as fast as we can to get your denture repaired and back to you as quick as possible. Some dentures break with a clean line and are relatively easy to fix, but on the other hand, some broken dentures are more complex, with many pieces missing. So it really depends on how badly the denture is broken.

Denture Reline

Denture relining is a dental procedure performed to adjust the fit of removable dentures. Over time, the underlying bone and gum tissues in the mouth can change shape due to factors such as bone resorption (bone loss) and natural aging. These changes can lead to ill-fitting dentures, which can cause discomfort, difficulty in chewing, and speech problems.
 During a denture reline, a dental prosthetis modifies the inner surface of the denture base to improve its fit and comfort. This is typically done by adding a new layer of denture material to the existing base to match the contours of the patient's gums and oral tissues more accurately. Denture relining is a common procedure recommended for denture wearers who experience changes in the fit of their dentures over time. It can help enhance comfort, stability, and functionality, allowing individuals to continue enjoying their daily activities with improved oral health and confidence.
The following are some frequent symptoms that suggest the need for denture reline:
  • Post Immediate Dentures
  • Bone loss in the upper or lower jaw
  • Tooth Loss
  • Sickness or disease
  • Weight Loss

4 Signs You Need a Denture Reline

Despite maintaining a regular oral health routine, the size and shape of your mouth can change over time, resulting in the current dentures to loosen or fall off. It can be uncomfortable and painful when ignored. Here are the most common considerations why you need a denture reline. If you experience any of these signs, don’t hesitate to reach out to our denture clinic for a checkup.
Sores, Infections, and Prolonged Discomfort
Denture stomatitis is one of the infections people who are wearing dentures are exposed to. This affects people with diabetes, poor oral health, undergoing cancer treatment, and those who are taking certain medications.
Difficulty Swallowing
One of the effects of wearing dentures for years could be the shifting of jaw size and shape, resulting in dentures not fitting well. This would change the tongue movements, creating a negative domino effect on your swallowing ability.
Loose Dentures
Bone resorption is one of the many reasons for having loose dentures. This is when your gums start to shrink because it is not used anymore for holding your teeth in their positions. Another reason for loose dentures is the everyday use of dentures.
It Has Been A While Since Your Last Denture Reline
It is essential to keep track of your last denture reline because a regular visit to your denture clinic once a year or when needed is necessary to ensure that the dentures are still serving their purpose. Even the best denture reliner requires proper maintenance.

Types of Denture Reline

Processed Reline (Hard/Permanent )
Ideally, a full denture should have a hard reline every two years unless your prosthetist recommends one earlier. This is part of the regular maintenance to ensure the optimal life span of your denture. The hard relining restores the dentures’ snug fit and delays having to replace them with a new one. The hard reline involves applying a pliable material over the denture surface before trying it in your mouth to determine where adjustments need to be made. Once this is established, the pliable material is replaced with acrylic restoring the denture’s close fit and durability.
Direct Reline (Temporary )
If your gums have become sore and inflamed over time, your prosthetist will recommend a temporary reline. Neglecting to have regular relines can often be the cause of this deterioration. Your dental prosthetist relines the denture with a medicated material as a temporary measure until the gums have healed. Then, either a hard reline can be applied, or a new dental plate can be made. Because the temporary reline is not heat cured like hard relines, they can become discoloured or porous, harbouring bacteria and leading to problems like halitosis or bad breath. The expense and inconvenience of temporary denture relines can be avoided by regular maintenance of your dental plate. Temporary relines need to be removed or replaced every 2 to 6 weeks.
Resilient Reline (Soft)
A soft denture reline is recommended if your gums are too tender or sensitive. Sensitivities can lead to sore spots and discomfort when eating. The soft reline is a perfect way to give your mouth and gums time to heal and adjust to wearing dentures. Your dental prosthetist applies a soft waxy or rubbery material to cushion your gums. The soft denture reline can last up to two years.

Denture Tooth Addition

In many cases, partial dentures offer the flexibility to be able to add new teeth onto your existing plate instead of having to get a new partial denture entirely. Coming directly to us, a full servicing denture clinic with an on-site laboratory, we can normally turn around a denture addition in 3~4 hours or within the same day reducing the inconvenience of not having your teeth. Ideally, you will schedule a dental appointment for the extractions to take place after we take impression(s) with your denture. Your prosthetist will fit the denture immediately after the tooth or teeth are removed. The advantage of this method is the denture assists with the healing process, stemming blood loss and sealing off the wound site. In addition, you are only without teeth for a short time.
 Alternatively, after tooth extractions have been done, you may opt to wait for healing to take place (usually 2-4 weeks depending on your age and number of teeth removed) before scheduling appointments with our prosthetist. We will take impressions of your mouth once the socket has healed and the gum tissue has shrunken back.

When would I need a tooth addition?

Perhaps you need to have a tooth or teeth extracted, leaving a gap in your mouth that your partial denture no longer adequately fills. Affecting your appearance, your ability to eat effectively and even speak properly, the gap can also impact on your oral health, allowing in some cases for the remaining teeth to drift out of position. Load distribution alters as a consequence and the support your partial denture may have provided to an opposing denture may be compromised because of the gaps made by missing teeth.

Is my denture suitable for a tooth addition?

Depending on the materials from which your partial denture is made, your prosthetist can add more teeth to replace the missing ones. Teeth can be added to acrylic dentures, cobalt chrome dentures (also known as chrome dentures or metal dentures), and a limited range of flexible dentures like Thermosens, depending on the design of the denture.
 While acrylic dentures are the most easily added to, cobalt chrome dentures can also accommodate tooth additions, but ideally should be designed with provision for additional teeth if needed at a later date.

How long does it take for a tooth addition?

The short answer is a tooth addition can be achieved within the space of one day. A tooth addition takes two 30–minute appointments scheduled for the same day, so you’re without your denture for the least possible time.

What is the process?

You will see your dentist first to determine which teeth are to be removed. Your dentist will provide you with a written treatment plan confirming tooth numbers for extraction which you bring to us. We can then schedule your appointments for a same-day tooth addition We will reserve two appointments for you on the same day: one early morning and one later in the afternoon. During the early morning appointment, we will take an impression of your mouth with your denture in place. We determine tooth shade and shape, and you will be given a quote. You will be without your denture during the day while we undertake the tooth addition work. When you return for the afternoon appointment, we fit your denture complete with the tooth or teeth added.
Once you have a tooth addition done, we will wait for your gum to recede for a few months. Then your denture needs to be relined or replaced to eliminate gaps occurring because of shrinkage of gums and bone after removal of natural teeth.
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