Whether artificial or the original article, teeth take a lot of maintenance to keep looking their best. That’s why it’s important you don’t get complacent with your new teeth. Even though they may be made out of the latest technology in terms of materials, your mouth is a warzone full of acids, bacteria, plaque, dyes and, for some, even smoke. However, even the cleanest, most harmless of mouths still need dentures that are regularly seen by professionals for a relining. One version in particular is known as a soft reline.
Stains and other damage lead to dentures that either look fake or all too-real. However, that’s not the worst thing that can happen to them. Ill-fitting dentures cause all manner of problems, many of which you can actually feel. Perhaps you’ve already experienced this. Should they get loose, they can cause a clicking noise when you speak or chew. Of course, they can also give you the distinct impression they’re about to pop out altogether. If food particles can sneak between the separation, you’ll have agitated gums to deal with and will need to excuse yourself to resolve the problem.
Even the best dentures eventually suffer from some issues with their fit though. It’s not always as bad as the last paragraph, but most wearers will feel like they’re slipping at some point. This is completely natural because your jawbone is almost permanently reacting to the trauma of losing teeth. Unfortunately, it reacts by shrinking in size, which eventually leaves your dentures bigger than the jaw it was made for. Even the slightest discrepancy is tough to ignore.
Fortunately, a relining will fix matters usually with one appointment. Your dentist will use an acrylic to mold the inside of your jaw and measure how much needs to be added to your dentures to close the gap. Sometimes the normal acrylic is too hard for people with tender gums. In that case, they’ll do what’s called a soft relining.
The softer material will be easier on your gums, but the result will most likely need to be updated more often. However, this generally just means sometime between one and two years. Your dentist will know how long is reasonable, but you can always visit them early if your dentures are uncomfortable.
A soft relining only takes one appointment, though it can be a few weeks before the lining comes back and your dentures can be updated.
