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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Denture Repairs and Relines in Hillcrest
A cracked denture or one that has grown loose can often be fixed or refitted. Hillcrest denture wearers can arrange repairs and relines in Port Dover.
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Browse every service for HillcrestRestoring fit and function
A denture that no longer fits well can often be brought back.
Dentures can crack if they are dropped, teeth can come loose from the base and the fit can change gradually as the gums and underlying bone shrink. A loose denture may cause sore spots, make chewing difficult or slip when you speak or laugh. Repairs fix physical damage, while relines resurface the fitting side so it matches the current shape of your mouth.
Hillcrest residents who wear dentures can contact our Port Dover office about repairs and relines. The dentist will examine both the denture and your gums, then explain whether a repair, a reline or a new denture is the better choice, and how long you may need to manage without it.
Spotting problems
Small problems are easier to fix early.
Damage to the denture
Cracks, chips, broken clasps and loose or missing teeth all need attention. Even a hairline crack can spread with everyday use and lead to a complete break. Do not use household glue or home repair kits, since these can damage the material and may contain substances that are unsafe in the mouth. Keep any broken pieces together and bring them to the dentist.
Changes in fit
If your denture rocks, slips, needs more adhesive than it used to or keeps causing sore spots, the fit has probably changed. Clicking sounds when you speak or new difficulty chewing are other signs. These changes are common, because the jaw naturally reshapes after teeth are lost. A reline may restore a closer, more comfortable fit without the cost of a new denture.
Assessment
The dentist looks at both the appliance and your mouth.
Examining the denture
The dentist inspects the denture for cracks, worn teeth and the condition of the base, and considers how old it is and whether the teeth still meet properly. An older denture with heavily worn teeth may not work well even after relining, because the bite itself has changed. In that case a new denture might give a much better result.
Checking your gums
Your gums are checked for sore spots, inflammation and signs of infection beneath the denture. Persistent irritation should always be examined, and it may need treatment before a reline is done. The dentist will also look at how the jaw ridges have changed, since that influences whether a reline is likely to give a stable, comfortable result.
Repair or reline
The solution depends on what has changed.
Repairs
Many repairs, such as fixing a crack or replacing a broken tooth, are handled by a dental laboratory. The dentist may take an impression first if a new tooth is needed. Ask how long the denture will be away and whether any temporary solution is available while it is out. Simple repairs are often quicker than more complex ones involving clasps or several teeth.
Relines
A reline adds new material to the fitting surface so it hugs the current shape of your gums more closely. A hard reline is durable and long lasting, while a soft reline may be used for tender or sensitive gums. Relines can be done in the office or by a laboratory. The dentist will explain which type suits you and why.
Afterwards
A refreshed fit may take a few days to feel normal.
Adjusting to the change
After a reline, the denture may feel tighter or simply different for a while. Minor sore spots can appear and usually need only a quick adjustment. Contact the office if discomfort lasts more than a few days. Return to your normal foods gradually, and practise speaking aloud until your words feel natural again with the refreshed fit.
Preventing future damage
Handle dentures over a folded towel or a basin of water so a slip does not end in a break. Clean them daily with a non-abrasive cleaner and store them in water or a recommended solution when they are out. Bring them to regular checkups so the dentist can monitor fit and condition before small issues become larger, more costly ones.
Planning your appointment
Getting your denture seen from Hillcrest.
Call our Port Dover office to explain the problem with your denture and roughly how long you have had it. The team will advise on the next appropriate appointment and give you an idea of how long a repair or reline is likely to take.
Bring the denture and any broken pieces in a clean container, and ask whether you will need to be without it for a period of time.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Repair and reline questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
How often should dentures be relined?
It varies, because everyone’s mouth changes at a different rate. The dentist will check the fit at regular visits and recommend a reline when the denture becomes loose, starts rocking or begins causing sore spots that keep coming back.
Can I repair my denture myself?
Home repair kits and household glues are not recommended. They can damage the denture, change how it fits and may not be safe to use in the mouth. Contact the office instead so the denture can be repaired properly and checked for fit.
Will I be without my denture during repair?
Some repairs and relines require the denture to be sent to a laboratory, which may mean a short period without it. Ask about timing when you book so you can plan around it. Simpler adjustments can sometimes be completed much more quickly.
Should I use more adhesive if my denture is loose?
Needing more adhesive than usual is often a sign that the fit has changed. Adhesive may help for a short time, but a reline or adjustment is usually a better and more comfortable long-term solution. Ask the dentist for an assessment.
When is a new denture better than a reline?
If the denture is old, heavily worn, breaking repeatedly or no longer gives you a proper bite, a new one may work far better. The dentist will explain the reasoning and compare the costs and benefits of each option with you.
Other denture information
Additional Services →Dentures →
Thinking about dentures? Hillcrest patients can learn how our Port Dover dentists plan, fit and adjust removable teeth, and what daily life with them is like.
Complete and Partial Dentures →
Missing several teeth or all of them? Hillcrest patients can compare complete and partial dentures at our Port Dover office and plan fittings and adjustments.