Most broken dentures can be repaired instead of replaced. Cracks, clean breaks, broken or missing teeth and many broken partial clasps are usually fixed the same day, often within a few hours, and at Total Denture Repair a single crack repair starts at $150. If your denture feels loose, rubs or hurts, that is a fit problem for your dentist, not something a repair can fix.
Use this guide as your starting point for broken denture repair: the five common kinds of damage, what each repair costs, how long it takes, walk-in vs mail-in, and how to prevent the next break. Each section links to a more detailed article.
How do you fix broken dentures safely?
If you are wondering how to fix broken dentures at home, the honest answer is: don’t. The safe fix is a professional repair. But what you do in the first hour can keep a simple repair simple.
- Take the denture out. Stop wearing it if it is cracked, has a sharp edge, or no longer sits right. A broken edge can cut your gums or tongue, and chewing on a crack can make it longer.
- Collect every piece, including any teeth that came off. Missing pieces make a repair harder.
- Put the pieces in a denture case or a small zip bag so the broken edges don’t rub and chip.
- Don’t glue anything. Household glues are not made for use in the mouth, and even a thin layer changes how the pieces line up. See can super glue fix dentures.
- Don’t file, sand or bend anything, especially a metal clasp on a partial.
For more detail on each step, see our guide on what to do if your denture breaks.
What kind of denture damage do you have?
The type of damage decides how it is repaired, what it costs, and whether you need your dentist too.
1. A crack in the denture base
A crack is a line in the pink base that has not split all the way through. Cracks often run down the middle of an upper denture, where the base flexes each time you bite. Every meal puts stress on a crack, so it can turn into a full break. Drops, hard foods and a loose fit are the usual causes, as explained in what causes dentures to crack or break.
2. A denture broken into pieces
A denture that has snapped in two can usually still be repaired, as long as the pieces fit back together cleanly and nothing is missing. Our full denture crack and break repair service covers both.
3. A broken, chipped or missing tooth
Denture teeth can chip, crack or pop off the base. If a tooth came off and you still have it, keep it with the denture, because it can often be put back. If it is lost or badly broken, a new replacement tooth can be set in its place. See denture teeth repair and replacement.
4. A broken clasp on a partial denture
Clasps are the small arms that hold a partial denture onto your natural teeth. They can break or loosen, for example after being bent or dropped. A broken clasp can often be repaired or replaced through partial denture repair. But if the natural tooth the clasp holds onto is broken, loose or sore, see your dentist first.
5. A loose, worn or uncomfortable fit
Your gums and jawbone slowly change shape over the years, so a denture that once fit well can start to feel loose, rock or rub. A repair can’t fix that. It usually needs a reline (a new fitting surface) or a new denture from your dentist. It still matters here, because a loose denture flexes more and cracks more easily. Not sure which you need? Read how to tell if your dentures need relining instead of repair.
How much does broken denture repair cost?
Denture repair cost depends on the type of damage and how many cracks or teeth are involved. This table shows Total Denture Repair’s starting prices for each type, and when to go to your dentist instead:
| Type of damage | Usually repairable? | Typical starting price | Where to go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crack in the base | Yes | $150 for 1 crack ($179 for 2, $269 for 3) | Total Denture Repair (walk in or mail in) |
| Denture broken into pieces | Usually, if all pieces are there | From $150, priced by the number of breaks | Total Denture Repair (walk in or mail in) |
| Tooth came off and you have it | Yes | $120 for 1 tooth ($175 for 2, $235 for 3) | Total Denture Repair |
| Tooth lost or badly broken | Yes, with a new tooth | Free quote | Total Denture Repair |
| Broken clasp on a partial | Often | Free quote | Total Denture Repair; your dentist if the natural tooth is damaged |
| Loose, rocking or rubbing fit | No, it needs a reline or a new denture | Ask your dentist | Your dentist |
| Pain, sores, bleeding or swelling | Not a repair problem | Ask your dentist | Your dentist |
These are starting prices, so more complex damage can cost more. In most cases a repair costs less than a new denture, and you keep a denture you are already used to. For a fuller breakdown, see how much denture repair costs in St. Louis.
