Repairing dentures at home - methods, technology step by step

The most common service in dentistry is prosthetics. If the dentist performs it correctly, a person’s teeth will become straight and their smile will be attractive. Since a large load is created on the jaw during chewing, situations may occur in which structural elements are damaged. You need to figure out how to fix a denture at home without resorting to the services of a dentist.

When to repair a structure

The materials in dentures are highly durable, but over time they can wear out or even break. Many people who use a prosthesis every day experience damage that requires emergency repairs.

There are the following reasons why device correction may be required:

the crowns acquire a defective shade, for example, yellow or brown;
the appearance of discomfort, pain, which previously did not bother the patient when using the structure;
detachment, crack, puncture, peeling or other defects causing discomfort or loss of function;
mechanical damage when clenching teeth, chewing hard elements.

If a breakdown occurs, it is better to contact your dentist directly so that he can repair the product without causing further defects. But there are times when immediate contact with a specialist is impossible. For example, if a person is away. Then temporary repairs can be done at home.

It is important not to damage the structure yourself, since repairing it will cost much less than buying a new prosthesis. There may also be breakdowns that a person cannot handle, for example, if repairs require the use of specific medical instruments.

First steps in the event of a broken orthopedic structure

If the base part is broken, do not try to glue it together yourself. There are many “advisers” on the Internet, but it is not advisable to follow unprofessional recommendations. Otherwise, you may miss the opportunity to repair the product and permanently damage it. And then you will have to order a new prosthesis.

Therefore, first of all, contact the clinic where you installed this structure. An orthopedic dentist will provide you with professional assistance in this situation. At the reception specialist:

inspect the damaged structure;
will evaluate the possibility of repairing it;
will inform you about further actions.

If the module is repairable, it will be sent to a dental laboratory. In just a couple of days, the integrity of the prosthetic system will be restored. If the warranty period has not expired, repairs are made free of charge.

It is not always possible to repair the base part; for example, it is almost impossible to repair old nylon dentures that are more than two years old. In this case, you will be offered the manufacture of a new product.

Damaging factors

The use of dentures is very convenient for people who have lost part of their teeth or the entire dentition. This is a life-saving design, thanks to which the chewing function is fully restored. If it is installed in a timely manner, there will be no defect in the soft tissues or jaw bones. After installation, the dentist warns about the following features:

rules of daily care;
possible types of defects for which you will need to seek help from a dentist;
rules for installing and removing the structure.

A small defect or complete breakdown of a denture can happen at the most inopportune moment. this :

end of service life;
impact on various objects, hard surfaces, which occurs when removing or installing a prosthesis;
improper manufacturing of the system, use of low-quality materials;
the appearance of bubbles that remain between the prosthesis and the person’s own tissues makes it difficult to use the prosthesis.

If a denture breaks, the patient may not notice it and will continue to use it. This may lead to the following consequences:

damage to a person’s own tissues, for example, if a chip appears on the prosthesis;
worsening defects on the prosthesis, for example, a small crack can lead to a complete split of the structure.

Both part of the structure and the entire product may break. It all depends on the extent of the damage. It is necessary to quickly make a decision on the repair method in order to prevent complications and maintain the integrity of the structure.

Fixing spacers

This remedy is most often used during the first weeks of wearing a prosthetic structure. Accustoming to a foreign product in the oral cavity occurs differently in different patients. Some experience increased salivation, while others experience discomfort and problems chewing food. Products made of soft fibrous fabric allow you to very carefully fix the prosthesis on the gum. At the same time, they attach well, do not change the bite and protect the gum tissue from rubbing or pressure from the prosthesis. Before applying the fixing gasket, it should be immersed in warm water to wet it. As soon as the product is saturated with water, it can be placed on the inner surface of the prosthesis.

The main indications for using a fixing gasket are:

significant deformation of the gums as a result of prolonged absence of teeth;
individual features of the jaw structure;
atrophic changes in the bone tissue of the upper or lower jaws.

Experts recommend changing retaining pads daily and not neglecting the rules of oral hygiene. It is necessary to regularly clean both the gums and teeth, and the prosthetic device itself. Otherwise, if there are food residues or oil stains on the base of the prosthesis, the gasket will not be fully fixed.

Patients who use this type of prosthesis fixation recognize its obvious advantages:

protection of the gums from contact with polymer materials of the prosthesis;
long-lasting and high-quality fixation for 8 hours;
absence of allergic reactions and irritation of gum tissue;
effective correction of tissue adhesion during gum deformation;
antiseptic and aromatic additional effect.

