Denture Relining
When dentists refer to relining your dentures they may refer to one of three types of procedure: hard relining, soft relining and temporary relining. There is also a procedure called rebasing which is similar to a hard reline. Dentures are designed to closely match the shape of your gums, which means that most new dentures will have pretty good retention in your mouth. But as you age, your gums are prone to changing shape and the more you wear the denture, the looser it tends to become. Due to this, most dentists would advise that you have regular dental relining performed by a professional every two years at a minimum. Relining helps to stop flabby gum tissue forming under the denture and enables better retention from your denture.
- Soft Reline - In some cases, wearing dentures will cause patients to develop tender gums, causing intense pain whenever the denture is worn. In cases such as this your mouth is prone to developing sore spots in particularly tender areas. Soft materials will need to be used to reline the area. Dentists make use of pliable materials which can last for a couple of years before you will need to seek replacements. The consistency of the relining will largely depend on what material is used and may range from waxy to rubber. Most importantly, soft relining will help to prevent sore spots from forming by placing only gentle pressure on the gums. Due to the fact many patients only seek advice after they start experiencing problems; this will often mean that more serious issues have developed. The most common problems associated with ill-fitting dentures include ridges which need pressure to constantly be placed on the teeth so that they stay in place and overbuilt dentures. Luckily, these conditions are treatable through the use of dental implants or surgery.
- Hard Reline - During this procedure your dentist will extract some of the plastic from inside your dentures and then replace it with a putty like substance which will adapt itself to the contours of your gums before it hardens. This enables the denture to mould into a perfect impression of your gums which can be used to create a well fitting acrylic lining. Once your denture has been relined, it should provide excellent retention by closely matching the contours of your mouth.
- Temporary Reline - It is common for patients who do not service their dentures sufficiently to have their dentures fall into disrepair. This can cause a range of serious issues with your gums such as swelling and misshaping. In this case, your dentist will not be able to reline the denture or use putty to create a mould of your gums, due to the problems there. Instead, your dentist will make use of a medicate material which will help to combat the inflammation and soreness. Although this reline won't last more than a few months, it should fit reasonably well and give your gums the time they need to heal.
Caring for your Dentures
It is not advised that you wear your dentures for 24 hours a day without having regular breaks to take the pressure off your gums. Wearing your dentures constantly, can cause several issues with the bone structure in your gums such as the formation of flabby tissue. It is important to clean your dentures thoroughly and deodorise them at least once a day to combat bad breath. You can help maintain a good oral hygiene regime by soaking your dentures overnight in a specialised cleaner. Brushing your dentures with a soft brush and dish detergent instead of toothpaste is also advised. Overnight cleaning also ensures your dentures are clean and free from bacteria.
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Guide to Dentures