A confident smile is a powerful asset, and for those who wear dentures, it plays a significant role in their everyday lives. This unique tooth restoration solution allows patients with lost pearly whites to eat, speak, and laugh with ease once more. However, over time, dentures may lose their snug fit, causing notable discomfort and affecting one’s oral functionality and overall livelihood. Fortunately correcting this is possible through what’s known as a denture reline—but is this something you can do yourself, or should you rely on your trusted dentist? Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Denture Relines
Denture relining is a dental procedure performed to adjust the fit of dentures; if you’ve had your dentures for some time, you might’ve noticed that they might not fit quite as nicely as they used to. This is because your jaw never stops growing and changing as you age. Relining involves reshaping the base of the denture to ensure that it fits comfortably against the ridges that support it. An impression is made of your denture, and it’s then 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 Your Dentist Should Reline Your Dentures
It might seem tempting to save both time and money by attempting to reline your dentures yourself—but this is never a good idea! Here are four reasons you should always rely on your trusted dentist for this necessary procedure:
- Your Dentist Is the Expert – Your dentist is an expert on all things relating to oral health—and given that they’re the ones who outfitted you with your dentures, they’re the most qualified to repair and reline them.
- You Might Damage Your Dentures – It’s very possible that your inexperience might lead to you damaging your dentures to the point where they cannot be worn. It’s also worth mentioning that DIY kits for denture relines exist, but these often use materials or involve methods that aren’t completely safe for dentures or even the inside of your mouth.
- There Are Long-Term Cost Implications – It might seem cheaper to skip visiting your dentist in favor of fixing your dentures yourself, but it might actually lead to more costly expenses in the future, especially if you break your dentures!
- You’ll Be at an Increased Risk of Oral Health Issues – Poor-fitting dentures can lead to an assortment of oral health issues including gum inflammation, oral sores, headaches due to jaw pressure, jaw atrophy, and of course, limited oral functionality.
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Swathi Atluri, the team at We Smile Dental of Arlington has proudly served patients and families in the Arlington, TX community for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options. If you have any questions about the blog or believe it’s time to have your dentures relined, don’t hesitate to contact the practice online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (682) 452-1150.