Steps to Take When Your Dental Appliances Break

Millions of people deal with problems with their teeth, and dental appliances, like bridges, retainers, implants, and dentures, are often great solutions. With 4 million people (25% of which are adults) in the United States wearing braces and an increasing number of adults getting implants and dentures due to tooth loss, these restorative options are vital to dental health in America. 

Whatever type of dental device you have, taking care of it is essential. So if they get damaged or broken, you’ll need to know what steps to take next. Let’s look at the reasons your dental appliance may break, what you can do, and when to get help. 

Residents of Mamaroneck, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut, looking for help with their dental appliances and other tooth problems can find it with Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and the skilled medical team at All Bright Dental. We offer state-of-the-art treatments to prevent and care for a variety of dental conditions.

Reasons why your dental appliance might break

Dental appliances are complex. The process isn’t perfect and adjustments may need to be made. And if you don’t care for your dental device properly, you may experience issues. 

If a dental appliance doesn’t fit properly, it can lead to issues, such as slipping and falling out, bending, fracturing, or breaking. It could also poke into your gums or cause other damage to your mouth. 

Any of these issues can make eating or speaking more difficult, and any damage to your mouth can be painful. Proper care of these devices will improve their longevity. Furthermore, knowing how to manage basic problems will also help significantly.

What you can do to manage issues with your dental appliance

Here’s how you can manage basic problems with your dental device:

Braces/retainers

Damage to braces or retainers can cause them to injure your cheeks and gums. This issue can be managed with orthodontic wax (sold in pharmacies). If it breaks or you lose a part of it, contact our team to have it repaired or replaced.

Bridges/crowns/fillings

You shouldn’t use any broken dental bridges, caps, fillings, or crowns. While you’re waiting to see our team, eat foods that are easy to chew and swallow, avoid hot and cold drinks, use a soft toothbrush, and take pain medication if necessary. 

Dentures

If you’re dealing with dentures that don’t fit properly, don’t try to force them in place. Do not try to repair broken dentures. Instead, take them to our team as soon as possible. 

When to get help

Any time you have problems with a dental appliance, it’s essential to let our team know. The above steps can help you stay comfortable and prevent further damage to the device and your teeth, but if they need replacement or repair, don’t hesitate to call our team. 

With proper care for your dental appliance, you can enjoy eating and optimal oral function. But if you have problems and need help, make an appointment with Dr. Kravets and All Bright Dental right away.