While often effective, dentures need occasional tune-ups. That’s only natural, as they and your mouth change over time. Still, the fact remains that you shouldn’t reline dentures yourself. This DIY approach is risky and could ruin your prosthetic teeth. As such, you’re far better off having a dentist do denture relining. Your Sunnyside dental practice can even tell you more about the matter. So, here’s a summary of denture relining – its nature, the risks of trying it yourself, and why only a dentist should do it.
What Exactly is “Denture Relining?”
For various reasons, a denture can cease to fit well over time. One way to solve this problem is with a process called relining.
Ultimately, denture relining adds new material to a denture’s interior surface. This addition improves the prosthetic’s fit for the patient. It can also use varying reline materials, each serving a different need or purpose. Relining is thus a convenient and comprehensive option.
DIY Denture Relining is a Bad Idea
In order to save money, some patients try to reline dentures themselves. You can easily find DIY kits and instructional videos if you look around. Even so, this solo method isn’t recommended or advisable. Trying to reline dentures yourself usually causes more problems than it solves.
Firstly, a DIY denture reline can ruin the restorations. It’s nearly impossible to place the reline material alone; you can’t see what you’re doing. Consequently, you might place too little of the substance or too much. Plus, you can’t remove the reline material and start over once it sets.
DIY relining could also harm your health. If you don’t do it well, the resulting denture could cause jaw pain, headaches, or even jaw pain. The appliance might even make it hard for you to eat.
Reline Your Denture(s) with a Dentist
To avoid complications, you should have a qualified dentist perform denture relining. Their equipment and know-how will ensure the process is done right.
Typically, a dentist follows several steps for a denture relining. They’ll start by examining the affected denture’s condition. Based on their findings, the dentist then suggests a soft or hard reline. (The former service is done entirely in-office, while the latter involves lab work.) Once they finish one or the other, they’ll return your dentures and confirm the improved fit.
Given the severe risks, it’s not a good move to reline dentures yourself. Therefore, see your local dentist for all of your denture repair needs!
About the Practice
Dent-Care Dental Center is based in Sunnyside, NY. Led by Drs. Arthur Volker and Thomas Chung, our practice offers world-class dentistry for everyone. To that end, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental procedures. We’re thus equipped for everything from a standard dental checkup to high-quality denture treatment! For more information or to book a visit, reach us on our website or by phone at (718)-937-6750.