If you wear dentures, you may notice over time that they feel less comfortable or don't fit as well. This happens for two reasons: Your mouth gradually changing due to both the pressure from your dentures and the natural result of aging, and because the material that lines your dentures wears out over time. Whatever the cause, when this occurs, go to your dentist for a denture reline.

What Is Denture Relining?

The lining is the part of the denture that touches your gums directly. It's fitted to the contours of your mouth when you first get your dentures. When the inside of your mouth changes over time, your lining needs to be readjusted to fit properly. There are two types of materials that are used to line the inside of your dentures: hard acrylic or a soft silicone compound. The process for relining your dentures depends on the type of material you use.

Hard Reline

Your dentist will remove some of the acrylic material of your dentures, then take an impression of your mouth and have the acrylic remade to match the new shape. This process is called a hard denture reline, which you can expect to need approximately every two years.

Soft Reline

You can also receive a soft denture reline. For this procedure, instead of using hard acrylic material, a soft, rubbery substance is placed on specific areas of your dentures. This procedure is most helpful for those whose dentures tend to rub against areas in their mouths, causing painful sore spots. However, the softer material makes the dentures more comfortable and easier to wear. The lining used in soft relines requires more upkeep and adjustments than the hard acrylic lining—about every one to two years. If your mouth sores are severe, you may also need to temporarily use a medicated denture lining to help soothe them.

For denture relines and other repairs in Columbia Falls, MT, choose Flathead Denture. For seven years, their attentive and compassionate staff has offered Flathead County residents complete care for dental prosthetics including dentures, partials, bridges, and cosmetic dentistry procedures. They offer no-interest financing and accept Medicaid, in order to make their treatments more accessible. To schedule a visit, call (406) 892-0700 or visit them online.