Recovery Features

Many people are afraid to go to the dentist when defects appear, because they believe that repairs will be expensive. But it is better to repair a small defect in a timely manner than to completely replace the structure. Features of the restoration of the product depend on the cause of the damage and the degree of development of the defects. The recovery method takes place in stages:

Removal and inspection of the structure
. If there are particles of dirt on the surface, the structure is completely cleaned.
Uses of Dental Resin
. Damaged particles stick together to create a sealed state. You can achieve an appearance that does not differ from the original quality.
Evaluation of the shade of the structure
. Its color is affected by drinking caffeine and strong tea, and smoking cigarettes. If contamination is detected, the surface must be cleaned. This should only be done by a dentist using specialized medical solutions. He will achieve the original, ideal shade of the crowns.
Chips of a small part or the entire crown
. There is no need to worry about this; even if a large part of the column breaks off, it can be restored. For this purpose, they turn to a dental technician to strengthen the broken product into place.

If a piece breaks off from a denture, you should not throw it away. Together with him, they contact a dentist or dental technician, he will help restore the integrity of the structure.

Situation No. 1: there are problems with the appearance and shape of the crown

Nature of defects

As a rule, the integrity of the outer covering of the crowns is compromised. Unsightly chips, small scratches and cracks appear on them. Some patients also complain of the structures changing color from white to yellow.

The photo shows a chipped crown

How the problem is solved

If chips and cracks occur, it is possible to repair the denture directly in the patient’s mouth. The doctor can restore the beauty and integrity of the crown using composite materials and photopolymers. Moreover, this can be easily done both with a broken piece of the crown (then it is glued in place) and without it. As for changing the shade of artificial restorations, this cannot be done by bleaching or other procedures. You can only exchange an old product for a new one if this is a very important issue for the patient.

To prevent the restorations from changing color, immediately after their installation, carefully monitor your oral hygiene, stop smoking and drinking too bright foods and drinks (for example, beets, red wine). Or initially choose crowns from materials that are least amenable to staining, for example, zirconium dioxide. And be sure to do professional hygiene 1-2 times a year.

For such problems, in most cases the crown will not need to be removed. However, if an inflammatory process has developed underneath it (caries, periodontitis, periostitis), then you will have to dismantle the structure to get to the root canals, where the infection usually “sits”, and after treatment, make and install a new one.

Bonding materials

In the process of creating a crown, only materials with a high degree of strength are used. But even in this case, small chips and cracks are possible. You can eliminate them yourself. But it is important to understand that home renovations are only a temporary measure. As soon as the patient has the time and opportunity, he should see a dentist.

If repairs are initially carried out at home, dentists give the following recommendations:

Preheat the device to allow the wax to melt. This technique is typical only for removable structures, so as not to damage a person’s own tissue.
Giving the correct shape to the gypsum base. It should be cone-shaped. To change the shape, the prosthesis is repeatedly exposed to heat.
When the device has cooled, the gluing area is treated with sandpaper so that there are no rusty particles left on the surface that scratch the gums.
Fastening the fallen part of the crown to the structure. It is important to place it in the exact location, not to mix it up, otherwise severe discomfort will occur.
Bonding the crowns and the base of the structure using wax or other auxiliary material. The glue must be reliable, but safe, it must not damage the device.
Wait for the structure to dry and cool. The adhesive substance should not get on the soft tissues in the person’s mouth. The remaining excess wax that has spread around the edges is removed.

Bonding may require more than just wax. To achieve a more stable fixation, it is recommended to purchase special glue from a dental store. It is intended specifically for dentures. Once glued, the device can be reused, but it is important to understand that this will not last long. The structure glued in this way can be damaged again, so it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner. It is unacceptable to further damage the system during repairs, otherwise restoration of integrity by the dentist may not occur.

Indications for the use of fixing materials

Many people ask whether it is always necessary to use additional means to fix dentures? Most often, such means are used:

for the reliability of using the prosthesis (to facilitate biting and chewing food, to eliminate the fear of losing the prosthesis when speaking);
people whose profession involves increased demands on appearance or voice (teachers, musicians, speakers);
with dry mouth due to diseases (stroke, etc.) or taking certain medications, in elderly patients.

Removable denture repair

To carry out the repair procedure yourself requires skill and a little experience. The patient must decide whether he can eliminate the defect on his own, or whether it is better to go straight to the dentist. There are certain risks in the process of such actions:

greater damage to the device;
improper repair leading to malocclusion;
the presence of chips and rough surfaces that cause damage to adjacent soft tissues.

If you repair the product yourself, you may not be able to fully restore its functionality.

