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Dentures are a tried-and-true option for replacing missing teeth, and countless generations of patients have benefitted from these reliable restorations. But unfortunately, custom-fitted dentures can sometimes stop fitting like they’re supposed to and will need to be relined. But is this something that patients can do on their own, or is it better to leave it up to your dentist? Keep reading to learn more.
Why Do Dentures Need to Be Relined?
If you’ve had your dentures for a while, you’ve probably spent a lot of time practicing and refining how you eat, speak, and function with them in your mouth. But after a while, you might begin to notice that your dentures don’t seem to fit quite like they used to, even though they were initially outfitted specifically for your smile.
This is because over time, your jaw will change since you no longer have all of your natural teeth, and this in turn will change how your dentures rest inside your mouth. And while it might only seem like a mere inconvenience, it’s actually an issue that can lead to some pretty severe consequences including gum inflammation, oral sores, headaches due to jaw pressure, jaw atrophy, and limited oral functionality that can affect your diet.
Luckily, having your dentures relined can essentially restore your denture’s fit and stave off all of these issues.
Can I Reline My Own Denture?
The short answer here is no, it’s not advisable to attempt to reline your denture on your own, and you should always turn toward a dental professional for assistance. Not only will your dentist be able to correctly identify when your denture needs to be relined, but they also have the tools and expertise to reline it without issue. Plus, you might damage your denture or harm your oral structures while attempting to reline it yourself—which will cause you to have more problems than when you started!
How Are Dentures Relined?
The process is normally very straightforward; permanent relines involve adding new material to the inner surface of the restoration to essentially correct and improve how it fits inside of your mouth. First, a thin impression is made of the existing denture, and then it’s sent to a lab where acrylic material is used to precisely fill in gaps in the base that meet anywhere the gums might’ve changed. There are also “soft” relines which are appropriate for patients with sensitive tissue or excessively resorbed ridges, but these tend to not last as long as permanent relines.
In any case, seeing a dental professional for this solution is always going to be in your best interest and will ensure the safest and most effective outcome to have you smiling brightly once more.
About the Practice
All Smiles Leesburg is thrilled to serve patients and families in the Leesburg, VA area! They offer a wide range of restorative services like dentures and all associated treatments to help you achieve optimal oral health and a complete, beautiful set of teeth that you’ll love showing off. If you have any questions about the article or believe your dentures need to be relined, feel free to contact the practice online or by phone for further assistance: (703) 991-7554.