What kind of maintenance might be needed on a denture?
1. Denture Relines
What are they and why do you need one?
A denture reline is when a new permanent lining is processed on to an existing denture to restore its original secure fit to your gums.
The reason why your dentures gradually lose their fit over time is because of gradual changes in your oral cavity as you lose bone when you no longer have natural teeth in your jaw. The denture itself is also susceptible to wear and tear over years of use.
Why is it important to keep your dentures fitting well?
Lots of reasons! When spaces develop between your gums and the denture surface food particles can get trapped which is uncomfortable and frustrating to manage. The denture also becomes unstable and can ‘rock’ causing soreness and increasing the chances of cracking and breaking thereby shortening the life of your denture. Lastly a poorly fitting denture can damage existing natural teeth and your gums potentially speeding up tooth loss and bone resorption.
Bear in mind however that not all dentures are suitable for relines. While acrylic partial dentures and acrylic full dentures can be relined, flexible dentures cannot. And only the acrylic section of the metal/chrome denture can be relined meaning that if the metal base no longer fits you usually need to be replace the whole denture.
When will I know I need a reline?
It is usually recommended that dentures are relined every 2 -3 years depending on individual circumstances.
Common signs that a denture needs relining can be food getting stuck in gaps around your gums and palate, rubbing and soreness or your denture feeling insecure or dislodging easily when eating or talking. However, while denture relines are a very effective way to prolong the comfort, fit and function of your denture no removable dental prosthetic lasts for ever. Dentures, even well-maintained ones, should be fully replaced approximately every 10 -12 years.
Are there different types of denture relines?
There are three types of reline that will depend on your particular needs.
- Hard denture reline
Under normal conditions a denture will need to be relined between two to four years from issue though each individual’s mouth will be different. When having a hard reline done an impression is taken using your dentures with a specific material which shows where the fit needs to be rebuilt. This material is then replaced with a new layer of acrylic so that the denture fits like new. - Temporary denture reline or tissue conditioner
Sore gums can really make life difficult so if you are suffering from this it may be appropriate to put in a temporary tissue conditioning reline to aid healing before a hard reline or new denture. Regular denture check ups can often catch potential problems with fit and function before they become this severe so please take advantage of our free follow up service to avoid these kinds of issues arising. Tissue conditioning relines are only meant to be done over a short period as if left they can cause other unwanted oral health issues which is why we will make an appointment in 2 -3 weeks time to assess how the treatment is working and advise you on the next step. - Soft denture reline
Some people are unable to tolerate the acrylic surface of a denture (nearly always a lower full denture) on their gums without chronic soreness/sensitivity or ulcers developing. This can be due to thinning gum tissue, sharp bony ridges, medications amongst other things. In this situation the denture can be lined with a softer material to make them more comfortable. This can occur at any time, even if you have been wearing your dentures for years with no difficulty. The soft rubbery material used in a soft reline cushions your gums and usually enables you to tolerate your denture again and get your function back. Soft denture relines can last up to two years but often need to be replaced more frequently as they are more easily broken down by saliva and everyday use.
What is involved in the process of having a reline done?
Most relines can be done in a day.
At our clinic we book you for our first morning appointment when an impression will be taken so we can see how much needs to be relined. The dentures are then left with us until later that same day while the new surface is processed. Later on the same day (or following morning) we will fit the newly surfaced denture and check the bite. We will then see you in a week or so to make sure no new sore spots have arisen now that the denture is fitting tightly again.
2. Repairs
Modern dentures are made from very technologically advanced materials, but they are not unbreakable or immune to wear and tear or the impact of aging on the oral cavity. And it is usually when you have a big meeting, job interview or special date when it happens. That is why, wherever possible, we do repairs in a day so you can get on with your busy life.
The most common kinds of damage that occur to dentures are:
- loss or fracture of a tooth or multiple teeth
- fracture of the denture base or complete break into two or more pieces
- small chip off the “wing” or side flange
- fracture of the denture base with part of the denture missing
- scrapes on the plastic which if left unattended can cause gum/mouth damage
The good news is that most breakages can be repaired unless of course your doggie has had a good chew, or you have run your denture over in your car (both scenarios happen – a lot!)
