Can You Reline Your Dentures on Your Own?

Sooner or later, your dentures will need to be relined so that they can continue to fit comfortably in your mouth. Normally, this process is handled by a trained dental professional. However, if you want to save time and money, you might be considering relining your dentures on your own. But is this actually a good idea? Here’s what you need to know before you attempt DIY denture relining.

What Exactly is Denture Relining, and How Does It Work?

If you’ve lost all of your teeth, the shape of your gums will change over time due to bone loss. Consequently, at some point your dentures will no longer fit as well as they used to. Denture relining allows your dentist to correct this problem by adjusting your dentures to accommodate the new shape of your gums.

At the start of the relining process, your dental team will capture impressions of your gums. Said impressions will be used to determine what changes need to be made to your prosthesis so that it fits properly again. Then new material will be carefully added to the base of the denture. Once the relining is complete, a fitting will be performed to make sure that the denture is comfortable and secure in your mouth.

Can You Perform Denture Relining by Yourself?

Simply put, relining your dentures on your own is not recommended. Without the right training, there’s a good chance that you could end up using too little or too much material, thus causing your dentures to fit even worse than they did before. This can make them more prone to causing a variety of oral health issues, such as painful sores on your gums. Furthermore, if the reline is too uneven, your dentures may end up with a noticeably unbalanced appearance.

Why Should You See Your Dentist for Denture Relining?

Your dentist has the training and knowledge to make sure that the denture relining process goes as smoothly as possible. They’ll take the time to identify the exact reason why your denture no longer fits properly so that they can make the precise adjustments needed. On top of that, they’ll be able to determine what kind of reline is required based on your situation.

In short, an ill-fitting denture is a problem best handled by an expert. It’s therefore best to call your dentist right away if you have any reason to think that your dentures need to be relined.

About the Author

At Queen Creek Complete Dental, we want all of our patients to be able to enjoy world-class dental care. Our state-of-the-art dental office utilizes the latest technology and offers a comprehensive menu of services that allows us to meet a wide range of oral health needs. For individuals with extensive tooth loss, we offer fully customized, natural-looking dentures. If you think your dentures may need a relining in the near future, you can schedule an appointment at our practice by visiting our website or calling (480) 722-1200.