Denture Repair and How it is Done

People often find themselves needing denture repair from time to time. A fractured or damaged denture can cause a great deal of distress. So much so that it may result in both physical and mental discomfort. From damage caused by natural wear and tear to impact, immediate attention should be sought to prevent any further complications.

If nothing else, patients need to be familiar with the process of repairing dentures. Various factors are considered before the repair is carried out. Additionally, there are several things patients can do to make the repair smoother.

How denture repair works

Step 1: Realigning the broken denture

First, the broken dentures are realigned. Denture adhesives (powders and pastes used to help the dentures stay in place) are applied if the dentures are fractured in half. The dental adhesive is applied on both the lingual and labial surfaces.

Step 2: Support and retention of the dentures

Instinctively, the next step should be holding the repaired dentures in position. The method used to keep the dentures in place depends on various factors such as the extent of the damage and the type of denture adhesive used.

Nevertheless, the standard procedure used is the use of a tongue blade. The tongue blade is split in half to form two wooden splints. Each splint is then attached to the occlusal part of the denture. This creates a “bridge” that firmly holds the pieces of the denture in position for the next steps.

Step 3: Creation of the impression cast

Once the denture is firm enough, a small amount of plaster is applied to the tissue side of the fracture. For a better impression cast, the remaining plaster is placed on a solid surface (wooden or glass), and the denture is settled into the plaster. Once the plaster has set (10-20 minutes) the wooden splints are removed from the occlusal surfaces.

Step 4: Setting up the denture impression cast

The dentures are removed carefully using a lab knife from the already set plaster. This step is crucial if the slab cast breaks the process has to be repeated. If successfully removed, the cast is trimmed using a model trimmer. Further trimming is carried out using a lab knife to allow the dentures to fit in place securely.

Afterward, an acrylic bur is used to remove the residue from the dentures until a space of 1-2 millimeters remains in between

Step 5: Cast preparation and denture fixation

Liquid foil substitute is applied over the surfaces of the denture impression cast. The foil liquid covers up the pore openings. The dentures are then cleansed from any collected debris by washing them.

The dentures are dried and repositioned on the impression cast. Some liquid monomer is applied along the edges of the fracture. Next, a powder polymer is gently applied over the liquid, and the process is repeated until the layers build up to form a sturdy bond.

Once the liquid monomer and powder monomer have been added to the lingual and labial parts of the denture, petroleum jelly is applied. The setup is left to sit for five minutes or until the acrylic reaches the doughy stage before being immersed in warm water. Once the acrylic has hardened, the denture is removed from the cast. The dentures are polished and inspected for proper alignment, porosity, sharp ridges, and smooth contours are done.

Checking for the extent of the damage

Before calling the prosthodontist, check to determine what exactly is broken in the dentures. There are various cases where a temporary fix can be used. For example, if you have a denture fracture before an important meeting, you might need a temporary fix.

If a piece of acrylic is the only part that has fallen off, then the patient can fix it right away using an emergency denture repair kit. Remember, always check dentures regularly for wear or tear.

Want to learn more?

Are you considering denture repair in the Visalia area? Get more information at https://www.dentistofvisalia.com.