Broken Denture: Repair and Replacement Options.
Dentures can become damaged over time through everyday use, accidental drops, or changes in fit. Whether the issue is a crack, a fracture, a broken clasp, or a chipped denture tooth, the damage may affect comfort, stability, chewing ability, and speech. A professional assessment can help determine whether repair or replacement may be the most appropriate course of action.
Professional Assessment
A thorough evaluation of your denture and oral tissues can determine the best course of action — whether that is a repair, reline, or replacement.
“My denture was assessed and repaired professionally. Very reassuring.”
What Counts as a Broken Denture?
Denture damage can take many forms, ranging from minor cosmetic issues to structural failures that affect how the denture fits and functions. Understanding the type of damage is the first step toward determining the most appropriate solution.
Cracks & Fractures
Hairline cracks in the denture base may develop gradually, while a full fracture — where the denture breaks into two or more pieces — often results from a drop or excessive biting force.
Broken or Missing Teeth
Individual denture teeth can chip, crack, or detach from the base. This may affect the appearance of the denture and can alter how the upper and lower teeth meet when biting.
Distortion & Loose Parts
The denture base may warp if exposed to heat or improper storage. Clasps, connectors, or other components may become loose or detach, reducing retention and stability.
Even minor damage may worsen with continued use. A small crack can propagate under normal chewing forces, and a poorly fitting denture may cause irritation to the oral tissues. A can assess both the denture and the health of the underlying gums and bone.
Common Causes of Denture Damage
Dentures are designed to be durable, but they are subject to stresses and conditions that can lead to damage over time. Understanding the common causes may help in taking reasonable care to minimise the risk.
1Accidental Dropping
Dentures can be slippery when wet. Dropping a denture onto a hard surface — such as a tiled bathroom floor or sink — is one of the most common causes of cracks and fractures. Handling dentures over a folded towel or basin of water can help reduce this risk.
2Wear and Tear Over Time
Daily use subjects the denture to repeated chewing forces, thermal changes, and contact with cleaning agents. Over several years, the acrylic base and denture teeth may gradually weaken, making the denture more vulnerable to damage.
3Changes in Gum or Bone Shape
After teeth are lost, the underlying bone gradually resorbs over time. This natural process changes the shape of the ridge that the denture sits on, leading to a progressively poorer fit. An ill-fitting denture rocks during use, creating stress points that may eventually crack.
4Excessive Bite Pressure
Particularly hard or chewy foods can place concentrated forces on specific areas of the denture. Over time — or with a single forceful bite — this can lead to a tooth detaching or the base fracturing.
5Poor Fit Leading to Stress Fractures
A denture that no longer fits well may flex repeatedly during eating and speaking. This flexion creates fatigue in the acrylic material, similar to repeatedly bending a piece of plastic, eventually leading to a stress fracture.
Material fatigue is a natural process that may occur after several years of regular use. Even with excellent care, dentures do not last indefinitely and may eventually require repair, relining, or replacement.
Risks of Wearing a Broken Denture
Continuing to wear a damaged denture may lead to a number of issues. While these are not inevitable, they are worth being aware of — particularly if the damage affects how the denture fits or functions.
Gum Irritation or Sore Spots
Rough edges, cracks, or a poor fit can rub against the gum tissue, causing localised soreness, redness, or ulceration.
Uneven Pressure on Oral Tissues
A cracked or warped denture may distribute biting forces unevenly, placing excessive pressure on certain areas of the gum and bone.
Reduced Chewing Efficiency
A broken or missing denture tooth can significantly affect the ability to chew food properly, which may in turn affect digestion and nutrition.
Increased Movement and Instability
Damage to the base or clasps can reduce retention, causing the denture to move, rock, or feel loose during eating and speaking.
Risk of Swallowing Fragments
In rare cases, a small fragment of a damaged denture tooth or base material may detach during use. While uncommon, this is a safety consideration that supports prompt assessment.
A Balanced Perspective
Not all denture damage requires immediate intervention. A minor cosmetic chip, for example, may not affect comfort or function in the short term. However, any damage that changes how the denture fits, feels, or functions is worth having assessed.
The key message is that professional evaluation allows an informed decision to be made — repair, adjustment, or replacement — based on the specific situation rather than guesswork.
Your dentist can assess both the denture and the health of the underlying oral tissues to provide tailored advice.
Denture Repair Pathway
Many types of denture damage can be professionally repaired, restoring function and comfort without the need for a completely new denture. The suitability of repair depends on the type, location, and extent of the damage.
Laboratory-Based Acrylic Repair
For cracks and fractures in the denture base, a dental laboratory can bond the pieces together using professional-grade acrylic resin. This aims to restore the structural integrity of the denture and may include reinforcement of the repaired area to reduce the risk of re-fracture.
This approach is typically suitable for clean breaks where the pieces fit together accurately and the denture base has not distorted.
Suitable For
Cracks and clean fractures in the denture base
Professional acrylic bonding & reinforcement
Replacement of a Damaged Denture Tooth
If an individual denture tooth has chipped, cracked, or detached, it can often be replaced with a new tooth matched in shade, size, and shape. The replacement tooth is bonded into the denture base by a dental technician, aiming to restore both appearance and bite.
