Denture Reline: What To Expect From the Process

Dentures are one of the most reliable and long-lasting ways to replace missing teeth. However, even if they’ve worked for many years, it’s still possible for your facial structure to change over time. This can end up causing your prosthetics not to fit as perfectly as they used to. To avoid any problems that can come from this, you may need to have your dentures relined. Read on to learn what to expect from this service and how it can help you regain your durable bite.

Why Would Your Dentures Need to Be Relined?

Most people who have struggled with tooth loss know all too well how this can cause the rest of your smile to change along with your facial shape. Over time, your bone tissue can begin to alter or even shrink due to a lack of stimulation in the jawbone to promote healthy bone growth. Even if you have remaining natural teeth, these can start to shift out of place or fall out.

Although dentures can serve as placeholders for any existing teeth, they won’t stop the jawbone from shrinking. This is why relining your prosthetics is important, as this treatment can help you continue to enjoy a strong and reliable bite. Dentists typically recommend getting this service every few years so that your prosthetics remain up-to-date with any facial changes that may have occurred.

What to Expect From a Denture Reline

Fortunately, getting your dentures relined won’t require you to be in the dental office much of the time. In many cases, this process takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on particular circumstances. While most dental offices could reline your dentures in-house, they may send your prosthetics to a trusted dental lab if your mouth underwent drastic changes.

During a denture reline, the technicians will generally add new material to the area that rests atop your gums. This will help your prosthetics remain in place while wearing them. Your dentist might recommend a soft or hard reline. A soft denture reline uses special resin to develop a more cushioned feel, and it’s mainly reserved for patients who experienced fast bone loss. A hard reline utilizes acrylic to create a harder and longer-lasting solution for the base of your prosthetics.  

While dentures are an incredible way to replace missing teeth, it’s important to know that relines might be necessary down the road. Fortunately, your dentist will be more than happy to walk you through the process when the time comes so that there aren’t any surprises.

About the Practice

At Imagine Smiles, our team offers a holistic approach to improving your oral health, providing effective and natural-looking solutions for fixing your smile. We can create personalized dentures that can fit your mouth perfectly so that you can enjoy a stronger and more reliable bite again. If you want to know more about denture relining or wish to schedule an appointment, feel free to visit our website or call our office at 763-269-8650.