What Are Denture Relines?
Posted on: 3 February 2023
If you have been wearing false teeth for some time, then it may well be the case that your dentist suggests relining your dentures at some point. Typically, this will be something they will bring up following a dental check-up. Denture relines can be carried out on full and partial dentures. What are they and what can you expect at an appointment with your dentist where denture relining will be carried out? Read on to find out.
Adjusting the Internal Structure of Dentures
False teeth don't tend to change their shape and structure over time. In other words, they have a fixed configuration. However, the body does not and this includes your gum. As it changes, perhaps because of rotten teeth that have been removed or because of the natural ageing process, dentures that once fitted well will tend to become more and more ill-fitting. You might have noticed this yourself, especially if you use an adhesive for your false teeth. It might not be as effective as it once was. The solution is to reline your dentures. In other words, denture relines mean reshaping the part of your false teeth that comes into contact with the gum line to produce a better-fitting result.
How Are Denture Relines Carried Out?
There are two ways that dentures can be relined. One is to take an impression of your gums. Your dentist will do this. Then, the impression will usually be sent to a dental technician who will shape new dentures to this outline. In such cases, you can keep your dentures while the work is carried out. The other method is for some of the denture material that faces your gum to be removed. If so, it could be that you are without your false teeth temporarily.
Hard and Soft Denture Relining
Along with the two methods that are used for denture relines, there are two types of relining that dentists can offer. The first is a so-called soft reline. Made from silicone that can adapt to the specific contours of your gum, this spongy material is usually applied in lower jaw dentures where hard relines might be uncomfortable. Conversely, hard relines are made from the same materials that denture bases are formed from. These are more common among upper sets of false teeth. Either way, relining dentures should make them fit better, become less prone to slipping down when eating and improve oral health. This is because it is less likely for food to get trapped between the denture and your gum after it has been relined.
Reach out to your local denture reline service provider for more information.
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