When dentures no longer fit comfortably or become loose, they may need a reline, or a base adjustment. This process might seem easy enough to do at home; however, attempting to save money while trying to fix your artificial teeth on your own can lead to more serious problems. Keep reading to learn why it’s best to let your dentist take care of your prosthetics to ensure a more comfortable fit.
Why Do Dentures Need to Be Relined?
If you wear dentures to replace your missing teeth, you should expect relines to be a common occurrence. These adjustments focus on the base of the denture since there are multiple reasons why this particular area may become uncomfortable or ill-fitting over time.
As the alveolar bone – the area anchoring teeth to the upper and lower jawbone – faces resorption over time because of tooth loss, it can cause your denture to become loose. If a reline does not occur, you can develop oral sores, discomfort, gum irritation, and possible infection.
How is a Reline Performed?
To reline a denture, new material (acrylic) must be added to the interior of the denture base (the area facing the gums). A soft or a hard reline can be performed based on your preference and oral needs.
A soft reline is often best if you have sensitive gums or ridges that have experienced extreme resorption. Adding new acrylic creates a cushioned barrier so that your soft oral tissues do not sustain as much pressure when you bite down or chew.
A hard reline involves the use of harder material and is often performed in a dental lab. These tend to last longer than soft relines, and they are ideal if you have suffered significant bone loss.
Your dentist can also provide a chairside reline, so the process takes less time.
Why Is It Better to Let a Dentist Perform the Work?
There are several reasons why you should leave this type of work to your dentist instead of trying to do it yourself, including:
- Only your dentist can determine if a reline will be enough to adequately fix the problem.
- Your dentist can clearly see whether the denture is seated correctly. If you attempt this at home, you could end up ruining your dentures, causing them to fit even more uncomfortably.
- Your dentist is skilled and trained to provide this service, so they know what to do and how to do it. If you try it at home, you could end up spending more money to have your denture fixed or replaced.
- There is a significantly reduced risk of developing an infection or rash if you let your dentist perform this type of work. Also, you’ll be less likely to have a set of teeth that harbor harmful bacteria.
Don’t fall for the countless DIY videos and reline tips provided by others online. Instead, allow your dentist to do their job so that you can enjoy your smile.
About Grand Dental – Aurora
At Grand Dental – Aurora, our dentists are expertly trained to provide high-quality oral healthcare. Since dentures are a prominent service provided in our office, it’s essential that our team know how to adjust and care for these dentures over time. This is why we strongly discourage patients from attempting DIY relines and other similar modifications. If you need help to ensure a proper fit that allows for greater denture comfort, visit our website or call (630) 538-8302.