Restore & Repair: Can I Reline My Dentures Myself?

Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for tooth loss for good reasons. Not only are they incredibly versatile, but they also simultaneously restore your smile’s appearance and functionality to boost your confidence and overall well-being.

Unfortunately, if your dentures become damaged, broken, or ill-fitting, they can rub raw spots in the soft tissues of your mouth or injure your gums or any remaining teeth when you wear them. You might feel tempted to try to fix them yourself, but this isn’t usually recommended. Continue reading to learn why it’s best to have your dentist help reline your dentures!

Why Do My Dentures Need to Be Relined?

Would you be surprised to learn that your jawbone begins thinning after tooth loss? The roots of your teeth stimulate new bone growth in your jaw every time you bite down, and when one or more go missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding structure within the first year. As it weakens, the bony ridges in your mouth flatten.

That’s bad news if you wear dentures, because your teeth rely on a firm suction against the tissues over these structures to remain in place. Although designed to fit like a glove, they eventually lose their grip. Similarly, a broken or cracked foundation cannot form a tight enough bond to stay put.

What is Denture Relining?

This treatment involves adding additional material to the acrylic base of your dentures to improve their fit so you can continue wearing them. There are two different methods, which are:

• Soft relines. This is ideal for those with sensitive tissues or overly flattened ridges and uses more pliable materials, like silicone, for increased comfort. The repair may last 1-2 years before requiring additional adjustments.
• Hard relines. Harder materials, like acrylic, are added to the denture base for a more durable fix that can last several years.

Can I Reline My Dentures Myself?

There are denture lining kits available for purchase, and many patients are tempted to try to adjust the fit of their restoration at home. Unfortunately, doing so can cause more problems than it resolves. Firstly, there are some situations in which relining your dentures won’t resolve the problem. For instance, if your jawbone has become too thin, you might need to consider a more permanent replacement, like dental implants.

Furthermore, it’s difficult to know how much material to use and exactly where to apply it to fix the problem. You might make the situation worse than it was to begin with if you add too much or too little. Then, if you’ve altered the fit, you might develop aches trying to eat or speak as your tongue, gums, and jaw struggle to adjust to the changes.

If your dentures are destabilized or have an injured foundation, the next best step is to contact your dentist for an appointment!

Meet the Author

Dr. Marianna Gaitsgory takes pride in helping families in Framingham build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University, and is committed to continuing educational courses to stay on top of the latest techniques, so you receive the most up-to-date treatment options. Then, she combines a caring approach with advanced technology to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate results meant to last. If your dentures need to be relined or replaced, she’s happy to help! You can request an appointment on the website or call (508) 875-0900.