It’s natural for oral and facial changes to occur while wearing dentures. Since these prosthetics only restore the visible portions of your smile (the crowns), the jawbone will shrink over time, causing artificial teeth to become uncomfortable, slip, or even create sores inside the mouth. If this is something that you’re currently experiencing, your dentist may recommend having your denture relined. Keep reading to learn what you can expect from this process and how it can help you enjoy a more comfortable smile.
Why Do Dentures Need to Be Relined?
If you previously suffered from tooth loss, you understand the changes your face and smile can go through over time. As you age, your bones and tissues will morph because of the lack of stimulation being delivered to your jawbone. This causes the area to shrink or experience what is known as “bone resorption.” As this happens, any remaining healthy teeth may become loose and fall out, and your facial features will start to sag.
If you are wearing dentures, the shrinking of the jawbone does not stop, which is why having a denture relined is essential.
Generally, it is not uncommon for your dentist to recommend this type of treatment every few years so that your teeth remain comfortable inside your mouth, and any remaining supportive structures avoid further damage.
What Happens During a Denture Reline?
The process itself does not require much time to be spent in the dentist’s office. It usually only takes 30 minutes to one hour to complete the reline.
Most dentists can take care of it in-house if the adjustment is minor; however, if your denture does not fit because of drastic changes or damage, it may require sending it off to a dental lab for relining.
In most cases, though, a reline involves adding new material to the area surrounding your gums. This ensures that the denture fits correctly and comfortably once in place.
Your dentist will determine if you need a soft or hard denture reline. A soft reline is recommended if you experience rapid bone loss, and it requires the use of specialized resin to create a more cushioned feel – a component that the dentist will adjust until it achieves the ideal fit.
A hard reline uses new acrylic, which can be initially harder on your gums, especially if they are sensitive, but they tend to last much longer. Although these can be performed on the same day, many dentists will leave it up to a dental lab to complete.
When choosing dentures to replace your missing teeth, accepting that relines are part of the process is necessary. If you want to discuss other options for tooth replacement, make sure to talk to your dentist to see what might be available to help meet your unique needs.
About the Practice
Dentistry by Brand is led by three well-respected dentists in Garland, two of whom are father and son. Offering patients tooth replacement solutions that are highly effective, dentures continue to be one of the most popular options available in our office. With a team that is capable of developing comfortable prosthetics that function well and look beautiful, we encourage patients to contact us at (972) 495-9009 and learn more about how these new teeth can change the way they live their life.