A denture reline is, as the term itself suggests, renewing the lining of your prosthesis. With time, your mouth goes through changes. And so should your denture. The goal of relining is to have the best possible fit for the comfort and health of your gums and remaining teeth. This makes talking and eating a lot easier.
The procedure itself is easy, affordable, and necessary for the proper care of dentures. Discover costs and how relining is done.
Denture reline types and procedure
What the denture reline process looks like depends on whether it is conducted in-office, in a lab, or if it is an emergency treatment. The material that is used also plays a large role.
Chairside reline
A chairside reline is done while you are in the dentist’s chair. Otherwise called a soft reline, it takes place during a single visit. It lasts for around 1-2 years.
Here is what the process looks like:
- The dentist will take your denture out and clean it. You may also get a professional teeth cleaning.
- He or she will then apply a flexible material to the inside of the denture. This can be anything from a rubbery to a waxy substance.
- The prosthesis will be placed into your mouth, so the putty molds to the exact shape.
- The material will then harden and your denture will fit as new.
It is designed for patients who cannot wear dentures anymore because their gums are tender. Neglecting to do this may result in sore spots in the mouth. This is because many dentures are made of a hard acrylic. The soft relining material is more pliable and comfortable for patients. Professionals often consider it the best kind.
If you have gone past the stage of getting sore spots, a soft reline may not be enough. Most of the time, the original shape of the denture is causing the issue. You may need an emergency reline, implant supported-dentures, or a simple surgery to correct this. .
Lab reline
A hard reline usually has to be done externally every 2 or more years. Even if the office is equipped to do them without a separate lab, a hard reline may still take a few days. You will be asked to come back within a week or so for a second appointment. During this time, you will be without teeth.
As compared to a soft one, a hard reline requires less adjustments but is less flexible to the touch. The process will look a lot like this:
- As with a soft reline, the dentist cleans your denture and mouth.
He or she then takes off a part of the plastic from the inside of your dentures. - Putty is applied wherever the denture makes contact with the tissue.
- Your dentist makes an impression of your mouth by placing the putty in the denture.
- The putty is left to harden.
- This is sent off to a lab.
- The lab makes acrylic in the exact shape of the impression. It is attached to the denture.
- The last step is coming in for a fitting. The dentist may make slight adjustments to make the shape as perfect as can be.
Emergency reline
Your dentist might decide you need an emergency reline when you come in for a routine exam or if you yourself have noticed an issue. This is usually when your gums are highly inflamed due to neglecting to have a soft or hard reline done on time.
The medicated material should bring down the inflammation in your mouth. Nothing else can be done until your soft tissues have healed. Here is an overview of the process:
- Your mouth and denture will be thoroughly cleaned.
- The dentist will apply medicated material to the denture and fit it back inside your mouth.
- It will harden quickly and you’ll be able to walk out of the office with your teeth.
An emergency reline is a quick appointment, but the solution itself doesn’t work in the long term. You will need to come back a few weeks later for a longer-lasting reline or a new denture. Not doing this may cause damage to your denture. The same goes for the soft tissues in your mouth.
There are DIY emergency kits available online. Since the material is medicated, however, we recommend you visit a dentist for professional treatment.
Denture reline cost
Denture relines can cost anywhere from $300 to under $500. It depends on the type of reline, chairside or lab, whether you have a full or partial denture, and the extent of the wear and tear.
- Hard, lab denture reline cost: $350 to $475
- Soft, chairside denture reline price range: $280 to $395
Temporary reline costs are similar to that of soft ones, as this procedure is also performed in-office. As emergency treatment, however, some dentists may charge an extra fee.
Denture relines are generally not covered by insurance. Each plan is different, so check with your provider.
Get affordable denture reline near you
Don’t overpay for a dental reline. It is not necessary to travel far or do extensive research to get it done affordably. There are ways to save both time and money.
The best example is the Authority Dental matching service we recommend. They will find a 24 hour dentist near you who suits your needs. Someone who is experienced, with a great lab and reasonable price list. The appointment can even be set up the same day.
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QA section
Is a denture reline kit a good option?
OTC reline kit is an option when going to the clinic is too expensive or inconvenient. But it’s always best to visit a dentist and let them handle it. You could cause more damage to the denture and your mouth if you do something wrong.
In the case that you do decide to purchase a denture reline kit, remember that they are not meant for partial prostheses. What’s more, this method is not long lasting, so you will have to have a professional look it over sooner or later.
How long does a soft denture reline last?
A soft denture reline may last up to 2 years.
How does a reline differ from a denture adjustment?
A reline is a type of upkeep, something you should do routinely to lengthen the lifetime of your denture. Adjustments are done when the prosthesis suffers trauma or there is a significant change in your mouth. This could be the loss of a supporting tooth, for example.