Denture Realign Specialist

Northwest Dental and Denture

General Dentists located in Everett, WA & Bellingham, WA

Chronic mouth sores and gum pain could mean it’s time to reline your dentures. The experts at Northwest Dental in Everett, Washington, understand that the shape of your mouth and jaw change as you age. That’s why they perform denture relining at their state-of-the-art office. For dentures that look and feel like your natural teeth, ask the Northwest Dental team about your denture relining options. Call or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

Denture Realign Q & A

What are dentures?

Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth that are attached to a pink acrylic base. They fit over your gums and allow you to chew, speak, and smile as you did before losing your teeth. Dentures are custom-designed to fit your mouth perfectly, but they may need to be relined over time to accommodate your ever-changing mouth.

Why don’t my dentures feel right anymore?

As you age, your gums and tooth-supporting jawbone naturally shrink and change shape. As a result, your dentures may not fit as well as they did when you were first fitted for them. Normal wear and tear can also change the fit of your dentures.

When your dentures don’t fit right, they can feel uncomfortable, even painful. Poor-fitting dentures even lead to gum inflammation, red gums, tenderness, mouth sores, and infection, in some cases.

What is a denture reline?

There are three main types of denture relines:

Hard reline

During a hard reline, the Northwest Dental team removes a small amount of the plastic from your dentures and replaces it with a soft putty material. Next, they place the denture back in your mouth to make an impression with the putty. Once the dentures are taken out, the putty hardens into a soft, rubbery consistency that fits perfectly in your mouth.

Soft reline

A soft reline is best for patients with denture discomfort, especially if you have tender gums or mouth sores that make it impossible to wear your dentures for long periods of time. When performing a soft reline, the Northwest Dental team uses a soft rubbery material that’s more comfortable for most patients than a hard reline. The only downside is that soft relines require more adjustments.

Temporary reline

If you don’t see your dentist regularly to adjust your dentures, you can experience painful, sore gums that feel tender to the touch. In some cases, even a soft reline isn’t enough to alleviate pain in your gums. That’s why the Northwest Dental team recommends a temporary reline. While a temporary reline is similar to a soft reline, the team uses a medicated material in your dentures to reduce gum inflammation and alleviate pain. After a few weeks, your gum pain should improve enough for a hard reline or new dentures.

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