Should you repair it, replace it, or see your dentist?
A repair restores a broken denture. It does not change how the denture fits your mouth.
A repair is usually the right choice when:
- The denture fit well and felt comfortable before it broke.
- All the pieces are there and fit back together.
- The damage is a crack, a clean break, a tooth or a clasp.
Ask your dentist about a reline or a new denture when:
- The denture was loose, rocking or rubbing before it broke.
- The same spot has cracked more than once. Repeat breaks often point to a fit problem.
- Pieces are missing, or the denture is broken in several places.
- The teeth are worn so flat that chewing is hard.
See your dentist before a repair, or instead of one, if you have:
- Pain, sore spots, bleeding or swelling in your mouth
- Signs of infection
- A broken or loose natural tooth under a partial denture
- A change in how your bite feels
If you think you swallowed or breathed in a piece of a denture, get medical help right away. We repair dentures; we don’t do oral exams, fittings or medical advice.
How long does denture repair take? Walk-in vs mail-in
Most repairs at Total Denture Repair are finished the same day, and many within a few hours. What changes the total time is how your denture gets to us. For what can make a repair take longer, see how long denture repair takes.
Walking in (St. Louis area)
If you live in or near St. Louis, walking in is the fastest option. Bring your denture and every piece to 9495 Page Ave, St. Louis, MO 63132, Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM (closed weekends). Walk-ins are welcome, and you can often have it back the same day. Broke your only denture? Read about emergency denture repair in St. Louis.
Mailing it in (if you are not nearby)
- Order your repair online.
- We send you a free USPS shipping label.
- Pack the denture and all the pieces with padding so nothing moves, then send it.
- We repair it the same day we receive it.
- We send it back free by USPS Priority Mail. USPS Express return is available for $30 more.
The repair itself still takes a day; the rest is shipping time both ways, so plan for some time without your denture. Read more about mail-in denture repair.
How can you keep your dentures from breaking again?
Most breaks come from a drop, a hard bite or a loose fit. A few simple habits lower the risk of each one.
Do:
- Clean your denture over a folded towel or a sink with some water in it, so a drop has a soft landing.
- Keep it in a denture case with water or soaking solution whenever it is out of your mouth.
- Use cool or lukewarm water. Very hot or boiling water can warp the base.
- Keep dentures out of reach of pets. Dogs in particular may chew them.
- Have your dentist check the fit regularly, since a loose denture flexes and cracks more easily.
Don’t:
- Bite down on ice, hard candy, nut shells, bones or popcorn kernels.
- Bend the clasps on a partial to tighten it yourself.
- Ignore a small crack. It is easier to repair before it becomes a full break.
What to do next
If your denture is cracked, broken or missing a tooth, a prompt repair keeps a small problem from growing. Looking for denture repair near you in St. Louis? Walk in to Total Denture Repair at 9495 Page Ave on a weekday, or call (314) 733-5372 with questions. Not close by? Start a mail-in repair online and we will send you a free shipping label.
Frequently asked questions
Will my denture feel different after it is repaired?
A repair is meant to restore the denture’s original shape, but it can feel a little different at first. If it rubs, causes a sore spot, or your bite feels off, see your dentist.
I already glued my denture. Can it still be repaired?
It may still be repairable. Don’t add more glue, and don’t try to pull the pieces apart. Send or bring it as it is. The glue has to come off before a proper repair, and some glues leave the broken edges harder to line up.
Is there a warranty on denture repairs?
Yes. Every repair from Total Denture Repair comes with a 30-day warranty, and our technicians use ADA-approved materials.
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a repair?
Some customers pay with an HSA or FSA card. Whether your account covers denture repair depends on your plan provider, so check with them before you pay.