However different types of damage do have different costs that reflect the ease of repair. Be wary of home denture repair kits that claim you can fix your denture at home for a fraction of the cost.
They have their limitations:
- An incorrect repair can cause tissue damage in the mouth.
- Complex repairs are virtually impossible with do-it-yourself kits.
- The plastic material used to repair the denture, if mixed improperly, will cause an early repair failure.
- If done incorrectly it may cause further denture damage, increasing the cost of professional repair.
- If your denture broke because it was not fitting properly then it will most likely break
again soon after the repair. This is why we do a full assessment of your denture at the time of repair to determine why it broke. - They cannot be used when part of the denture is missing. Also NEVER use super glue to repair your denture please. It is toxic, doesn’t last and makes repairing your denture properly far more difficult and costly.
If your denture cannot be repaired, you may have to be fitted with a new denture. ☹
3. Tooth additions
Like the rest of your body, the mouth is subject to aging, daily wear and tear as well as unforeseen accidents and illness. All these factors can lead to further tooth loss which can be distressing.
If you are facing losing a natural tooth you do not necessarily need to have a new denture made as most dentures can have teeth added to them.
There are many reasons why you should have an extracted tooth added to your existing denture.
The loss of one or more teeth leaving spaces in your smile can affect your appearance, how well you can chew food and how you speak as well as the fit and function of your denture. Any remaining natural teeth can also move out of their natural place in the jaw as teeth are like books on a bookcase – when they are not stacked properly, they fall over. This can disturb the bite load which can speed up the loss of further teeth and make your denture even less effective.
So, the takeaway message is – keeping a full set of teeth is important!
Like relines tooth additions can be done in a day following the same appointment process usually after 2-4 weeks of healing.
Immediate additions
Sometimes it is appropriate to add the tooth/teeth to a denture prior to the extractions being done. This is called an immediate addition where the denture is modified beforehand, following a similar process as above, so the dentist can fit it at the time of the extraction.
The advantage of this method is that the denture assists with the healing process by acting like a ‘bandaid’ over the extraction site and you have no healing time with missing teeth. Not having a period of missing teeth can be especially pertinent if you are having front teeth extracted that are visibly in your smile line. Having the tooth to be extracted added first is also a consideration if it is a ‘clasped’ tooth that is holding the existing denture in place and its removal will destabilise the denture. In this situation it can be advantageous to add the tooth and move the clasp accordingly.
The disadvantage is that there will be shrinkage of the gum over time and the additional cost of relining under the extraction site a few months down the track must be factored in. If this is what you and your dentist thinks is the best treatment option, then we coordinate with your dentist to add the tooth as close to the extraction appointment as possible even on the same day.
Like anything, it can be a daunting prospect to decide how to move forward with your dental health. Our Senior Prosthetist is only too happy to discuss, explain and fully quote all the options with you and help you decide the best path forward depending on your individual circumstances. Remember all our consultations are no cost no obligation so be informed.
4. Clean and polish
Just like natural teeth, regardless of your oral hygiene routine, dentures are susceptible to plaque and tartar build up, staining and discolouration. Over time this is difficult to remove with standard home cleaning methods. Leave your denture with us for a couple of hours and we will get it looking like new again in using our ultrasonic cleaner and polisher. Removable partial or full dentures require proper care to keep them clean, free from stains and looking their best.
For good denture care:
- Remove and rinse dentures after eating.
- Handle your dentures carefully. Be sure you don’t bend or damage the plastic or the clasps when cleaning or drop them – dentures do not like hard bathroom floors!
- Clean your mouth after removing your dentures. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush on natural teeth and gauze or a soft toothbrush to clean your tongue, cheeks and roof of your mouth (palate).
- Remove and gently clean your dentures daily. Soak and brush them with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque and other deposits.
- Soak dentures overnight with a denture cleaner once or twice a week.
- Schedule regular denture checkups to ensure that your dentures stay clean and fit well.
- You should avoid: abrasive cleaning materials, stiff-bristled brushes, strong cleansers and any toothpaste meant for natural teeth.