Your dentures will last for long period of time but like any form of device are prone to wear and tear. They can start to show signs of age after a few years usage and will either require rebasing or relining.
A rebase is the process in which the dentist fabricates a new plate (or base) for the denture.
Relining a denture means using a soft or hard resin to line the surface of the plate.
What happens is that your jaw bone and gums start to shrink as a result of tooth loss. They also do this as part of the ageing process as well. If missing teeth are not replaced, either with dental implants or dentures than a condition called ‘bone resorption’ can occur. Basically, your jawbone looses volume and density.
This is why it is so important that missing teeth are replaced.
Dentures are a good, cost-effective way of doing so and last for many years. They are easy to keep clean and look and behave in the same way as your natural teeth. Modern dentures look so realistic that people find it difficult to distinguish between these and natural teeth!
Dentures also require check ups on a regular basis. This enables the dentist to check their condition and fit and adjust them if need be. If your dentist notices that your dentures don’t fit as well as they used then he/she will repair them via relining or rebasing.
What are they relined with?
You will have a choice between two types of resin: hard and soft. A hard resin is better for long term use and tends to last longer than a soft resin, but it is not as flexible.
A soft resin is flexible and better at absorbing the pressures in your mouth caused by chewing. However, it doesn’t last that long and will have to be replaced every few months. They tend to be popular with patients who find hard reliners difficult to adapt to.
Dentists prefer to use hard resin as it last much longer but talk to your dentist if you would prefer a soft reliner.
What is the relining procedure?
The procedure takes around 30 minutes to an hour and you will be able to take your dentures with you as soon as it is finished.
The procedure starts with your dentist cleaning your denture before removing a small amount of material from it. This material is the part that usually rests on your gums.
He or she will apply a hard or soft resin inside the denture in order to reline it. You will then be asked to replace the denture back into your mouth.
This creates an ‘impression’ of your teeth (an imprint of your teeth in the resin) and the inside of your denture. As this hardens it tightens which results in your dentures fitting better than before.
Your dentist will check the fit of your denture and will give them a final polish.
The relining process increases the thickness of the plate which will become a problem over a period of time. Once this stage has been reached then a rebase will be required.
There are alternatives to this procedure which include the Valplast flexible partial denture and dental implants.
Dentures Guide Index:
- What are dentures?
- I have had all my teeth removed, how soon can I wear a denture?
- How are they fitted?
- Will people notice that I am wearing dentures?
- How do I eat with dentures?
- Will my speech be affected?
- Do I need to use a fixative to keep them in place?
- What is the best way of cleaning my dentures?
- What are the benefits of dentures?
- How long do dentures last for?
- Do I still need regular check ups at my dentist?
- How much do dentures cost?
- Is there an alternative to dentures?
- Valplast Flexible Partial Dentures
- Denture Relining
- Denture Adhesives
- Denture Fixatives
- Smile Makeover
- Teeth Whitening
- Dental Veneers
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Bridges
- Dental Restorations
- Dental Implants
- Cerec dentistry
- Cosmetic Bonding
- Tooth Reshaping
- Full Mouth Reconstruction
- Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
- Teeth Straightening
- Inman Aligner
- 6 month smiles
- Damon Braces
- Lingual braces
- General Dentistry
- Dental Hygiene
- Perio Protect
- Dental Floss