If your denture just broke: keep every piece, don’t try to glue it back together, and call your nearest clinic to arrange a time to have it looked at. Most cracks, breaks, lost teeth and loose clasps can be repaired without needing a brand-new denture. It’s a stressful moment, but it’s also one of the most common reasons patients call us — and the fix is usually more straightforward than it feels right now. Here’s what to do in the meantime, what a repair can typically fix, and how the process works at Smile Denture & Implant Clinic.
First steps if your denture breaks
What you do in the first little while matters more than people expect — a few simple choices make the eventual repair easier and more accurate.
- Keep every piece. Even small chips or acrylic fragments help your denturist rebuild the fit accurately, so don’t throw anything away.
- Skip the glue. Household or drugstore adhesives aren’t made for the mouth. They can reshape the fitting surface just enough that a proper repair no longer seats correctly afterward, which sometimes makes the damage harder to fix.
- Stop wearing it if it’s sharp, cracked, or missing a piece. A rough edge can rub or cut your gum or cheek, and a changed bite can strain your jaw — set it aside until it’s been assessed.
- Call to arrange a visit. Bring the denture and every piece of it with you, even fragments you’re not sure matter.
If a broken denture has left a sore spot or cut that hasn’t started to heal after a few days, come in and have it looked at rather than waiting it out.
What denture repairs can usually fix
Denture repair covers more than a simple crack. Depending on the damage, a repair can typically address:
- Cracks and hairline fractures
- A full break across the denture base
- A chipped, cracked, or missing tooth
- A broken or loose clasp on a partial denture
- Minor fit changes from everyday wear
Even a denture that looks badly broken — several pieces, a missing tooth, a cracked base — is often more repairable than it looks once it’s actually assessed; this list is a rough guide, not a diagnosis. It applies whether you wear a complete denture or a partial, though a partial’s metal clasps are one more thing that can work loose over time. Damage that keeps happening in the same spot, or a denture that no longer fits the way it used to, can be a sign there’s more going on underneath — more on that below.
How our repair process works
Bring your denture in to any of our clinics, pieces and all. Your denturist checks the damage and explains, in plain language, what’s involved — it doesn’t matter where the denture was originally made, dentures made elsewhere are welcome. Most repairs are fairly straightforward once your denturist can see the damage in person, which is why bringing it in — rather than describing it over the phone — helps us give you an accurate picture from the start.
Because the denture repairs in Ottawa happen in our on-site lab, many repairs are handled without a long wait. How long depends on what the damage actually involves, so your denturist will give you a realistic sense of timing once they’ve seen it in person. Fit is checked before you leave.
When a repair isn’t enough
Not every break is just a break. If a denture keeps cracking in the same place, or it’s felt loose or uncomfortable for a while, a repair may only hold for a short time. That often points to a fit issue underneath — something a reline can sometimes correct by refreshing how the denture sits against your gums, without replacing it outright. With an older or heavily worn denture, replacement can end up being the more lasting option.
A few things worth mentioning when you call: a denture that’s broken more than once in the same spot, one that’s felt increasingly loose over months rather than days, or one that’s several years old. None of these automatically mean you need a new denture — they’re simply worth flagging so your denturist can look at the bigger picture, not just the crack in front of them. Rather than guessing, this is worth having assessed properly. Book a free consultation and your denturist will walk you through what’s actually going on and what your options are, so you can decide what makes sense for you.
Costs and CDCP coverage
Denture repairs may be eligible for coverage under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. We confirm your eligibility and direct-bill CDCP for the portion you’re covered for, and you’ll see a written estimate before any repair work begins, so there are no surprises partway through. If you have private insurance instead, our team prepares the claim paperwork on your behalf. Coverage details vary by age, income band, and the treatment involved, so the most reliable answer is always the one specific to you — our team can walk you through it before you commit to anything. For a broader look at what shapes denture pricing generally, our Ottawa cost guide is a good place to start.
However it happened — a fall, a bite on something hard, or just years of everyday wear — a broken denture is a common problem, and in most cases, a fixable one. Keep the pieces, leave the glue in the drawer, and call your nearest clinic; our team can tell you the soonest we can take a look.
Reviewed by our licensed denturists · Updated July 2026