Dentures are perhaps the most tried and true of all restorative dental solutions, having assisted countless generations of patients with replacing their lost pearly whites. However, over time, dentures tend to stop fitting quite like they’re supposed to. Needless to say, this can cause issues for patients and demands the need for their dentures to be adjusted, which is known as a denture reline. But is this something patients should do themselves, or should they seek out professional assistance? Keep reading to learn more!
Why Do Dentures Need to Be Relined?
If you’ve worn dentures for a while, it’s probably taken you some time to become accustomed to eating, speaking, and living comfortably with them. This is because at first, your mouth had to become used to their shape—however, it probably wasn’t long before you were biting, talking, and laughing with ease thanks to their snug fit.But after some time, usually a few months or years, you might’ve noticed that your dentures don’t seem to fit quite like they used to. This is because your jaw never stops growing and changing over time, meaning that your dentures won’t always fit as intended. This can lead to a wide range of oral health issues if left untreated—meaning that you should handle it promptly!Luckily, the denture reline process is very straightforward. An impression is made of the existing denture before it’s sent to a lab, where acrylic material is used to fill the gaps in the base that meet anywhere the gums might’ve changed.
4 Reasons You Shouldn’t Reline Your Dentures Yourself
You should rely on your dentist to reline your dentures when the time is right for these four reasons:
Your Dentist Is an Expert
Your dentist is an oral health expert, and this includes denture care! They’ll be able to easily help you correctly reline your dentures, as well as ensure they aren’t compromised in any other way.
You Might Damage Your Dentures
DIY kits for denture relines exist, but these are inherently inferior to the care your dentist can provide. Plus, these kits sometimes use materials or involve methods that aren’t suitable or safe for dentures, which can harm them or your oral tissues!
There’s an Increased Risk of Oral Health Issues
Ill-fitting dentures can lead to all types of oral health issues including gum inflammation, painful oral sores, headaches due to jaw pressure, jaw atrophy, and limited oral functionality.
There Are Long-Term Cost Implications
While it might seem cheaper to forgo visiting your dentist and attempt to reline your denture yourself, this can lead to more costly expenses in the future—or even the need to replace a broken denture due to your negligence!
About the Practice
The team at Riviera Family Dentistry has proudly served the smile needs of the Denver community for several years, and they’d be honored to help you and your loved ones achieve healthy, radiant smiles! They’re excited to offer a wide range of restorative dental treatments including partial, full, and implant-retained dentures. If you have any questions about the blog or believe it might be time to have your dentures relined, don’t hesitate to contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance. Telephone: (720) 640-0272.