Dentures remain a popular way to replace missing teeth because they’re such a versatile solution. Whether you require a full or partial set, your new restoration can simultaneously rebuild your smile’s appearance and functionality.
However, over time, even well-fitting dentures can start to feel loose and may need to be relined. Many patients wonder whether they can complete such a repair on their own at home. Continue reading to learn more about why relining is sometimes necessary and the best way to proceed!
Why Do Dentures Require Relining?
Your restoration is customized at every stage of its creation to fit like a glove, but over time, you might notice it feels loose or destabilized. This is because your jawbone starts to thin after teeth go missing. Your roots stimulate new bone growth with every bite down that keeps it active and healthy, and when they fall out, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding mass within the first year.
Adhesives can help them form a firmer bond with your gums, but eventually, glues might not be enough to compensate for the shifting structure of your jaw. That means even those dedicated to carefully maintaining their prosthetics might need to have them relined to improve the fit at some point down the road.
What is Denture Relining?
In many cases, the pontics (artificial teeth) of your dentures are still in good shape, but the base can no longer form a tight enough suction against the connective tissues over the bony ridges in your mouth because of a deteriorating jawbone. In these circumstances, adding additional material to the acrylic foundation of your prosthetic improves its fit.
There are two different methods, and they are:
- Soft relining. This is ideal if the ridges in your mouth have begun to flatten or if you have overly sensitive gums. This involves adding pliable materials, like silicone, to the base of your restoration because it’s considered more comfortable for the patient.
- Hard relining. For this repair, harder materials, like acrylic, are used to adjust the foundation of your teeth for a more durable and long-lasting fix.
Can I Reline My Dentures Myself?
Some denture repair kits include supplies to reline them at home, but this isn’t usually recommended. If you’re not an expert, knowing where to include additional material and how much to use without harming more than helping can be difficult.
Instead, call your dentist to schedule an appointment. They have the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to examine your current condition and can more easily see where your dentures aren’t aligning. Then, they can carefully add the right materials to the base to secure a stronger bond with your gums.
If you’re concerned about ill-fitting dentures and aren’t sure whether they require relining, contacting your provider is the best next step!
About the Practice
Patients at Transforming Smiles benefit from two dentists with more than 30 years of combined experience helping people build and maintain healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Zafrani and Dr. Carter collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages, including dentures. Their award-winning team combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to improve your comfort while delivering accurate treatments intended to last. If you think your dentures might need to be relined, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (770) 995-7616.