Repairs, Relines, And Adjustments
A denture almost always breaks at the worst possible moment, usually by being dropped on a bathroom sink. If yours is cracked, has lost a tooth, or has stopped fitting the way it used to, call our office at (239) 337-5464.
Bring the denture and every piece you can find, even the small ones.
Please Do Not Use Super Glue
We are putting this first because it is the single most common thing that turns a straightforward repair into a replacement.
Household adhesives are not designed for a warm, wet environment and are not safe to have in your mouth. Beyond that, they are the practical problem. Super glue sets almost instantly and it sets wherever the pieces happened to be sitting, which is rarely where they belong. Once cured, it fills the fracture line and makes it impossible to bring the edges back into their original alignment. A repair we could have made cleanly becomes a remake.
The same applies to hardware store epoxies and mail-order repair kits. If your denture is broken, leave the pieces alone, put them in a bag, and call us.
What We Repair
Cracked or fractured base
The acrylic base can crack from a drop or from stress caused by a poor fit. A clean fracture with all pieces available is usually repairable.
Broken or bent clasps
The metal clasps on a partial denture take repeated stress every time the denture goes in and comes out, and eventually they fatigue. Never try to bend a clasp back yourself. Metal that has already been stressed tends to snap on the second bend.
A missing or chipped denture tooth
Individual teeth can usually be replaced on the existing base and shade-matched to the others.
A denture broken clean in half
More involved, but often still repairable if you have both halves and have not glued them.
A denture that has stopped fitting
This is usually not a repair at all. It is a reline. See below.
Repair, Reline, Or Replace?
These get used interchangeably by patients and they are three different things.
A repair fixes physical damage. Something broke and we put it back together.
A reline resurfaces the tissue side of the denture so it matches the current shape of your gums. Your gums and jawbone continue to change throughout your life, faster in the first year after extractions and more gradually afterward. A denture that has become loose, rocks when you chew, or has you reaching for adhesive when you never used to almost always needs a reline rather than a repair. The teeth are fine. The foundation underneath them has moved.
A replacement is warranted when the denture has worn past the point of adjustment. Denture teeth wear flat over years of use, which quietly changes your bite and how your jaw closes. A denture that has been repaired several times, or one where the fit issues keep returning after relines, has usually reached the end of its service.
We will tell you plainly which of the three you are looking at, and Dr. Bryant King provides a written estimate on each reasonable option before any work begins so you can decide for yourself.
Sore Spots And Adjustments
If your denture is rubbing a specific spot raw, do not wait it out and do not stop wearing it entirely. An adjustment is typically a short appointment.
Two things worth knowing. First, take the denture out and wear it for a few hours before your adjustment appointment if you can, so the sore spot is visible and we can identify exactly where the pressure is. Second, a sore that does not heal within about two weeks after the pressure has been relieved should be looked at for other reasons, which is one of several reasons denture wearers still need regular exams even with no natural teeth remaining.
How Long Will It Take?
That depends entirely on what broke. Some repairs can be handled quickly in the office. Others need to go to a lab, particularly full remakes and cases where teeth need to be replaced and matched. When you call, describe what happened and whether you have all the pieces, and we can give you a realistic expectation before you come in.
Our office is at 6900 Daniels Parkway, Suite 30, convenient to Gateway, Six Mile Cypress, and the Daniels corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you repair a denture that was not made at your office?
My denture keeps coming loose and I am using more adhesive than I used to. Is it broken?
Almost certainly not. Increasing adhesive use is the classic sign that a denture needs a reline. Adhesive is meant to be a small assist, not the thing holding the denture in. If you are relying on it, come in and let us check the fit.
Is it safe to keep wearing a cracked denture?
We would rather you did not. A crack concentrates stress, so a denture that is cracked tends to break fully, often at a worse moment. Sharp edges along a fracture can also cut gum tissue and the tongue.
I already glued it. Is it ruined?
Do I need an appointment or can I drop it off?
Call us first at (239) 337-5464. Depending on what happened, we may want to see the denture in your mouth to check the fit and bite rather than assessing the appliance on its own.
How often do dentures need relining?
Should I just get implants instead?
It is worth a conversation. Dental implants can be used to secure a denture so that it does not shift or rub, which eliminates most of the problems that bring people in for repairs in the first place. We can walk you through what that would involve in your case.
Kind Words From Recent Patients
Daniels Parkway Dental
6900 Daniels Parkway #30, Fort Myers
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This is a fantastic dental office. The staff and Doctors are top notch and punctual. They take the time to answer questions and always make me feel comfortable.
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Just had my first filling in 51 yrs Dr Shelly King explained the procedure & did an excellent job.hopefully i wouldnt have a cavity for another 51yrs.highly recommend them not a franchise. Non commission based employees.
