Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Short Term Solutions
• Method 2 of 2: Fixing Your Denture in the Dental Office
• Tips

A denture helps in the absence of teeth, but it can become uncomfortable and therefore needs periodic maintenance. After a few years, scuffs and chips appear and you will have to change or repair your denture. Do not try to repair a denture yourself! There are methods to temporarily relieve your discomfort, but you still have to visit your dentist.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Short Term Solutions

1. 1 Apply dental wax to the sharp parts of the denture. If your denture is chipped, it can create a sharp edge and hurt your tongue and mouth with it. Until you visit your dentist, you can use dental wax: just slide your finger along the edge of the denture and identify sharp points, then apply dental wax directly to them and insert the jaw.
   • Dental wax is a short-term solution to the problem. From time to time it will fall off and you will have to reapply it. For a long-term solution to the problem, you will have to visit your dentist.
2. 2 Use dental glue for loose dentures. After a while, the denture begins to weaken, this is a normal phenomenon, it is caused by a decrease in the gums. If your denture begins to fall off while eating or is loose on your gums, try using dental denture glue until you can go to the dentist, which is freely available in pharmacies. This product comes with instructions, they usually look like this:
   • Remove the denture and place the gum-contacting surface towards you.
   • Apply the adhesive to three different areas of the denture, one to the anterior area, one to the posterior right, and one to the posterior left.
   • Place the prosthesis back into the mouth. He should sit much tighter.
   • Remember that this glue, like dental wax, is only temporary and you will have to go to the dentist for a longer lasting effect.
3. 3 Remove your denture. If the glue and wax don't work, remove your denture and give your gums a little rest. Don't try to fix them yourself. See your dentist.

Method 2 of 2: Fixing Your Denture in the Dental Office

1. 1 Let your dentist examine your denture. Tell him if you have pain or a loose fit of your prosthesis. Make sure he carefully examines your denture for cracks, sharp edges, scratches, surface irregularities, and unrolled flanges.
2. 2 Ask for a denture dressing. After examining the prosthesis and detecting any non-compliance with the norms, the doctor may recommend a correction of the prosthesis. By using a low-revving hand sander with acrylic attachments, your dentist can remove excess material and flatten your denture.
   • The low revving hand sander generates less heat, thus not damaging your denture. Also, your dentist has several different acrylic tips with different angles and surface finishes so that he can make repairs.
3. 3 Polish your denture. Once the denture has been straightened, your dentist will be able to grind the denture (the gum side of the denture is an exception, as this can compromise its size). Polishing the denture will make it smoother and shinier.
4. 4 Check the fit of the denture. After straightening and polishing, the dentist will check the fit of the denture. It is very important to tell your doctor if your denture is pressing or uncomfortable for you. Then he or she will check for possible causes of the problem:
   • The dentist will check the length of the flanges. Flanges that are too long can cause mouth fullness, impaired speech, muscle strain and possible sagging of the dentures. If there is such a problem, then the prosthesis should be modified.
   • The dentist will also examine the adequacy of the lip tension, this will allow you to have a natural smile without over-stretching your lips. Let your dentist know if you feel inadequate lip support, if so, your dentist will need to correct the denture.
   • Your dentist will check your speech purity. He may ask you to read the text clearly and distinctly, paying attention to any pronunciation errors. Paying particular attention to hissing sounds. If abnormalities are present, your doctor will remove excess material from the palate.
   • The dentist will also check the height of the denture. The denture should restore your normal bite height. Excessive or insufficient bite height will pull muscles and reshape the face. If this problem is present, your dentist will take new measurements and fabricate a new denture.
5. 5 Check the bite. Your dentist should also check for correct bite and jaw fit. He will ask you to bite something and check for donut marks, which indicate premature contact. If available, your dentist will process and correct the prosthesis.
6. 6 See your dentist regularly. Even if your denture will fit perfectly, you still need to see your dentist regularly. After a while, your oral cavity will change: you may lose another tooth, your gums may shrink, your teeth may become loose or discolored. Your dentist should pay attention to this and suggest an appropriate treatment. In addition, he or she can clean your denture and advise on a procedure to keep it clean.
   • A thoroughly washed and well-groomed denture will help prevent oral problems such as candidiasis or gum disease, and bad breath. Remember to take good care of your denture.

Tips

• For a visit to the doctor, you should not wait until your prosthesis becomes terribly uncomfortable. Visit your dentist regularly and make sure your denture is checked regularly.