Dentures are a common solution for missing teeth, restoring function and appearance. To maintain their fit, these devices require periodic attention because the shape of the mouth naturally changes over time. Relining is the most frequent adjustment performed by a dental professional to ensure the denture remains secure and comfortable. This routine procedure helps prolong the usefulness of the appliance.
Defining Relining and Its Necessity
Relining involves adding a layer of new material to the tissue-fitting surface of an existing denture. This resurfacing fills the gap that develops between the denture base and the oral tissues, restoring the snug fit. The procedure is necessary because the underlying bone structure, the alveolar ridge, naturally shrinks (resorption) after teeth are lost. This gradual bone loss causes the gum line to recede, making the denture loose.
When a denture no longer fits correctly, patients experience symptoms like looseness, a clicking sound during talking, and food particles becoming trapped underneath. An ill-fitting denture can also cause chronic irritation, leading to sore spots, inflammation, or infections. Relining addresses these issues by conforming the denture precisely to the current contours of the mouth, distributing pressure evenly and improving stability.
Types of Denture Relining
The type of relining recommended depends on the condition of the oral tissues and the desired longevity of the adjustment.
Hard Relining
Hard relining uses a rigid, durable acrylic material, often the same material used for the original denture base. This process is considered a long-term solution for a loose denture and can last for two years or longer. Hard relines are typically performed when the oral tissues are healthy and can tolerate the firm surface against the gums.
Soft Relining
Soft relining involves using a more pliable, cushioned material such as silicone or a soft polymer. This type is often used for patients who have sensitive gums, chronic sore spots, or easily irritated tissue. While offering greater comfort, soft relines are considered semi-permanent because the material is more porous and wears out faster than hard acrylic, often requiring replacement within 18 months.
Temporary Relining
Temporary or conditioning relining is a short-term measure used to treat inflamed oral tissues. These are often soft, putty-like materials that allow irritated tissues to heal before a definitive hard reline is performed. The conditioning material is left in place for a short period, sometimes only a few days to a few weeks, to reduce inflammation and ensure the best possible impression for the final reline.
The Relining Procedure
The relining procedure can be performed either directly in the dental office (“chairside” reline) or indirectly by a dental laboratory (“laboratory-processed” reline).
Chairside Relines
A chairside reline is completed in a single appointment, which is convenient as the patient does not have to go without their denture. The dentist applies a self-curing reline material directly to the prepared fitting surface of the denture and then seats it in the patient’s mouth to capture an impression of the gums.
Laboratory-Processed Relines
Laboratory-processed relines are often preferred for hard relines. The dentist takes an accurate impression using the existing denture as a tray, and the denture is sent to a dental lab. Technicians use heat and pressure to process the new acrylic material onto the base. This indirect method results in a denser, smoother, and longer-lasting material, but the patient must be without their denture for a day or more. Once cured, the denture is returned for final trimming and polishing.
Relining Compared to Other Denture Adjustments
Relining focuses solely on the internal surface of the denture to improve fit, but it is often confused with other types of maintenance.
Rebasing
Rebasing is a more extensive procedure that involves replacing the entire acrylic base of the denture while keeping the existing artificial teeth. Rebasing is necessary when the original base material is significantly cracked, weakened, or structurally unsound, but the teeth are still in good condition.
Simple Repair
A simple repair addresses damage such as a chip, crack, or fracture in the denture. A repair focuses only on restoring the damaged portion, such as reattaching a broken tooth or mending a crack in the acrylic. Unlike relining or rebasing, a simple repair does not involve changing the denture’s structure to improve its fit against the gums.