Once a person’s natural teeth have been removed, their jawbone begins to shrink and change shape. Eventually, this process can cause such significant alterations in the bone that it adversely affects the fit of the individual’s dentures.
If you wear prosthetic teeth, therefore, you will periodically need to get your dentures relined (adjusted). Most people visit their dentist for this service, but some attempt to do it without professional assistance. Is it wise to reline your dentures on your own? This blog post contains some important information.
What Is a Denture Reline?
During a denture reline, material is added to the base of the prosthetic in order to give it a snugger, more secure, and more comfortable fit. The goal is to help the denture stay in place during eating, speaking, and other normal activities.
There are two basic types of relines:
- A soft reline uses soft material to adjust the denture. This service is usually recommended for people with sensitive gums or other oral health issues.
- A hard reline uses harder, tougher material. It tends to be more durable than the material used for soft relines.
The Downsides of DIY Denture Relines
After a quick search of the internet, you may find that some companies sell kits that have what you need to complete a soft denture reline at home. That might seem like an appealing way to save some time and money, but there are a number of significant downsides to DIY relines that you should be aware of:
You Might Ruin Your Dentures
If you make a mistake while relining your denture, your prosthetic could end up with an uneven bite. This could place extra pressure on parts of denture and eventually cause it to break.
You Could Harm Your Bite
Occlusion (the way your upper and lower teeth work together) is complex and delicate. Sadly, even a small error during the relining process could interfere with your occlusion and make it difficult for you to bite comfortably. Jaw pain, facial aches, and gum sores could all result.
Your Appearance Could Be Affected
Some people accidentally add too much relining material to their denture. This might cause the base of your prosthetic to look unnaturally large, which could have a negative effect on the aesthetics of your smile. Plus, if your bite becomes uneven, onlookers may observe that your teeth look off-kilter or unbalanced.
The DIY Process Can Be Unpleasant
Most DIY reline kits use a direct impression process. Basically, hat means you insert the reline material into your denture’s base, bite down on it, and wait while the material sets. The taste, smell, and texture of the relining material is off-putting for many people.
Trust Your Dentist for Relines
Dentists and the other professionals they work with are true experts at relining dentures. When you trust your prosthetic to them, you can be confident that you will experience good results!
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group in Branford offers comprehensive denture services, including relines, in our modern, welcoming office. If your prosthetic has not been fitting comfortably, we can evaluate the problem and recommend a solution. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, get in touch with us at 203-439-6895.