Unreal Teeth, Real Danger: Why a Broken Denture is a Dental Emergency

Dentures aren’t the same as natural teeth, however great they may be. These devices use man-made materials, don’t suffer tooth decay, and can be removed at will. Still, the fact remains that a broken denture is a dental emergency. Leaving it alone will risk your oral health and quality of life. As for why that’s the case, just let your Jacksonville dentist explain the matter. Here’s a primer on how a denture can break, why a broken one is an urgent issue, and how dentistry would help.

Some Context: Dentures Can Break at Times

While sturdy, Dentures aren’t invincible. They can crack and break at various times for various reasons.  These reasons usually fall under two general categories: natural causes or accidental injuries.

For dentures to break from natural causes is pretty common. Depending on how many stress cycles they go through, these restorations can fracture after a while. Similarly, some dentures chip and crack as they become ill-fitting. These appliances don’t stop bone loss from missing teeth, so your mouth may put more pressure on them as its shape shifts.

Of course, dentures can also break from accidents. You might trip and fall, collide with someone while playing a sport, and so on. Dentures can even crack from a fall while you’re cleaning them.

Why is a Broken Denture an Emergency?

Even if its teeth aren’t real, a broken denture is an emergency. Failing to get it fixed will harm your mouth and make your life harder.

You see, dentures cause severe issues when they break. The most immediate one is that they can’t help with crucial, everyday tasks anymore. Once they’re broken, dentures won’t be able to chew food well, help you speak properly, and so on. Plus, using them would likely result in cuts to the inside of your mouth. Such effects are disruptive to daily life and greatly weaken your oral health.

How Would Dentistry Solve the Problem?

Dentists have several ways to fix or treat broken dentures. These include the following:

• Denture Reline: If your denture’s break is a small one due to a poor fit, a dentist could reline it.
• Replace Your Denture: Dentures can often break when they use low-quality materials. In those cases, you may just want a replacement.
• Switch to Implant Dentures: When a denture stops working due to a shrinking jaw, a dentist may suggest you get implant-based ones. These “implant dentures” halt jaw-related bone loss and boost confidence.

Even if it seems harmless, a broken denture is a dental emergency. Treat it as one, and see your dental provider for help soon!

About the Practice

Jacksonville Dental Excellence is based in Jacksonville, FL. Led by Drs. Ryan and Rose Johnson, our practice strives to give each patient a stunning smile they can cherish. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental care as needed. Whatever trouble your teeth or gums are facing, our office can handle them for you! For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (904)-895-4536.