After your teeth are extracted, your gum continues to shrink as time goes on. This results in a denture that can be loose or ill-fitting. A reline fills in the gap between your denture and your gums with new hard acrylic to restore it’s stability. It is recommended to get a reline on a full denture 6-12 months after extractions and checked every two years after that.
We also have the option of a soft reline available which can either be temporary or permanent. The temporary soft reline is a tissue conditioner used to prepare the gums under the denture for the hard reline, allowing ulcers or sore spots to heal. The soft reline only lasts 6-8 weeks after which it should be made into a permanent material. The material is not designed to last a long time.
Permanent soft liners are a last resort for patients whose mouths cannot tolerate the hard acrylic due to bony ridges. They are not as permanent as hard relines, requiring replacement after two years.
A denture may need relining if:
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The denture no longer fits and sometimes slips or falls down.
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The denture is an Immediate Denture.
A reline does not:
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Improve the condition of the denture itself.
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Change the teeth or its' surface.