If you contact a professional dentist and dental technician in a timely manner, the product can be completely repaired in a few days and its functions will be restored. The integrity of the structure is restored in full. To do this, dentists follow step-by-step instructions in restoring the integrity of the prosthesis using medical equipment.

Repair instructions for plate dentures:

Detection of a defect, application of the damaged structure to the location. Fixation is carried out using sticky wax or medical glue.
Application of an insulating agent. It is installed from the side of the prosthetic bed. This prevents the plastic structure and plaster from sticking together. You cannot do this with your hands; use a brush or brush.
Formation of a fixing model from plaster. Only top class materials are used. The denture needs to be divided and the fracture lines processed with a micromotor or cutter. Individual parts of the structure are installed using a fixing model. The dentist ensures that the distance between the fixation models in the area of the fracture does not exceed 3 mm.
Forming a fold. The bevel angle should be 45° in relation to the base of the device. This will create a smooth transition between the old and new areas of plastic. They will be connected in a better shape.
Application of an insulating agent. It is used on the surface of plaster so that the adhesive material does not absorb liquids spreading from plastics. Otherwise, large pores will form. As soon as the parts of the prosthesis have been fixed with monomer, they begin to knead the plastic. This action occurs in stages.
The plastic prepared according to plan should swell. It is transferred to the prosthetic areas with a reserve. Then press a little with your fingers. The resulting product is transferred to the apparatus to polymerize the plastic.

At the final stage, excess plastic must be removed. For this purpose, a micromotor and a press are used. The surface is leveled with medical instruments intended for grinding. After polishing the surface, the product is treated with antiseptic solutions. It is ready to use.

Is it possible to glue a prosthesis with Moment glue?

Instant glue “Second”, “Moment”, “Super” and other trade names are available for sale. The point is not in the title, but in the content. This is cyanoacrylate. A substance that has excellent adhesion to most polymeric and inorganic substances. Its main advantage is its very fast setting.

It is ideally suited for gluing plastics. It would seem that there is no need to invent any special compositions - just apply a few drops of “Super Moment” and the prosthesis is ready for use again.

Not so simple. There are more negative points than positive ones:

The glue contains a deadly cyanide base;
“Super” glue is poorly resistant to aggressive environments and water. In them it quickly collapses. Microorganisms living in the oral cavity destroy the adhesive bond in 14-20 days. After this, the prosthesis will have to be repaired again.
During the gluing process, a bead of dissolved acrylate is formed. In sensitive people, it can injure the palate and tongue.
The glue is extremely fluid. It is difficult to accurately apply it to the edge of the fracture. Leaked glue dissolves the surface of the prosthesis and makes it rough. Because of this, the effect of suction to the palate is reduced. The prosthesis begins to wobble. Residues of food accumulate under it.
It can only be used in an emergency situation, far from the centers of civilization. A prosthesis repaired in this way is not subject to warranty repair. And for restoration in a workshop you will have to pay at least double the price.

In conclusion, it remains to be stated that any dental workshop is a faithful and reliable friend in matters of repair and restoration of dentures.
Moscow metro station Zvezdnaya, Danube Avenue, 23

Recovery technique in the clinic

At the dental clinic, the doctor initially examines the device visually. It should be examined by a dental technician. If pieces of food and other foreign objects are stuck in the denture, pre-clean it. Only after this can you accurately see all the defects and begin the restoration of the structure. If you exclude the cleaning step, the adhesive will not be able to completely fix the broken product. Then the repair procedure will be ineffective. Only after cleaning can high-quality sealing be achieved.

If the defects in the device are excessively large, the dentist will recommend completely replacing the structure. This is due to the following features:

saving money, since repairs may require similar financial resources as major repairs;
the possibility of a lack of quality effect during repairs; the base will continue to break, damage tissues, and disrupt the bite.

Only if minor chips or cracks appear on the prosthesis, it can be restored. For example, if a small chip occurs on the crowns, remove the device and fix it. Why install the crown in place? The result should be a product that is not inferior in function to new prostheses.

Many patients believe that they can handle the repair themselves. But there is a big difference between home bonding and professional services. At home, you can make a little adjustment to the design before going to the dentist. Complete repairs can only be carried out by a competent dental technician. He must have specialized tools at hand in order to carry out high-quality restoration.

The patient does not have solutions or tools at home that will return the whiteness to the crowns on the prosthesis. Periodically, it is necessary to restore the shade in order for the prosthesis to perform an aesthetic function. It should completely replace the appearance of real teeth.

