If you have dentures and are still uncomfortable, you may benefit from a soft liner. Our dentists, Dr. Montoya and Dr. Lai, place soft liners for patients who experience discomfort and ill-fitting dentures. 

WHAT ARE SOFT LINERS?

Soft liners sit between the gums on the jaw and the bottom of the denture. There are two different substances your soft liner may be made of. One is a plastic acrylic resin, and the other is a silicone elastomer. Both materials are great for soft liners. However, some patients say that plastic acrylic resins are softer. Plastic acrylic resins are typically used on immediate dentures because they are often seen as a soft-term solution, lasting about three to six months. If you are looking for a long-term solution, consider silicone elastomers, which can last one year. If you have a soft liner, inspect the liner’s integrity often because, over time, the liner will harden and detach from the outside of the denture. The hardening and detachment are signs that you should replace the soft liner. 

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM A SOFT LINER?

If you wear dentures and your dentures are consistently uncomfortable, you may benefit from a soft liner. The soft liner will provide a cushion between your gums and your denture, making it more comfortable to wear and fit better. Additionally, if your gums have flattened, you also may benefit from soft liners. Soft liners encourage a better fit of the dentures, making them more comfortable for people with flattened gums. The closer fit will also lead to more jawbone stimulation and bone density. Without bone density, your jawbone will appear sunken. To maintain the shape of your jawbone, we recommend that patients invest in soft liners. 

HOW SHOULD I CLEAN MY SOFT LINER?

Cleaning soft liners are slightly different than cleaning traditional dentures. One of the main differences is that you should not store soft liners in a denture cleaning solution. To keep your soft liners moist overnight, you should place the liner in plain water. After removing the liner from your mouth, you should clean it by gently brushing it under running water. Make sure to use a denture-grade toothbrush to ensure the bristles are not too harsh and do not scratch the surface of the soft liner.

Similarly, it is also essential to avoid using toothpaste on the liner. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive for the surface of the soft liner and can cause damage to it. Also, patients should not use hot or boiling water on their soft liners. The boiling water can cause permanent damage to the liner. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO FOLLOWING MY SOFT LINER PROCEDURE?

Once you receive your first set of soft liners, there are a few instructions that your dentist will give you. First, you should wear your soft liner for at least 6 hours following the smooth liner procedure. Wearing it will help the material mold to your mouth. If you remove the soft liner before the first six hours, the liner could lose its mold and not fit in our mouth. The most molding occurs during the first two hours. We recommend that you do not eat for the first two hours following your soft liner procedure. During this time, the food could get into the mold and incorporate into the final design. If you have any questions about instructions following the procedure, don’t hesitate to contact our office or our dentists. 

Soft liners are a great solution to improve the comfort and fit of your dentures. Many patients opt for soft liners because their dentures are uncomfortable or do not fit well. If your jawbone is shrinking faster than expected, the attachment of the soft liner can stimulate the jawbone and decrease the rate of reabsorption. For more information about soft liners or to schedule an appointment, please call our office.