What’s Going to Happen at My Denture Reline Appointment?

Dentures are an excellent way for many patients to restore their smiles after extensive tooth loss because they look incredibly lifelike and are so comfortable that people often forget that they’re wearing them. Since the mouth continues to grow and develop after receiving dentures, it eventually becomes necessary to modify the appliance so it continues to fit properly. Here’s what you can expect to happen when you have your dentures relined.

Why Do My Dentures Need Relines?

After tooth loss, the jawbones lose the exercise they need to maintain their structure and remain strong. This causes them to recede and become thinner over time, and while dentures are customized to fit the patient’s mouth, they do not change shape to adapt to the shifting oral cavity on their own. This makes it necessary for dentists to occasionally make adjustments by attaching more material to the interior of the dentures, allowing them to hold their positions when the patient is speaking and chewing.

Poorly fitting dentures can cause oral health issues such as:

• Irritation
• Infections
• Ulcers
• Tissue overgrowth

What Will Happen at My Denture Reline Appointment?

If your dentures don’t seem to be fitting properly anymore, your dentist can help you get them to hold their place properly again. A reline involves placing additional material along the inner plate of the dentures that hugs the gums, allowing them to fit securely once more. The dentist will also take impressions of your mouth to monitor how it is developing. If your dentures only need a small adjustment, the procedure can probably be performed in the office.

If you need more significant adjustments, the dentures will have to be sent to a laboratory for service, requiring you to go without them for a few days.

Dentures will need periodic relines and eventual replacement even if you take excellent care of them. With proper hygiene and maintenance, you can expect a pair of dentures to last for up to ten years.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth J. Canzoneri earned his dental doctorate from the Northwestern Dental School and opened his private practice in Arcadia, CA shortly afterward. He is proud to hold memberships with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Southern California Academy of General Dentistry. His office offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture treatments. For more information on caring for your dentures, contact the office online or dial (626) 446-1679.