Denture Repairs & Relines

Service Description

Over time, even the highest-quality dentures need a little maintenance. Because your mouth is a living, changing part of your body, a denture that fit perfectly a few years ago might start to feel loose or uncomfortable today. This is where denture repairs and relines come in. These services help restore the fit, function, and strength of your appliance so you can continue to eat and speak with confidence. Why You Might Need a Reline The most common reason for a denture to feel loose is a natural process called "bone resorption." When you don't have natural tooth roots, the jawbone slowly shrinks over time. This creates a gap between the denture and your gums. The Signs: You might notice your denture slipping when you talk, or you may find yourself using more adhesive than usual. The Solution: A reline adds a new layer of pink acrylic to the underside of your denture. This fills in the gaps caused by the changing shape of your gums, essentially "updating" the fit to match your mouth exactly as it is today. Why You Might Need a Repair Dentures are made of a very strong acrylic, but they aren't indestructible. Accidents happen! You might need a repair if: The denture is dropped on a hard surface (like a bathroom tile) and cracks or snaps. A single tooth chips or pops out of the pink base. General wear and tear has caused a thin spot or a "stress fracture" in the material. The Lab Process: Why It Stays Overnight In our office, we want to ensure your denture is as strong as it was the day you first got it. While small, temporary fixes can sometimes be done chairside, a high-quality, long-lasting repair or reline usually requires the expertise of a professional dental laboratory. Here is how the process works: The Impression: The dentist will place a soft impression material inside your existing denture and have you bite down. This captures the exact current shape of your gums. To the Lab: We send your actual denture along with that impression to the lab. A specialized technician uses high-pressure "curing" machines to bond new, medical-grade acrylic to your old denture. This process involves heat and pressure that cannot be replicated in a standard dental office. The Wait: Because the new material needs time to properly "cure" (harden) and be professionally polished to a high shine, the denture usually stays at the lab overnight.