Having Your Dentures Relined Can Make All the Difference in Their Fit

Posted .

If your dentures are beginning to feel loose while wearing them, the solution may not be using more adhesive. In fact, ensuring a consistent and proper fit is vital for a healthy, denture-wearing smile. This means getting your dentures relined periodically to make them fit best so you can eat, speak and smile without worry.

A denture reline is when our denturists resurface the part of the denture that touches your gums for a good fit as your gum ridge eventually changes because there is no tooth root-to-bone stimulation since you no longer have teeth. Relining your dentures keeps them fitting optimally while protecting your oral health as it avoids putting excess pressure on your soft oral tissues. By neglecting this important part of denture care, you could be subjecting your soft tissues to lumps, lessons and irritation. 

Relining also costs less than replacing your denture with a new set! Ongoing denture relines can keep your mouth healthier just as daily maintenance can keep your oral tissues healthier. So how do you know it’s time for a denture reline?

  • You can feel an unpleasant pinching or rubbing that doesn’t get better with time
  • You have teeth pulled or falling out
  • Your denture is loose
  • Your denture has recently been fixed

Hard denture reline: For full dentures, you’ll need a hard reline every two years to take out the plastic on the inside of your denture and add putty where the dentures touch the tissue and then reinsert the denture to make an impression. After the denture putty has hardened, acrylic is added so your denture fits optimally again. 

Soft denture reline: If your gums have sore spots or tenderness, a soft reline can help by using a flexible material to reline the denture. With routine adjustments, a soft reline can keep you in the denture for one or two years. These relines don’t irritate your sensitive gum tissue, maximizing your comfort.

Temporary denture reline: Skipping routine denture relines can leave your gums red, irritated and sore. Gum inflammation can be treated using a medicated material until it heals when a new denture or a hard reline can be made. Think of it as having a daily oral hygiene practice along with routine checkups and exams that keep your smile healthy!