A chipped or broken denture tooth can almost always be fixed, usually the same day. If the tooth came off in one piece, it can be set back in place: at Total Denture Repair that’s $120 for one tooth when you bring it in. If the tooth is chipped, cracked or lost, it’s usually replaced with a new tooth, and we give you a free quote first. Don’t glue it or file it down while you wait.
Here’s how to tell which repair you need, what each one costs, why denture teeth break, and how to keep it from happening again.
Chipped, cracked or came off: which repair do you need?
| What happened to the tooth | Usual fix | Price at Total Denture Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Came off in one piece, and you have it | Set back in place and bonded | $120 for one tooth, $175 for two, $235 for three |
| Chipped or cracked | Usually replaced with a new tooth | Free quote |
| Lost or swallowed | Replaced with a new tooth | Free quote |
| Broke off together with part of the pink base | Base repaired and tooth set back or replaced | Base repair from $150, plus the tooth |
More detail is on our denture teeth repair page. If the tooth fell out whole, our guide on what to do when a denture tooth falls out covers the first steps.
What should you do right now?
- Check for sharp edges. If the broken tooth catches your tongue or cheek, take the denture out until it’s repaired.
- Keep every piece, including chips and the tooth itself, in a clean bag or container.
- Don’t glue it. Glue in the socket has to be cleaned out before the tooth can be bonded properly (see can super glue fix dentures?).
- Don’t file or sand the tooth to smooth it yourself. You can end up removing more than you meant to.
- Stick to soft foods if you keep wearing it, and avoid biting with the damaged tooth.
How is a denture tooth repaired?
Reattaching a tooth: the socket the tooth sat in is cleaned, the tooth is set back at the right height and angle so your bite meets evenly, and it’s bonded with denture acrylic. The area is then smoothed and polished.
Replacing a tooth: the damaged tooth is removed and a new one is chosen to match the shape and color of your other teeth as closely as possible, then set and bonded the same way.
A very small chip on the edge of a tooth sometimes needs less work than that. Bring it in and we’ll tell you which repair makes sense. Most tooth repairs are finished the same day, and every repair has a 30-day warranty.
Why do denture teeth chip or break?
- Biting something hard: ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, bones or nut shells.
- Using your teeth as tools, for example to open packages or bottles.
- Dropping the denture onto a hard floor or sink.
- Grinding or clenching, often at night.
- A bite that no longer meets evenly because the denture’s fit has changed, which puts extra force on a few teeth. If this is the second tooth to break in the same area, have your dentist check the fit.
- Normal wear on an older denture.
How can you prevent it from happening again?
- Cut hard foods into small pieces and chew with your back teeth. Our list of foods to avoid with dentures helps.
- Clean your denture over a folded towel or a sink of water.
- Ask your dentist about grinding if you wake with a sore jaw.
- Get a loose tooth fixed before it falls out and gets lost. Reattaching a tooth costs less than replacing it.
Where can you get a denture tooth fixed?
In St. Louis, walk in to Total Denture Repair at 9495 Page Ave, Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM, with no appointment. Anywhere in the U.S., mail it to us with the free USPS label we send you. We repair it the day it arrives and return it free by Priority Mail. For the full price list, see our denture repair cost guide, or read the complete guide to broken dentures.
Frequently asked questions
Can I glue a denture tooth back on myself?
It’s best not to. A tooth glued at home rarely sits at exactly the right height, which throws off your bite, and the glue has to be removed before a proper repair. If you need a stopgap for a day or two, here’s what a denture repair kit can and can’t do.
How much does it cost to fix a chipped denture tooth?
A chipped tooth is usually replaced, and we give you a free quote first. If the tooth came off whole and you bring it, reattaching it is $120 for one tooth.
Will the new tooth match my other teeth?
A replacement tooth is chosen to match the shape and color of your other teeth as closely as possible, so it blends in.
Can teeth on a partial denture be fixed too?
Yes. Teeth on partials are reattached or replaced the same way. Our guide to a broken partial denture covers clasps and cracks as well.