New dentures will typically fit your mouth securely as designed specifically for your gums. As time goes on, your gum tissues will change, and the denture’s fit will become looser and thus more prone to movement inside your mouth. Having your denture professionally relined every two years will keep the denture secure and functional.
WHY DO I NEED A DENTURE RELINE?
Natural teeth and denture implants have a root or post in the jawbone that stimulates the bone every time you bite down. The stimulation of the jawbone is what makes the bone dense and strong. It also helps to keep the structure of the jawbone sound. If you do not have a tooth root or dental implant post stimulating the jawbone, the bone loses its density over time and begins to shrink. It would be best to reline or adjust your dentures every year to fit the smaller jawbone and gum line. Dentures that are not relined are more likely to slip off, but they can also cause issues in eating and speaking. If you have not relined your dentures within the past year or two, you should call Boulder Dental Designs for a consultation appointment.
HARD DENTURE RELINE
All complete dentures should have a hard reline every two years. Boulder Dental Designs removes a layer of plastic from the denture’s interior surface and then fills the denture with a putty-like material that conforms to the contours of your mouth, creating an accurate impression. The denture is sent to the lab and adjusted to the new shape of your gum tissue. The adjustment results in maximum contact between the denture and your mouth.
SOFT DENTURE RELINE
Some patients cannot wear ordinary dentures because of tender gums or sore spots. Boulder Dental Designs may recommend relining the denture with a material that stays pliable for one to two years before needing replacement. This material is less likely to give the patient sore spots than the standard hard reline acrylic. Patients experiencing these problems may also consider a more permanent solution of implant retained dentures.
TEMPORARY RELINES
If dentures have not been serviced in quite some time, a patient’s gums may be red, swollen, or misshapen. These issues create problems in taking impressions for a new hard or soft reline and may lead to a denture that would perpetuate the problem.
With a temporary or palliative (medicated) reline, your dentist may recommend a softer material to allow the inflammation to subside. The material makes the denture fit much more tightly and is usually soft and pliable. After a few weeks, the gums return to a more normal state. The patient is then ready for his new denture or hard reline.
What Should I Expect During a Denture Reline Procedure?
Your dentist will examine your gums with and without your dentures to start your denture relining appointment. He will ask you to point out any specific spots that irritate you. If the irritation is minimal, your dentist may proceed with the hard or soft reline. Still, if the offense is extensive, he may suggest a gentler approach such as temporary reline. Next, your dentist will buff down the areas irritating your gums. Then, we will remove the inner portion of the denture and replace it with an impression gel. Once the impression of your gums is made, we will send the denture to a lab where they will replace the gel with silicone or acrylic. Soon after, you will return to the dental office to try on and take home your dentures.
Over time, your jawbone can shrink because of the lack of stimulation by a tooth root or a dental implant post. One way to keep your dentures fitting right is to have a denture reline procedure every two years. For more information about denture relines or to schedule an appointment, please call our office.
