Denture Repairs & Relines

Keeping a Denture Fitting Well

A denture is fitted to the shape of your gums and jawbone on the day it is made — but that shape keeps changing. Bone gradually resorbs after teeth are lost, so a denture that was once snug starts to rock, rub or slip. Relining and repair keep it usable instead of leaving you to manage a poor fit with adhesive.

Relines

A reline resurfaces the tissue side of the denture with new material so it matches your gums as they are now. A soft reline uses a cushioning material and suits tender or newly healed ridges; a hard reline uses a firmer acrylic and lasts longer. Most full dentures need relining every few years.

Repairs

Cracked bases, fractured teeth and broken clasps can usually be repaired. Bring in every piece and avoid gluing it yourself — household adhesives contaminate the acrylic, are not safe in the mouth, and often make a straightforward repair impossible.

If a denture has been repaired repeatedly or no longer holds a reline, replacement is generally the more reliable option.