Suitable For
Chipped, cracked, or missing denture teeth
Shade-matched replacement
Reinforcement of Weakened Areas
In some cases, a metal mesh or wire reinforcement can be incorporated into the denture base to strengthen areas that are prone to fracture. This may be recommended during a repair if the dentist identifies structural vulnerability, or as a preventive measure on a new denture.
Suitable For
Dentures with recurring fractures or thin sections
Metal reinforcement for added strength
Adjustment to Improve Fit
If damage has resulted from a poor fit, a reline or adjustment may be carried out alongside the repair. Relining adds new material to the fitting surface of the denture, improving its adaptation to the current shape of the gum tissue. This may help reduce the risk of future damage caused by flexion and uneven loading.
Suitable For
Ill-fitting dentures causing stress fractures
Reline or adjustment to improve adaptation
Dentures should not be repaired at home using household adhesives or DIY kits. These products may contain substances not intended for oral use and can alter the fit, making professional repair more difficult. Repair suitability depends on clinical evaluation.
When Replacement May Be Recommended
While many denture problems can be repaired, there are circumstances where a new denture may be the more appropriate and reliable long-term solution. Your dentist may recommend replacement if:
Multiple Fractures
A denture that has broken in several places may be structurally compromised to the point where repair cannot predictably restore adequate strength.
Significant Fit Deterioration
If the denture no longer fits the gums and bone well — even after relining — a new denture made from a fresh impression may provide a substantially better result.
Notable Bone or Gum Changes
Over the years, the jawbone continues to resorb after tooth loss. Significant changes in ridge shape may mean the existing denture can no longer be adapted to fit properly.
Age of the Denture
Denture materials degrade over time. An older denture may have worn teeth, a discoloured base, and reduced structural integrity — issues that accumulate beyond what repair can address.
Repeated Repairs
Each repair adds material and may alter the balance of the denture. If the same denture has been repaired multiple times, its overall reliability and fit may be diminished.
Replacement Alternatives to Consider
If replacement is recommended, it is also an opportunity to discuss whether a different type of prosthesis may better suit your needs:
A fresh denture made from an up-to-date impression of your gums and jaw.
Dentures secured by dental implants for improved stability and confidence.
Fixed prostheses that may be suitable if some natural teeth remain.
Individual implant-supported teeth as an alternative to removable dentures.
Temporary Measures Before Assessment
If your denture has broken, the following general guidance may help while you arrange a professional assessment. These measures do not constitute a repair.
Do
Store all broken pieces safely — your dentist may need them for repair.
Remove any sharp fragments carefully to avoid injury to the mouth.
If the denture is still wearable without discomfort, you may continue to use it with care until your appointment.
Maintain your usual oral hygiene routine for any remaining natural teeth and gums.
Arrange a professional dental assessment at your earliest convenience.
Do Not
Do not use household glue, superglue, or DIY repair kits — these are not safe for oral use.
Do not attempt to file, sand, or reshape the denture yourself.
Do not continue wearing the denture if it causes pain or has sharp edges.
Do not ignore the damage — even small cracks can worsen with continued use.
Do not expose the denture to hot water, which can cause warping.
These measures are intended as general guidance only. They do not replace a professional assessment. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, please contact us to arrange an appointment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Broken Denture Assessment
If your denture has cracked, fractured, or become unstable, a professional dental assessment can help determine whether repair or replacement may be appropriate. Broken denture assessment and repair options are available at our London clinic, where professional evaluation can determine the most appropriate course of care.
Professional Denture Care
Whether your denture needs a straightforward repair or a complete replacement, our South Kensington team can assess the damage and recommend the most appropriate solution for your situation.
20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3DL
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Meet The Experts
Our hand-picked team of clinicians is dedicated to the art and science of your smile.
Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi
Principal Dentist & Clinical Director
GDC: 195843
Meticulous preventative care meets world-class cosmetic dentistry. Yasha offers complicated surgical extractions, complex treatments, and smile makeovers.
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Dr. Kamran Yazdi
Dentist
GDC: 197926
Conservative dentistry specialist with postgraduate degrees from UCL Eastman. Believes in preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.
View ProfileDr. Andreia Phipps
Dentist
GDC: 229601
Friendly and enthusiastic dentist passionate about cosmetic and aesthetic restorative dentistry. Patient-centred care is at the heart of everything she does.
View ProfileDr. Reza Davari
Dentist with Special Interest in Prosthodontics
GDC: 302422
Award-winning prosthodontics specialist with the London Gold Medal. Combines advanced clinical skill with a calm, gentle manner.
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Dr. Narges Ameri
Dentist
GDC: 325081
Specialist-trained prosthodontist and implantologist. Former Assistant Professor at Tehran University with expertise in complex restorative cases.
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Jack Button
Dental Hygienist & Dental Therapist
GDC: 244367
Clinical Director and only Dental Hygienist awarded Fellowship to the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.
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Laila Alhussein
Dental Hygienist
GDC: 328882
UCL-trained hygienist dedicated to promoting oral health in a warm, welcoming environment. Passionate about patient comfort and connection.
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