A reline is a procedure used to re-fit the surface of a denture to a person’s gum. A new acrylic base is placed into the denture, duplicating the new form of the oral structures of the mouth. A reline can bring back suction, comfort, stability and help prevent food from getting under your dentures.
Relining affects only the fit of your denture and not the appearance. The requirement for relining occurs when bone and tissues change due to shrinkage.
Relines are required when tissue changes occur due to resorption (shrinkage). Resorption can be due to:
- Loss of weight
- Loss of teeth
- Loss of bone
- Aging
- Disease or illness
Dentures should be relined approx every two to three years. This is a normal part of denture maintenance and important to the health of the oral tissues and bone support for denture wearers.
A rebase procedure is similar to relining your dentures. The difference is that a rebase replaces all the pink acrylic denture base material. The existing teeth remain in the exact same place. Rebasing may be required if your denture is broken or weak. Also, immediate and initial placement dentures will require a rebase procedure.