Why Denture Repairs Are Necessary

Most dentures are made from a comfortable and durable material called acrylic resin. Complete dentures can last between five and ten years, but some can last for much longer periods. It is therefore understandable that some users of dentures may be unaware that it is necessary to repair dentures after prolonged use even if they are not accidentally broken while in use.

A number of factors contribute to damage, necessitating repairs. Frequently occurring types of damage such as tooth loss can easily be fixed, with the expectation that it will extend the serviceable period of the appliance. Some forms of damage are more insidious and occur gradually.   

It is helpful to have an understanding of the structure of the appliance. A denture consists of a plastic base on which artificial teeth are embedded. Some aspects of the base may be made out of a stronger material such as metal to make the appliance more fracture resistant. 

Poor fitting accounts for the occurrence of denture fracture in a large number of cases. Misalignment of teeth which arises from poor fitting creates micro-fractures in the denture material during mastication.

Changes in the shape of the mouth occur with age. The gums and bone under a denture continue to shrink as years go by and this causes the denture to have a looser fit. The result is repeated flexing of the acrylic material which can give rise to a crack. The embedded false teeth may become loose or even break off.

The good thing about acrylic resin is that it is repairable, and it is commonplace to do so. Provided a loose-fitting denture is detected early, it can be relined. The relining process involves adding back material to improve the fit. More acrylic is added to the denture for reinforcement.

Denture relining can be done at the dental office if only little work is required. More elaborate relining will require sending off the denture to a dental laboratory. It is essential to look out for signs of looseness and have it relined before it gets cracked or broken as this may result in costly repairs later. Beside, relining the denture can renew the fit and extend its life span.

Should a denture break into two or a large crack occurs, it may be necessary to rebase the denture. Denture rebasing is similar to relining except that most or all the base will need to be replaced. Rebasing often enables the correction of a wider range of deficiencies, giving the appliance a new life and restoring its original strength. Dentures that have provided extended service may need to be replaced and this could create an outcome that adapts favourably to the patient's new situation.

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