Dental professionals have been working hard to develop new ideas and technology to make patients’ teeth shine brighter. One of their genius creations is dentures. Now, these dentures are designed to fix up dental disorders and tackle those annoying tooth problems head-on. Despite dentures’ impressive dental and overall health benefits, they’re not flawless—they also need tender loving care (TLC)..
Defective dentures can become a nuisance, especially when worn for quite some time. Don’t fret! A skilled dentist can fix those annoying dentures. On the other hand, you can repair broken dentures at home. It all depends on your preference.
In the era of YouTube and DIY, the idea of fixing broken dentures at home may seem appealing. However, it’s important to recognise that amateurs and inexperienced DIY enthusiasts can only do so much. Entrusting an experienced professional with the task not only saves time b but also ensures guaranteed results.
If you’re considering a DIY approach, it’s crucial to weigh the risks. Mishandling your dentures could lead to further damage and potentially harm your dental health.
While fixing broken dentures at home seems appealing, ask yourself if the DIY approach is appropriate. Dentures are one of those items that demand this crucial question.
Is a Do-It-Yourself Fix Right for Dentures?
If you wear dentures, you’re familiar with that uneasy feeling when something seems amiss.Just when you sense your dentures might give out, they do. At that moment, the thought of fixing them yourself might cross your mind.
However, before you reach for your tools, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental principles of how to fix broken dentures at home. Neglecting them could jeopardise your precious pearly whites. The potential risks will be discussed later, but first, let’s delve into these principles.
They include:
1) The risks involved:
A do-it-yourself fix for broken dentures is good, but risks are attached if you follow the appropriate procedure for fixing them. These risks include:
- Irritation with the gum
- Discomfort to your jaw
- Denture fitting issues
- Exposing your oral health to toxic substances.
Hence, before considering a do-it-yourself fix for your broken dentures, you should consider the above mentioned risks.
2) How long the fix lasts:
This can also be described as the intention behind fixing the dentures yourself. It is understood that breaks in dentures can happen when and where you least expect them, and a do-it-yourself fix is the most viable option you can choose. Still, it would help if you stopped to consider how long the fix will last or be used. When it comes to fixing dentures, there are two options concerning the intent behind or how long the fix will last.
There is the option of a short-term fix, and there is the option of a long-term fix. A short-term fix is something you consider when you want the dentures repaired immediately or if you want to continue using them pending when you see your dentist. The long-term fix is the repairs or recommendations you get when a dental professional addresses the broken dentures.
To answer the question, a do-it-yourself fix for broken dentures is the right thing to do only when it is used for a short-term solution.
When to Consider a DIY Fix for a Broken Denture?
Even the most reliable dentures can betray us at the most inconvenient times. It’s those moments when we least expect it, and rushing to the dentist seems like an impossible feat. That’s when a little DIY magic might just come to the rescue.
While a DIY fix can work wonders, it’s not without its fair share of risks. You see, it’s crucial to know the proper procedures and techniques when embarking on a denture-rescuing mission. Without that knowledge, you might inadvertently create more problems than you solve. Nobody wants that, right?
Before you don your DIY cape and set out on a denture-fixing adventure, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of the process. By arming yourself with knowledge, you can avoid those potential risks lurking in the shadows. After all, we want your dentures to shine bright and serve you well, without any unintended consequences.
Top-notch Tips for DIY Fixing of Broken Dentures
Many encounter problems with their dentures after they try fixing themselves because they need to learn the proper tips and measures to follow. Hence, these are helpful tips for conducting a DIY fix on broken dentures:
1) Book an appointment with your dentist:
Faulty dentures happen when you least expect them, so you should let your dentist know about them before you fix the broken dentures yourself. This allows you and your dentist to arrange when to meet and have the dentures fixed. This tip is essential because any fix you carry out on your broken denture is not a permanent fix to the problem, and the appointment is what brings about a permanent fix to a broken denture.
2) Get a denture repair kit:
From the call with your dentist, you will have recommendations on the ideal denture repair kit for a DIY denture fix. Most denture repair kits can be obtained from grocery stores, supermarkets, and dental stores. However, these denture repair kits are described as permanent solutions to broken dentures, but they are not. The kits described as a permanent fix are nothing but a marketing campaign manufacturers use. The permanent fix comes after you have seen your dentist and the dentist has worked on the broken denture.
3) You can use conventional glues, but exact caution:
Sometimes you need access to stores to get a denture repair kit. You can repair the denture with any conventional glue, like super glue. However, there is one bit of caution you must exact, and it is allowing the applied glue to dry completely before using the denture. This is because these kinds of glues contain toxins that should not be ingested into the body, unlike glues in dental repair kits that do not contain any toxins. Not waiting for the glues to dry properly before using results in some of the risks associated with DIY denture fixes, ranging from irritations in your gum to ingesting toxins into your system.
4) Visit the dentist when you can:
You have repaired your broken dentures, which should serve you temporarily. Still, optimal functionality is not guaranteed because there are bound to be some deficiencies in the denture design after the break. This is why you should visit the dentist when you can, so you do not risk compromising your dental health.
However, you can forego seeing a dentist after a DIY broken denture fix when you are a dental engineer or technician. A dental engineer or technician is a professional that designs dental apparatus, like dentures. Hence, when the DIY fix is conducted by this professional, the intervention of a dentist is not necessary because the risks involved are minimised.
Conclusion
Having your dentures fixed yourself is a good idea, but what is a bad idea is not seeking the intervention of a dental professional after the DIY fix. This is because you expose your dental health to various risks, and these risks have been discussed in this article.
Do you need assistance with denture repairs Gold Coast or denture relines Gold Coast? Contact our Dentures at Varsity clinic today. One of our staff members will assist you immediately.