Even the best-fitting dentures won’t fit perfectly forever. That’s a given because mouths naturally change over time, and when that happens, relining dentures is often the best way to restore their fit without needing a whole new set.
With over 36 million Americans living without natural teeth, and about 90% of them wearing dentures, periodic adjustments like relining are commonplace.
What Is Denture Relining?
Denture relining is a process in which a dentist (or a denture lab) adds a new layer of material to the inner surface of your dentures to make them fit more snugly against your gums.
As your gums recede or your jawbone changes, a gap can develop between the denture base and your gum ridge. Relining fills in that space with acrylic or another material so the denture fits comfortably again.
Relining does not change the appearance of your dentures; it just improves how they feel and fit, and it’s a normal part of denture maintenance. Getting your dentures relined can even extend their life, and by doing so, you’ll postpone the need for an entirely new denture set.
Types of Relining Dentures
A good thing to note is that you can use soft relines or hard relines.
A soft reline uses a cushioned material that remains a bit pliable, which can be gentler on sore gums. The only downside is that this type may need to be redone more frequently.
A hard reline uses a harder acrylic (similar to the denture’s original base) and tends to last longer, about 2+ years before another reline is needed.
There are even do-it-yourself reline kits available. Quick Reline is an at-home “boil-and-fit” denture reliner kit that lets you mold a new lining for a loose denture yourself.
In either case, relining dentures is usually quicker and cheaper than getting a brand-new denture.
Signs You Might Need Relining Dentures
How do you know if it’s time to have your dentures relined? Here’s when we recommend relining dentures:
Loose Dentures
If your dentures are starting to feel loose or slip around when you talk or eat, especially when they didn’t when you first got them, that’s a good sign that you might need to reline your dentures.
Sore and Irritated Gums
When your dentures don’t fit your mouth, they can rub against the gums and create sore spots. So, if your gums are feeling tender or irritated, that’s your body’s way of telling you something needs to change. A reline can help.
Difficulty Chewing and Speaking
Trouble chewing is a common sign that your dentures don’t fit the way they should. Same with dentures moving when you speak. A quick reline can often tighten things up and help restore the confidence you need to eat and talk comfortably again.
Using Adhesives More Frequently
Using a bit of denture adhesive now and then is fine, but if you need more and more of it to keep your dentures from flying out of your mouth or keep them from giving you pain, that’s a major red flag.
Adhesives are meant to supplement a good fit, not fix a poor one. Therefore, if you’re relying on them heavily, it’s time to have your dentures relined.
Infections or Denture Stomatitis
Sometimes when dentures don’t fit well, they trap food and bacteria, which can lead to infections like denture stomatitis (which is a type of yeast infection in the mouth). A reline can help by improving the fit and reducing the areas where bacteria like to hide.
For more tips on what to do when your dentures just aren’t fitting right, check out our blog on How to Fix Ill-Fitting Dentures.
Do You Need a Denture Reline?
Relining dentures when needed can greatly extend their lifespan and improve your quality of life. Plus, it’s far more affordable (not to mention convenient) than having to replace your full denture set prematurely.
If you suspect your dentures aren’t fitting like they used to, a quick reline or adjustment might be all you need to get that perfect fit back.
Dental Lab Direct specializes in easy and affordable solutions that bring comfort back to you, all without the hassle of multiple in-office visits. If you’re noticing signs that it’s time for a denture reline, our process makes it simple to get the fit you need, fast.
Check out our quick relines and denture options today and see how easy it is to get started!
