Dentures are incredibly lifelike and amazingly comfortable, they need regular care and maintenance to stay looking great and working properly. Since the jawbones and gums continue to change over time after getting dentures, part of this maintenance is getting denture relines from your dentist when necessary. Denture relines adjust the fit of the appliance so it can fit well and stay in place without any troublesome complications. Here’s what a denture reline is and what getting one is like.
What Is a Denture Reline?
The jawbone needs exercise to stay healthy and strong, and this stimulation normally comes from supporting the teeth during the chewing process. If a tooth is lost, this exercise is lost with it, and the jaw will begin to atrophy. As the jawbone recedes, a pair of dentures that once fit fantastically may begin to slip and slide when the patient eats or speaks, making it harder to chew or form words properly. It can even lead to embarrassing situations where the dentures fall out of the mouth.
Your dentist will use a denture reline to adjust the way your appliance fits a changing mouth. During a denture reline, your dentist will place material at the points where your denture makes contact with your gums. A hard reline uses more rigid and durable materials for a longer-lasting fix. A soft reline uses softer materials for a more temporary solution that is easy on sensitive mouths. Soft relines are often used after oral surgeries.
What Is Getting a Denture Reline Like?
For a song denture reline, your dentist will thoroughly clean your appliance and remove some of the material that makes contact with the gums. They will then apply a special resin to the denture and place it over your gums, creating an impression. Soft relines are sometimes called same-day relines, as they can be performed in less than an hour in one appointment.
A hard reline takes more than one day, and the appliance will be sent to a special lab away from the dentist’s office. You will have to go a few days without your dentures while the work is being done. At the lab, the base of your denture will be repaired and reinforced with new acrylic material.
Getting dentures can be a lot of work, so you’ll want to make sure that your appliance stays functional and comfortable for as long as possible. With proper care and maintenance, a pair of dentures can last for up to ten years.
About the Practice
Tylan Creek Family Dentistry provides stellar dental care to the community of Simpsonville, SC. Led by a team of seven dentists, the staff ensures each patient receives courteous and compassionate care in a warm and welcoming setting. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to denture services. If you think you might need a denture reline, contact the office online or dial (864) 962-6671.