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When you first receive dentures, they should fit snugly and securely on your gums. After you get used to them, you should be confident that they will stay in place all day. But what if your prosthetic starts to feel loose? You might need to get it relined, or adjusted. During this process, hard or soft material is added to the base of the denture to make it fit more securely.
A quick online search will reveal that you can buy DIY kits for soft relines — they might seem tempting! However, there are good reasons why you should leave relining to the professionals. This blog post explains why.
Risk of Damaging Your Dentures
Even with the best of intentions, you might accidentally damage your dentures during a home reline. The process requires precise application of specialized materials that must bond securely to your denture’s base.
Without proper training, you may select substandard materials or use an incorrect amount, which can lead to either an excess or a shortage of reline compound. When the material is not spread evenly, the result could be an unstable and imbalanced bite. After the reline material hardens, removal becomes extremely challenging if not impossible. In other words, any miscalculation or mishap during the procedure could cause irreversible harm to your dentures, potentially leaving you with no option except early replacement.
Discomfort from Poor Alignment
Improper alignment as the result of a reline gone bad often leads to significant discomfort. When your dentures fail to fit correctly, the ill-fitting surfaces could irritate your gums and the sensitive tissues in your mouth. Over time, these small annoyances can develop into more severe oral health issues, such as inflammation or even infection.
Impact on Daily Function
A poorly executed reline disrupts your daily activities. Dentures serve a vital purpose by allowing you to chew and speak with confidence. After a flawed reline, your dentures might become unstable and begin to shift or feel loose during meals or conversations. This instability can limit your food choices and diminish the pleasure you take in eating. You might even find yourself avoiding certain foods or struggling to speak clearly.
The Value of Professional Denture Relines
Professional denture relines are the way to go! Dentists and their team members use top-quality materials for relines, and they know how to perform this service in a way that allows for a comfortable, even bite. Plus, they can inspect your denture for other signs of wear or damage so you can continue to confidently rely on it every day.
DIY denture relines might seem like a good idea, but unless you have the proper training, they are not advisable! Trust your dental team to take good care of both your natural oral tissues and your prosthetic teeth.
Meet the Practice
At Ocean Oaks Dental Group, our team is proud to offer a wide variety of services in a welcoming environment, including dentures and denture relines. We even have an on-site dental lab where we can complete hard relines as well as soft (most practices need to send dentures elsewhere for hard relines). To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our Vero Beach office at 772-569-4424.