What's the Difference Between a Denture Reline and a Rebase?

As dentures age, they can lose some of their original fit. In some cases, false teeth become worn and change shape; in other cases, your facial shape or structure might change. This can happen if you lose or gain weight. Jawbones also often change shape after you replace natural teeth with dentures.

In either case, your dentures might start to feel loose or their fit might feel uneven. You might find it harder to eat certain foods, and you might have to rely on adhesives to keep your dentures steady.

While you sometimes need to replace older dentures when they reach the end of their useful working life, you do have other options before this stage. For example, your dentist can use a reline or a rebase to improve your teeth's fit.

What are the differences between these two options?

What Is a Denture Reline?

When your dentist relines your dentures, they add a material to the denture plate. This material goes on the side of the denture that sits on your mouth. It fills in gaps or boosts thinned areas to give the plate a more secure and comfortable fit.

Relines can be soft or hard. The option your dentist recommends depends on the condition of your plate and your mouth. Your dentist also considers any problems you might have with your false teeth at the moment.

Soft relines are made from flexible silicone materials. Their softness gives them a more cushioned feel, so they are a good solution if your dentures irritate your gums or if you have difficulty eating certain foods. They provide additional comfort as well as an improved fit.

However, soft relines don't last as long as hard ones. Their softer materials wear faster, so you might need to have new relines more often in the future.

Hard relines use resin acrylics to boost denture fit. These acrylics are similar to the materials your dentist used to make your original denture plates. While harder, these relines don't wear as quickly, so you won't have to fit new ones as often. Your dentures will stay in place for longer between relines.

After any reline, your teeth should fit more comfortably and effectively. They won't feel loose or uneven. Their boosted base will have a better hold in your mouth.

What Is a Denture Rebase?

When your dentist rebases your dentures, they remove some or all of your dental plate. They keep your current false teeth but restore the plate that holds them. This can involve replacing some of your existing plate or replacing it all and then resetting your current teeth into it.

A denture rebase sometimes improves the fit of dentures when a reline won't work. For example, if a denture plate is very worn and thin, then a reline might not be enough to make your teeth comfortable to wear again.

However, rebasing also sometimes repairs worn or damaged plates. For example, if you have a crack in your plate, but your teeth are still in good shape, then a rebase could be a good move. Or, if your dentist thinks that your plate is weak and might break soon, then a rebase gives your dentures a new lease of life as well as a more comfortable fit.

Restoring part or all of your plate gives you dentures that are as good as new without the costs of buying a completely new set of false teeth. Your dentures will fit better and last longer.

If you have problems with denture fit, then contact AQ Denture and Dental Implant Center. We can help you decide whether to have a reline or a rebase. Our on-site lab provides high-quality repairs and restorations, often on a same-day basis, so you will get the solution you need without a long wait.