Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.

Port Dover Family Dentistry
Cracked denture, broken tooth or a fit that has loosened? Vanessa denture wearers can learn when to repair, when to reline and what to avoid trying at home.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for Vanessa and nearby farm families at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for VanessaKeep your denture working
Dentures take daily wear, and over time they can crack, lose a tooth or stop fitting as snugly as they once did. A repair addresses damage to the denture itself, while a reline reshapes the fitting surface to match changes in your gums and bone. Both can restore comfort and function without the cost of an entirely new denture.
For denture wearers in Vanessa, being without teeth even for a day can be a real inconvenience, especially with a drive into town involved. Call our Port Dover office to describe the problem, and ask how long a repair or reline is likely to take so you can plan accordingly.

Spotting problems
Cracks in the base, a chipped or missing tooth, a broken clasp on a partial denture or rough patches that rub the cheek are all reasons to call. Even a hairline crack can widen and eventually snap under chewing pressure. If the denture breaks into pieces, gather them all carefully in a bag or container and bring them along.
A denture that rocks, slips when you talk, traps food underneath, causes new sore spots or needs more and more adhesive may no longer fit well. Gums and bone shrink gradually after teeth are lost, so a once-comfortable denture can loosen over the years. A poor fit can irritate tissue and affect chewing, so have it checked.
What not to do
Household glues can be toxic, do not bond properly to denture materials and can distort the fit permanently. Over-the-counter reline kits may seem convenient but often create an uneven surface that can harm your gums and bite. Trying to bend clasps or file down sore spots yourself can also make things worse. Leave the adjustments to the dental team.
If the denture is cracked but wearable, wear it carefully and avoid hard foods until it is repaired. If it is broken or too uncomfortable, keep it moist and safe in its case. Soft foods such as eggs, soup and yogurt can help in the meantime. Ask the office whether a quick repair can be arranged.
Repair or reline
Many repairs, such as fixing a crack, reattaching a tooth or replacing a broken clasp, can be done by the dental lab. Some repairs may be completed quickly, while others take longer depending on the damage and lab schedules. The dentist will check the denture and your mouth to make sure the repair will restore a proper fit.
A reline adds new material to the fitting surface so the denture matches the current shape of your gums. A hard reline uses durable acrylic, while a soft reline uses a more flexible material that can be gentler on sensitive gums. The dentist will explain which type suits you and how long you may be without the denture.
Keeping it in shape
Clean the denture daily with a soft brush and a denture cleaner, and handle it over a folded towel or a basin of water so a slip does not break it. Store it in water or solution when it is out of your mouth so it does not dry and warp. Keep it away from hot water and curious pets.
Have your denture and gums checked regularly, even if everything feels fine. The dentist can spot early wear, cracks or changes in fit and examine your mouth for sore spots or other tissue changes. Many dentures need a reline every few years, and eventually a replacement when the teeth wear down or the base becomes thin.
Planning your appointment
Call our Port Dover office and describe what has happened to your denture. Ask whether a repair or reline can be completed the same day or will need to be sent out, so you can plan your trip.
Bring every piece of a broken denture, and mention any sore spots or changes in how it has felt lately.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
It is best not to. Household glues can be harmful, do not bond well to denture materials and may warp the fit, making a professional repair harder or impossible. Bring all the pieces to the dental office instead and avoid wearing a sharp broken denture.
Signs include a denture that feels loose, slips when you talk or eat, traps food underneath, causes new sore spots or needs more adhesive than before. The dentist can check the fit and recommend whether a reline would solve the problem.
It depends on the damage and whether the work can be done in-office or must go to a dental lab. Simple repairs may be quicker, while others take longer. Call ahead to ask what to expect before making the trip in.
Soft relines can be more comfortable for people with sensitive or thin gums, but they generally need replacing more often. Hard relines are more durable. The dentist will recommend which type suits your mouth and situation best.
If the denture is very old, repeatedly breaking, badly worn or no longer fits even after relining, replacement may be the better choice. The dentist will discuss whether repair still makes sense or a new denture would serve you better.
Dentures can restore chewing and a natural-looking smile. Vanessa patients can learn what getting dentures involves, how to adapt and how to keep them comfy.
Missing several or all teeth? Vanessa patients can compare complete and partial dentures, learn about fittings and plan their appointments in Port Dover.
Recognized year after year
Best Dentists in Norfolk
Proudly recognized among Norfolk’s top-rated dental practices for six consecutive years.

2021 Winner

2022 Winner

2023 Winner

2024 Winner

2025 Winner

2026 Winner
Stories from our patients
Watch a patient’s experience and browse more five-star reviews from people who have visited our Port Dover dental clinic.
Patient video
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
Google reviews
Swipe or use the arrows
Read all reviewsYour next visit can start today
New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday