Like natural teeth, dentures are an integral part of your everyday life—from aiding you in chewing to affecting the way you talk, and even making you more confident in your appearance.
When an accident happens and your dentures break or fracture or you have problems with partial dentures problem and you can no longer use them, you may feel a little overwhelmed.
You need them, after all, to carry on life as normal. For most denture or partial denture wearers, broken dentures are cause for an emergency.
Don’t worry, though, because there are several options for getting , so you can get back to eating all of your favorite foods and showing off your confident smile!
Some options may even allow you to have your dentures fixed in under 24 hours, so you don’t have to go without them very long.
Find an Emergency Dentist to Get Your Dentures Fixed Fast
As with natural teeth, if your dentures break on the weekend or late at night, you may feel like you just have to go without. This isn’t always the case. Often, even if your regular dentist office isn’t open, you can easily find an emergency dentist office near you.
Emergency dentist offices are usually open later than typical dentist offices during the week and often have limited hours on Saturday. Some offices are open on Sunday, and some of the best emergency dental offices may have a dentist on call all the time.
Finding a great emergency dentist means that there is a chance that you can get your dentures fixed immediately.
How To Choose The Best Emergency Dentist
When you check your local listings, you may notice that there is more than one emergency dentist in your area. Even if there is only one option, you still want to call ahead and do your research before booking an appointment.
In most cases, an emergency dentist will be able to see you right away, but not all dentist offices are equipped to repair your dentures.
You should call the office ahead of time to ask important questions. The receptionist or office assistant should be able to answer questions.
Things you need to know include the office’s hours when they have a dentist available, and if they are able to repair your dentures. Some offices may also offer same day denture repair, which can get you a quick fix so you don’t have to wait.
You should also ask the dentist office what paperwork and payment you need to bring with you for your visit.
When visiting a new dentist, you will likely regarding your dental insurance as well as identity verification.
Expect to be asked questions regarding your medical history and allergies.
Some emergency dental offices may require a payment up front until your insurance can be processed.
The receptionist should be able to give you a complete list of what to bring as well as an estimate of your payment. The paperwork will need to be completed before your dentures can be fixed.
Same-Day Denture Repair
You may see or hear about a service called “same-day denture repair” when speaking to the emergency dentist of your choice. This means that the office will be able to repair your dentures and return them to you quickly, at least within 24 hours, sometimes much sooner.
This probably means that the office works closely with a specialized technician at a nearby lab who can use to make repairs. This type of lab setting is often required, especially for more severe fractures or damages.
The technician will use a form of acrylic material as well as a special adhesive designed for denture repair to make corrections to your broken dentures. When returned to you, your dentures should be good as new, and you should be able to wear them immediately.
In rare cases, dentures may be severely damaged and you may need to have a new set made instead of repairing your current set. The emergency dentist may be able to aid you in getting a new set of dentures, but you may prefer to see your regular dentist instead.
How to Prevent Denture Damage
Dentures are not made of steel. In fact, the materials used to make a secure and comfortable fit in your mouth, as well as the materials used to mold the teeth on your dentures, are typically easily broken.
Dentures that are misaligned or do not fit properly may rub or grind against each other unnecessarily.
If your dentures do not fit correctly, it is possible that they break while you are eating. Dentures also can break or crack easily if they are dropped. Even small breaks can change the form of your dentures, making them impossible to wear or use properly.
Because your dentures are so important to your everyday life, you should practice precautions when handling your dentures.
Your gums and bones underneath your dentures can still change after your dentures are made, meaning that they can eventually become loose and, therefore, .
However, it is not always easy to notice when your dentures aren’t fitting correctly anymore.
Therefore, it is important to see your dentist regularly. They can inspect your mouth and your dentures to ensure that you are still getting a proper fit. If not, your dentist may suggest a .
You should also inspect your dentures regularly for damage, such as small cracks or fractures or abnormalities you have not noticed before.
When you clean your dentures, check them all over for new indentions or damage. Catching damages early gives you plenty of time to see a dentist before they break completely so the time you have to go without your dentures is minimal.
When you clean your dentures, place a towel underneath them. They can be slippery and hard to grip. The towel will help to ensure that they do not break if you accidentally drop them.
Practicing careful handling and attending regular office visits to have your dentures checked can help you avoid damages and those inconvenient denture emergencies.