What To Do If You’ve Broken Your Dental Appliances

Clearwater Dentists’ Expert Guide To Properly Dealing With a Broken Bridge, Crown, Implant Or Denture

It can happen in a variety of ways, from biting down on a piece of food to dropping it on the floor. The end result? A broken dental appliance. While it certainly stinks, it’s important to keep a clear head and act quickly.

Read on for the Clearwater dentist’s expert guide to properly dealing with a broken bridge, crown, implant or denture

What Can Cause Damage To Dental Appliances?

There are a number of ways that it can happen, and it can be from just plain or bad luck or it can be from carelessness on your part. Were you paying attention to the food that you were eating? Was it too hard or crunchy, like hard candy or nuts? That can cause a crack or a break. Don’t do things like bite on pen caps or pens. What about when you took your dentures out? Did you do it nice and easy or were you abrupt? Being rough with them can lead to the appliance being broken.

Are Broken Dental Appliances Considered Dental Emergencies?

Basically, yes, especially if they are something that takes up your whole mouth, like full dentures. Without the dentures, you won’t be able to chew food properly, and that can affect your digestion. If that is the case, then you should try to see your dentist as soon as possible. You might have to get a temporary set while the repair is being done, but it depends on what broke.

If they are things like crowns or bridges, you might have to wait over the course of a weekend or a holiday. In that case, you need to avoid drinks that are too hot or too cold. Also, be sure to brush your remaining teeth twice a day and keep the area clean to prevent bacteria and a possible infection setting in before you make it to your dentist’s office.

How Are Broken Dental Appliances Fixed?

This depends on the type of appliance that is broken. If it is a crown, your dentist will likely see if it is a chip or a complete break. If it is a chip, then they may put resin over it and smooth it out. If it is a bad break, then they will probably replace it with a new one … and an admonition to be more careful next time. As far as a bridge goes, they may be able to do dental bonding.

As far as dentures go, if it is one of the teeth that is broken, then they can likely replace them. If it turns out that the entire structure of the denture broke in half, then they may try to fix it (do NOT do this yourself with something like glue), but they will have to test to make sure that it fits well and has proper suction to your gums. Otherwise you may be looking at a replacement set.

What You Can Do To Prevent Broken Bridges, Crowns, Implants Or Dentures

Be careful. That’s the best advice that can be offered. Watch what you eat, make sure that they are not hard or crunchy. Those can do damage to your dental appliances. If you are going to play sports, it might be good to wear a mouthguard to protect your bridges, crowns or implants. When you take your dentures out, be very mindful of how you carry them … and be doubly sure that you don’t drop them, no matter how soft the carpet may seem. Also, soak your dentures overnight – this keeps them from becoming dry and brittle.

If your appliance is broken, the faster that you act, the better chances you have to either have it repaired or replaced with a minimum of waiting time. If it’s during the week, you have a good chance of reaching your dental professional. If it’s the weekend or a holiday, then you might have to either go to an emergency room or use a repair kit to temporarily fix it until you can see your Clearwater dentist as soon as possible.

In Case Of Broken Dental Appliances, Visit The Nearest Dentist Office In Clearwater, FL

In case of broken dental appliances, visit the nearest dentist office in Clearwater, FL. The staff at the Dental Emergency Room will carefully inspect your appliance and consult with you about what needs to be done next. After they do that, they will either repair it or fit you for a new one. Then you will be able to resume your regular life soon. Give them a call today to make an appointment – 727-449-2424.

Dental Emergency Room
1935 Drew Street,
Clearwater, Florida 33765
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: 727-449-2424