← All explanationsDenture fracture

My denture has broken. What should I do now?

A denture fracture is a crack or break in a removable denture, for example in its acrylic base, a denture tooth or a retaining clasp. Keep the pieces and contact your dental practice. Stop wearing parts that injure your mouth or fit very loosely, and do not glue them yourself. Whether repair is suitable depends on an assessment of the damage, the denture and your mouth.

For training & practice ↓

Fictional teaching model of an upper denture with a break in its pink acrylic base, placed in a white tray. — Broken upper denture shown as a teaching model · not a patient case

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Identify the damage

A cracked base, a broken denture tooth and a damaged clasp are different problems. A denture that is simply loose is not necessarily fractured. Tell the practice what happened and whether you have pain or an injury.

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Keep the pieces safe

Keep all pieces you can find in a clean, protected container and bring them to the appointment. Do not force them together, glue, heat or grind them. Leave an injuring or very loose part out of your mouth until you have advice.

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Check repair options and fit

The examination establishes whether repair is sufficient or other care is needed. Fit, wear and the mouth lining also matter. Closing a crack does not by itself mean that the denture fits well again.

Read the full explanation

Identify the damage
A cracked base, a broken denture tooth and a damaged clasp are different problems. A denture that is simply loose is not necessarily fractured. Tell the practice what happened and whether you have pain or an injury.
Keep the pieces safe
Keep all pieces you can find in a clean, protected container and bring them to the appointment. Do not force them together, glue, heat or grind them. Leave an injuring or very loose part out of your mouth until you have advice.
Check repair options and fit
The examination establishes whether repair is sufficient or other care is needed. Fit, wear and the mouth lining also matter. Closing a crack does not by itself mean that the denture fits well again.

Notes on the teaching images

Broken upper denture shown as a teaching model · not a patient case
Unchanged teaching model · do not glue broken parts yourself
Unchanged teaching model · repairability and fit still require assessment

Watch the short explanation ↓

At a glance

What if only one denture tooth is missing?

Keep the detached artificial tooth and have the denture checked. Do not glue it back yourself.

Can I reduce the risk of dropping it while cleaning?

Clean it over a soft towel or a basin filled with water. Dropping a denture can damage it.

What if problems keep recurring?

Repeated damage or an unstable fit are reasons to have the entire denture assessed. More adhesive is not a repair.

Knowledge in motion

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Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available as text.

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Often confused

Breakage, a loose fit and a sore spot are different

A fracture damages a component. A fit problem can make an otherwise intact denture rock; a sore spot affects the mouth lining. These problems can occur together. Adhesive does not join broken pieces, and relining alone does not replace fracture repair.

Quick answers

Can I fix my denture with superglue?

No. Household glue can damage denture acrylic and cannot replace a professional repair. A repair kit does not replace an examination either. Until you have dental advice, do not glue, file or heat the denture yourself.

Is a broken denture always an emergency?

A break without symptoms is not automatically a medical emergency. Still contact the practice promptly. Pain, an injury, marked swelling or bleeding that will not stop require urgent assessment. Mention these symptoms when you make contact.

Can it be repaired on the same day?

This cannot be promised before an assessment. The damage, material and arrangements for treatment affect what is possible. Ask whether repair, adjustment or replacement is appropriate and what temporary options exist. The term alone cannot establish a fixed time or price.

At the practice

For a personal discussion

Editorially suggested question to discuss with Dr Niusha Barahmand Pour:

Will repairing my denture be enough, or do its fit and loading need attention too?

A damaged denture should be examined together with its fit and the mouth lining.

Discuss a damaged dentureAppointment selection at Doctolib

Meet Dr. Niusha Barahmand Pour ↗

Learning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge

Denture base: The supporting part of a removable denture; depending on the design, it rests on the mouth lining.
Repair: Professional restoration of a damaged denture component.
Relining: Adapting the tissue-facing surface of the denture base to the mouth.

Make the distinction

Assess material damage, fit and the condition of the mouth lining separately. Deciding on repair involves more than joining two broken edges.

Knowledge questionWhat is most helpful when a denture has broken?

For learning, not for assessing personal symptoms. Your answer is not stored or sent.

Keep the pieces and have the damage and fit assessed.
Fill the gap with denture adhesive.
Grind the broken edges smooth at home.

View answer

Keep the pieces and have the damage and fit assessed.

An examination combines assessment of the technical damage with the findings in the mouth. Home repairs cannot replace this process.

Sources and context

Editorial research: 2026-11-08. General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.