What are Denture Relines & Why are They Necessary?
Dentures are an excellent solution to missing or damaged teeth. They can significantly improve your quality of life — you’ll feel more confident in social situations and be able to eat more of your favorite foods.
Even with a perfectly made denture, they’ll likely need to be relined over time. This is completely natural and expected. Our lifestyle and age affect the shape and structure of our mouths — which means you may need to get your dentures refitted to ensure the most comfortable experience possible.
In this article, we’ll examine a few reasons why your dentures may need to be relined over time and why it’s important to visit your denturist regularly.
What Are Denture Relines?
As we mentioned above, our mouths are in constant change. Over time, the shape and structure may change — which means your dentures may not fit as comfortably as they once did.
In order to ensure that your dentures fit properly, you probably need to visit your denture specialists a few times to accommodate these changes in your mouth.
These minor alternations are known as denture relines — and they’re crucial to your comfort and success with dentures.
What are the Common Causes for Denture Relines?
There are many reasons why you might need to get your dentures relined. Some of them are preventable, while others are the result of natural processes. Let’s take a look in more detail.
Time
Time is one of the most common reasons for denture relines. It’s simply a fact of life — our bodies begin to breakdown as we age.
This is especially true of our jawbone. When you’re missing teeth, your body begins to think that your jawbone is no longer necessary. As a result, your jaw begins to shrink over time.
Removing and cleaning your dentures every night is one of the best ways to slow this process. Removing your dentures gives your jaw a much-needed break and cleaning your dentures reduces the risk of infection.
Weight Changes
Significant changes in your weight can cause your dentures to feel loose or uncomfortable. When you lose a lot of weight, it can cause your gums and mouth to shrink as well. If you intend to lose weight, it’s not surprising to expect a denture reline as well.
Injury or Infection
If you get an injury or infection in your mouth, it can cause shrinkage. Inflammation in the jaw is one of primary causes of bone resorption — read more about bone resorption here.
If your jaw is injured or becomes infected, it’s reasonable to expect a realignment in the near future.
Do You Feel Like Your Dentures are Loose or Fitting Improperly?
If your dentures feel loose or have been falling out, it’s probably time to get them relined. At The Denture & Implant Centre, our #1 priority is your comfort.
Our professional team can offer the advice you need or reline your dentures as soon as possible — so you can get back to feeling like yourself. Schedule an appointment today.
