Restore the Fit and Feel of Your Dentures
With proper care and frequent visits to your dentist, dentures serve as a long-lasting dental restoration. However, you may find that after a few years your dentures do not fit as well as they used to. Drs. Clifford Degel and Carmen Every-Degel can perform a denture reline if your dentures feel loose, slippery, or uncomfortable.
Our Queens, NY, practice is equipped with its very own on-site dental lab to make the relining process as convenient as possible for you. In addition to relining your dentures for a more secure and comfortable fit, we also perform repairs for broken dentures.
Reasons You May Need a Reline
When you lose your teeth, your gums and alveolar bone tissue begin to break down over time. As a result, dentures that were designed and fitted immediately after tooth loss or an extraction may not fit well after a few months. A reline may be necessary if:
- Your dentures do not fit as comfortably as they used to
- Your gums and ridges have changed
If you are experiencing any degree of discomfort with your dentures, do not delay. The adjustments you need may be as simple as a reline or minor repair.
Your Consultation
During your appointment, we will examine the condition of your denture to determine whether a reline is the best option. It is important to remember that dentures that are five to seven years old may be due for a replacement rather than a reline. If you need new dentures, we may recommend longer-lasting options such as implant-supported dentures, which are less likely to need repairs and relines in the future.
If your existing dentures are in good condition, however, we can recommend which type of relining can best help you.
What Happens during a Reline
The procedure is simple and affordable for patients whose dentures meet the recommended specifications for a reline. One of our doctors will reshape the underside of the plastic base of the denture to more closely match your gums and bone structure.
There are two types of relines: hard and soft. Both options can help you achieve a more comfortable fit at a low cost without replacing your dentures.
Soft Reline
A soft reline is a good choice if you are still experiencing rapid changes in your bone structure or if you have sensitive gum tissue. For a soft reline, one of our dentists will apply a liquid polymer to the underside of your denture, remold it, and allow it to set. The process is completed in one appointment and patients can return home with their relined dentures the same day.
If your dentures are not fitting properly, do not attempt to repair them at home. This can cause irreparable damage to your dentures and require expensive replacement.
Hard Reline
A hard reline usually requires a longer process than a soft reline but can offer long-lasting results. Our dentists will use a durable plastic material similar to that of the plastic base to recontour the underside of your dentures.
Because we have our own on-site dental lab, we can perform this process in our office and offer a quicker turnaround time than most other dentists. In some cases, you may receive your dentures back the same day.
Discuss Your Options with a Doctor Today
If your dentures are not fitting properly, do not attempt to repair them at home. This can cause irreparable damage to your dentures and require expensive replacement. Your needs may be easily addressed with a simple reline. To schedule an appointment at Astoria Dental Group, call us at (718) 278-1123 or send us an online message.
