While dentures are made to fit your mouth, they almost always become ill-fitting with time. They’ll require relining work someday to restore your smile smoothly and precisely. With that said, the DIY route isn’t a (smart) option; you shouldn’t reline dentures yourself. You need a qualified dentist if you want your prosthetics repaired the right way. To learn why, just read this primer on the matter from your local New Lenox dental practice.
Denture Relining: The Basics
Dentures are effective as tooth replacements, but they don’t stop your jawbone from shrinking. They’ll eventually fit poorly as your mouth’s shape changes from what it was. Thankfully, though, the relining process addresses this issue.
To “reline” a denture is to add material to its inner surface. Through this work, a patient’s prosthetic fits their mouth more smoothly and snugly. Relining can even use varying substances that match your needs; it’s thus a versatile type of tooth replacement repair.
Relines are generally “soft” or “hard.” A soft reline is one that adds or places a smooth polymer. Meanwhile, a hard reline uses material like pink acrylic.
“DIY Relining” is a Bad Idea
DIY trends are all the rage these days, but you mustn’t reline dentures yourself. Doing so would damage your restorations and put your smile in a bad position.
When someone tries relining their own dentures, they often add too much or too little material. Their lack of dental training – and a poor vantage point – leaves them unable to tell the right amount. As a result, their efforts usually make their dentures even worse-fitting than before.
Adding insult to injury, DIY relining can harm your health. As it ruins your denture’s fit, it often causes jaw pain, headaches, eating struggles, etc.
Only Dentists Should Reline Dentures
You’re better off having a dentist perform the relining. After all, they’re the only ones with the knowledge, training, and resources to do the work safely and effectively.
Qualified dentists follow several steps to reline a denture. For starters, they check the actual prosthetic and confirm why it’s fitting poorly. They then review their findings and suggest a soft or hard reline accordingly. Following the reline, the dentists will check your denture to see if it now fits better.
Rather than risk your smile, have your dental provider reline your dentures. You can trust them to do a great job that’ll restore your full grin!
About the Practice
Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox is based in New Lenox, IL. Led by Drs. Albert, Snow, and Feller, our practice works closely with each patient to provide the best possible dentistry. We thus offer a wide range of dental services, ranging from dental checkups to dentures and dental implants. Whatever ails your grin, you can trust our team to fix it. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (815)-462-9990.