It is not always possible to achieve high-quality restoration after repair, even from a dentist. For example, if a stamped device or a product without metal is damaged, it cannot be repaired.

Fixing powder

It is made from sodium alginate, which contains natural substances that are biologically compatible with living gum tissue. The principle of using the powder is the same as that of a cream or fixing pad. A small amount of fixing powder is applied to the previously cleaned denture, the device is immediately put on the teeth and bonding occurs. Fixing powder, unlike fixing creams or pads, is usually available without aromatic or flavoring additives.

Repair price

The cost of restoring the quality of a denture after repair depends on the following factors:

the complexity of the work performed by a dental technician;
product material;
area and degree of damage.

For example, if a patient’s metal-ceramic structure is slightly broken, repairs can reach up to 2,000 rubles.

The following approximate price list is highlighted:

installation of a new artificial crown - 2500 rubles;
professional cleaning and whitening of crowns, basics of the device - 1000 rubles;
restoration of crown shade when drinking coffee, after prolonged smoking - 1200 rubles.

If you carry out the restoration yourself, the price will be significantly lower, but the entire structure will not be able to regain its original appearance. The damage may recur or continue to get worse.

Creams and gels

Fixing a denture with cream or gel, which to choose? Both of these remedies are identical in their effectiveness and method of use. The only difference between them is the greater fluidity of the gels with the ability to form a thinner layer. Creams have a denser consistency and contain an additive of aromatic oils.

Rules for the use of gels and creams for dentures

Typically, experts recommend using creams to fix dentures immediately after prosthetics because of their ease of dosing and use.

But the amount of gel is more difficult to correctly calculate. If you increase its amount, the gel will not harden and hold the prosthesis normally.

Creams are applied to the lower segment of the denture, which is then pressed firmly against the gums. The creams reliably fix the structure for 12-24 hours.

The cream is especially recommended for patients with excessive salivation.

The most common and high-quality fixation creams are Rocs, Lacalut, Protefix, President, Corega, etc.

To choose the right means of fixation, you need to know such subtleties

It is better to choose gels and creams with neutral scents. Fragrances in them are contraindicated for people with allergies.
Preference should be given to waterproof products due to their longer action and better tightness. Waterproof types of compositions better protect against the penetration of food under the prosthesis and the development of unpleasant odors or inflammation.
It is better to avoid using products containing zinc due to its toxic effect on the body (nervous and skeletal systems).
Products with a gel-like consistency are more economical due to the ability to form a thinner layer during fixation.

Repair methods for dental technicians

When contacting a specialist, the repair method is determined after examining the damaged dental structure. To eliminate the defect, the use of specialized equipment and additional materials may be required. Each of the repair methods discussed below has certain nuances of implementation and requires a professional approach.

Filling with plastic

To fill a crack in a denture, dental technicians perform a series of steps in sequence. Including:

Before shaping the product, the surface is degreased with monomer. The damaged area is then filled with molten plastic and the material is smoothed out by hand.
To ensure an even coating, professionals often use dental instruments with thin bases of different shapes.
The surface of the plastic is covered with a moistened cellophane plate and placed in a dental press to fix the material.
If there is excess plastic, it is cut off along the edge of the product.
The structure is placed in a polymerizer, which provides slow heating, boiling and cooling. This method of polymerization reliably bonds the plastic to the main part and has a positive effect on the final quality.

Dental resin

Dental resin is used to build up the damaged area. The specialist selects a composite material of a suitable shade and applies it to the site of the chip or crack. Resin augmentation is convenient when chipping a small piece of a prosthesis.

Wax

Wax is intended for modeling facets, crowns and other parts of fixed dentures. The composition for working with dental products is based on paraffin, natural resin and natural wax. The advantages of the material include:

low thermal shrinkage;
ash content up to 0.02%;
easy modeling using dental instruments;
formation of dry and inviscid chips.

Laser welding

The laser solderless welding process creates a tear-resistant weld that has improved twist, displacement and flex characteristics compared to a soldered weld. The technology eliminates the occurrence of cracks and deformation of the product, ensuring high precision adhesion of individual parts.

Single tooth restoration

Artistic restoration of an individual tooth is a set of measures that help eliminate aesthetic errors. The result of restoration is changing the irregular shape of the teeth, adjusting their position, filling the interdental space, and changing the shade of the enamel. By restoring the tooth, you can partially or completely get rid of the prosthesis.

If the clasp or fastening lock is broken

Clasp systems and fastening locks mechanically hold the dentures in one place, preventing displacement. The breakdown of one of the parts requires a complete replacement, since broken small mechanisms can rarely be repaired.