How to Repair a Broken Denture at Home (Emergency Fixes)

Revisado por Dr. Dennis Rollins, DDO |

Julio de 2025 - 6 min Leer

Reviewed By Dr. Dennis Rollins, DDO | Julio 2025 - 6 min Read

If your denture just snapped, cracked, or lost a tooth, you’re probably feeling embarrassed, panicked, and desperate for a fast solution, especially if it’s late at night or the weekend.

This guide gives you safe, temporary fixes, explains what NOT to do, and helps you get through the next 24–48 hours until you can see a dentist.

First: Can You Repair a Broken Denture at Home?

Yes, but only certain types of breaks can be temporarily stabilized, and no home fix is permanent. Your goal is simply to make the denture wearable enough until a professional can repair it safely.

Here’s what’s safe to fix and what requires a dentist:

You can temporarily fix:

A loose denture tooth that popped out
A small hairline crack
A minor chip in the acrylic

**You cannot safely fix:**

A denture that snapped into two pieces
A denture with a missing chunk of acrylic
A denture where the fit changed suddenly. These require a professional. Any attempt to glue pieces together can permanently ruin the fit.

Why You Should NEVER Use Super Glue or Krazy Glue

You may be tempted, but don’t. Using Super Glue isn’t just risky, it’s expensive.

The hidden dangers:

Toxicity: Most household glues contain cyanoacrylate, which is not safe inside the mouth.
Weak bond: Saliva breaks these glues down quickly, so the repair will fail within hours.
Permanent damage: Super Glue melts and warps denture acrylic, preventing a dentist from aligning the pieces correctly later. This often forces a complete replacement.

The cost of DIY mistakes:

A professional repair: $100-$300
A full denture replacement after a glue mishap: $1,500–$3,000+

The Only Safe DIY Option: An FDA-Approved Denture Repair Kit

You can find these kits at:

CVS
Walgreens
Walmart
Most large supermarkets

These kits usually include:

A temporary bonding material
Acrylic resin for small cracks
Instructions for repositioning a loose tooth

How to Use a Denture Repair Kit (Step-by-Step)

Note that these kits work only for minor issues. They are not strong enough to hold a broken denture base together.

Clean the denture thoroughly with water (no toothpaste, it’s abrasive).
Dry completely. Moisture prevents the resin from setting.
If replacing a tooth, apply the resin included in the kit, seat the tooth, and hold as directed.
If fixing a crack, use the resin to lightly reinforce the crack. Do not overbuild.
Let it cure fully before wearing (usually 2–3 hours).

Types of Breaks: What You Can and Cannot Fix at Home

Hairline Crack: Looks like a small line or fissure. A DIY kit is possibly safe. Just reinforce lightly, don’t pinch or bend the denture.
Loose Tooth on the Denture: Tooth has fallen out cleanly. A DIY kit is a safe temporary option. Your dentist will redo the permanent bond later.
Fracture Through the Middle (Snapped in Half): Clean break into two pieces. DIY fix: NO. This requires precision realignment that only a dental lab can do. Attempting to glue it usually ruins the edges and alters the bite.
Chunk of Acrylic Missing: If a piece broke off and was lost, DIY fix: NO. Only a professional can rebuild missing material.

Emergency Comfort Tips: If You Cannot Wear the Denture Tonight

If repairing isn’t possible or the denture is too unstable to wear, here’s how to get through the weekend:

Soft Foods That Don’t Require Chewing

Smoothies
Yogurt
Mashed potatoes
Scrambled eggs
Oatmeal
Applesauce
Well-cooked pasta

Protect Your Gums

Without dentures, your gums take more pressure than usual.

Avoid crunchy foods
Rinse with warm salt water to reduce irritation
Keep the denture stored in water to prevent warping

Stay Hydrated

Dry mouth irritates soft tissues and increases discomfort.

When You Must See a Dentist Immediately

Dentures might seem simple but repairing them requires exact alignment and lab materials. A professional repair is almost always the safer—and cheaper—choice. Call a dentist urgently if:

You cannot close your mouth comfortably
The denture pinches, rubs, or cuts your gums
A piece is sharp or could be swallowed
You rely on full dentures to eat, and the break prevents all function

How to Get a Dentist Who Can Fix Dentures Quickly

Not all dentists do same-day denture repairs, but many do. Dentistry.com helps you find one fast. We connect you with local, in-person providers: not teledentistry, not guesswork. You need someone who can actually adjust, reline, or repair the acrylic hands-on.

Need a local emergency dentist now? Search by ZIP code aquí or call (888) 597-3896 to find a denture repair provider near you.

Why Acting Fast Saves Money

The longer you wait—or the more you try to fix alone—the higher the risk of a costly replacement.

A small crack repaired by a dentist today: $100–$200
A warped, glue-damaged, or misaligned denture: Full replacement (often $1,500–$3,000+)

Quick Summary: Safe Emergency Denture Repair

Do NOT use Super Glue or Krazy Glue.
Use an FDA-approved repair kit only for minor cracks or loose teeth.
Never try to reattach a denture base that snapped in half.
If you can’t wear it tonight, eat soft foods and protect your gums.
Professional repair is cheaper than replacing a damaged denture.
Use our directory to find a repair dentist quickly.

Need a Same-Day Repair for Your Dentures?

You’re not alone, and this break doesn’t have to derail your week. With the right temporary fix and the right dentist, your denture can be restored safely and affordably. Enter your ZIP code aquí or call (888) 597-3896 to find a dentist near you.

How to Repair a Broken Denture at Home (Emergency Fixes)