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I was referred to Dr Shelly and her dental assistant Amanda by my daughter in law who is very pleased with their caring professional dental care. I am also very pleased as well. The receptionists are pleasant and professional. This is truly … More a family business who treats their patients just exactly like that. Thank you Dr Shelly and Team! Shirley Pine
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Dr. Bryant King is a very caring, detailed dentist. He has a wonderful bedside manner and explains everything and gives options for patients to consider. He is also very willing to give prices & estimates for any & all options so … More that the patient can make an intelligent decision as to what is best for the patient. I highly recommend Dr. Bryant. The staff are also very efficient and personable. Madeleine Dougherty, patient
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Dr. Shelly & Dr. Bryant King(s) have been my dentists for over twenty years. The doctors and staff have consistently provided professional, friendly and quality work for every visit. Their office is extremely clean and everyone's … More attention to detail, from cleanings to insurance to all things dental keeps me coming back and referring them again and again. Dr. Shelly has a jiggle technique that will make any dentaphobe at ease. I feel very fortunate to have found these wonderful people who make me feel so taking care of.
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As a new patient, I have been very impressed with being able to get an appointment easily, and happy with the efficiency and pleasant atmosphere, and mostly happy with my “new” tooth.
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Let me start by saying the BEST EXPERIENCE EVER! Two different appointments, xrays and filling. NO CHARGE. The Doctor was so kind and did not hurt at all. Things that he told me that I wish others would have been as honest and forthcoming … More as he. Wonderful staff. I would highly recommend this Dentist. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!
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This is by far the BEST visit ever to a dentist office. They were so nice, explained the procedure throughly so there were no surprises. Starting with my phone call to their office and up until I left everyone made the experience amazing. … More If your looking for a dentist this is the office to call... Happy teeth work
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Daniels Dental and Dr. Bryant King provided a great experience when I had a crown fall out. Getting an appointment was prompt, the staff was friendly, very helpful and efficient. Dr. King and the Technician were knowledgeable, friendly, … More efficient, skilled and gentle. Best dental experience I’ve had.
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Hands down Daniels Parkway Dental gets 5⭐️! The staff is friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and provides some of the best bedside manner I’ve ever experienced. Dr. Shelly, Dee, Amanda and staff went above and beyond to ensure that I wasn’t … More in any pain during my dental procedure and communicated with me what they were doing the entire time.
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The dentist is amazing having professional attitude and always giving care necessary for appropriate needs. The staff are professional as well as friendly, kind and gentle. Positive vibes from all in this dental office! 👍
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I cannot begin to express how WONDERFUL my experience is Every time i need to go to the DDS. Daniels Parkway Dental is the best. They have brought back good ole fashion bedside manner. Everyone in that office gets a 5 ⭐️ review. From the … More moment you check in to the moment they finish the dental procedure. Dr Shelly and Dr King are constantly checking on you throughout the process and explain in detail everything they are doing and making sure you are not feeling any discomfort. This also includes their FABULOUS DENTAL HYGIENIST “Keely” (the best, bar none!!!!)
Fort Myers is LUCKY, EXTREMELY LUCKY to have them in our area (even though if they were farther i would still go to them) I also want to give the Dental Assistant recognition for how extremely well she worked with Dr Shelly they were a perfect team.
So in conclusion if you are looking for a Dental Office and want great work done LOOK NO FURTHER!!!! Than Daniels Parkway Dental Office!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely
Alex Gonzalo. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 -
Dr. Shelly King was wonderful. The best experience. Very caring and explained everything. Absolutely no pain or anxiety. I would highly recommend. The office staff was great too!
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Great dentist office. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The dentist isn't quick to jump to fillings for children with tiny cavities that could heal or cavities in a baby tooth that's coming out soon. The hygienist … More we see if very respectful of the decisions we make regarding fluoride. They are a wonderful family own practice and Dr. Bryant and Dr. Shelley are so great with our family.
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Had an urgent need for an appointment (my porcelain crown fell out over holiday weekend). Being fairly new to the area and not having a regular dentist, I took a chance & stopped into Daniels Parkway Dental to see if I could get an … More appointment in the next few days. To my surprise they had an opening later that day. First let me say I was so impressed when I walked in to a beautiful bright well appointed clean office and warmly greeted by the friendly knowledgeable staff. Went ahead and took my insurance info (which they are filing for me so I can be reimbursed) and did all the paperwork. I say this because my time in the waiting area I noticed the pleased patients checking out and others coming in. Coming from up north who had a very modern excellent local dentist, Daniel Parkway Dental reminded me of what was left behind. And confirmed by the excellent medical care by Dr Shelly King. Both her & her assistant were gentle yet professional. In a layman’s eyes like myself I thought “just glue it back”, I’m so glad I didn’t try a do it yourself nor go to one of those “doc in a box” popping up on every corner. It was a very intricate procedure taking time to make sure the bites correct. Someone without much experience could have broken the tiny pins my old dentist had made. Or would have easily said I need a new one meaning lots of $$$$$. It was divine steering which brought me to Daniel Parkway Dental. A local family dentistry who’s been around for 20 years and not going anywhere. This evening I was able to enjoy my food and would never know it had fallen out few days ago. I’m so glad I’ve found a dental practice I can trust & look forward to going back for routine care for myself & my husband.
Thank you again Dr Shelly King & staff🤗
Contact Our Office
For immediate assistance or scheduling please contact our office directly at (239) 337-5464. All online inquiries are responded to within 24 hours.