Broken Clasps on Partial Dentures

If you have partial dentures, damages are inevitably going to happen. From everyday wear and tear to broken pieces, accidents happen that may result in needing new or repaired dentures. Even if you take great care of your dentures, they usually only last between five to eight years. During that time, your dentures go through a lot and may start to break down over time. If there any broken pieces, like a broken clasp, you may want to schedule a consultation with a general dentist.

What are partial dentures?

Partial dentures are a type of denture comprised of false teeth that are attached to a gum-colored base. The base is usually made up of plastic. However, it is often connected by metal to keep the dentures properly in place in the mouth. In conventional removable partial dentures, the metal clasps attach to the surrounding teeth to keep the dentures in place. Partial dentures are popular because they help fill spaces made by missing teeth. They also keep any existing natural teeth from shifting around.

Fortunately, with partial dentures, it is usually pretty simple to repair cracks and plastic pieces that may break off over time. Even if a metal clasp breaks, a dentist can fix it by embedding wire into the denture base and clipping it around a tooth. No matter what the damage is, whether it is a broken clasp or crack, it is important to have the dentures repaired as soon as possible. When wearers continue to wear damaged dentures for prolonged periods, it may result in gum irritation such as soreness and inflammation. In severe cases, a denture wearer’s ability to chew and speak may even become affected. A damaged denture may also increase the risk of infection along the gums.

What to do if a denture clasp breaks

When a clasp breaks, it is important not to panic. The first thing to do is reach out to a general dentist for a consultation. During that meeting with a general dentist, the damage will be assessed. The dentist will then decide whether the broken clasp can be fixed quickly or if the entire denture will have to be replaced. If it needs a total replacement, the dentures may be shipped to a denturist. Once fixed, the dentures will have to be refitted and adjusted to the patient.

Get help for the broken clasps on your dentures

When denture clasps break, it may compromise the stability and overall fit of the dentures. There is also a risk of complications such as inflammation, infections and other oral issues. Therefore, it is important to have broken denture clasps looked at by general dentists or denturists. You should not attempt to repair the broken metal clasps yourself. In addition, it is never a good idea to wear broken dentures for an extended period of time. For help with a broken clasp, contact a general dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com or call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132 for an appointment in our Coral Gables office.

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