If your dentures aren’t fitting comfortably as it used to then it is time to reline or rebase your denture. Relining of denture adds materials to the inner plate which is attached to your gums to see any changes in the underlying soft and hard tissue in your mouth. When relining dentures, the dentists will be able to decide whether to repair and replace lost or broken parts of the dentures. A denture reline adjusts with your changing mouth and gums making the dentures fit more comfortably. It is also recommended to have your dentures relined every 1 to 2 years to keep them function and fit properly. There are three types of dentures reline that you can get: hard denture relines, soft denture relines, and temporary denture reline. Here are some signs that indicate it is time to reline your denture:
- Ill-fitting and loose dentures
- Difficulty when speaking and eating
- Swollen or irritating gums
While denture relining just improves the denture’s fitting, rebasing replaces the whole acrylic base of the denture with a new denture rebase material. Denture rebase replaces the entire base of dentures while still keeping the denture teeth. Rebasing procedure is done when the denture teeth have not yet been worsened in comparison to the denture base material. Rebasing a denture will also extend the lifespan of the denture. The process of denture rebasing is however more complicated compared to relining a denture and the wearer may have to go without denture for a time period. The best time to rebase your denture is after 5 years of wearing them. A denture rebasing may be required due to the following reasons:
- Weak acrylic base
- Broken or damaged denture teeth
- Replacing the temporary denture with a permanent denture
Why does denture stop fitting properly?
Dentures also known as false teeth are replacements for missing teeth and Depending on the number of teeth a patient requires dentures can either be full or partial. However, dentures may get uncomfortable and loosen over years. Dentures that do not fit well can result in sores to form. Your mouth changes over time which means that the jawbone and the ridges may shrink over the years, and especially the alveolar ridge of the lower jaw. This may cause your dentures to not fit properly. Other reasons such as weight loss, disease or illness can also affect how your dentures fit. Regular wear and tear on your dentures can also make your dentures less snug over time causing you pain and discomfort when wearing the dentures. You will need to make an appointment with your dentist if your dentures have begun to feel loose or as comfortable as they used to be. They will reline your dentures if it only needs some adjustments or will rebase your dentures if they are broken, or you have had them for a long period of time. The dentist will also give advice on how to take care of your dentures after relining or rebasing them.