A denture reline is a dental procedure used to improve the fit of dentures when they start feeling loose or uncomfortable. Over time, the shape of your gums and jawbone can change due to natural bone resorption (shrinking) after tooth loss. As a result, dentures that once fit snugly may no longer sit properly.

When natural teeth are lost, whether due to disease or trauma, changes in the mouth and jaw are inevitable. While dentures mimic the natural teeth in helping to support the framework of your mouth, bone loss or resorption still occurs, causing shrinkage of oral tissues. Denture relines are necessary to accommodate these changes and ensure an ongoing close fit.

In a reline, your dentist reshapes the inner surface of the denture so it better conforms to the current contours of your gums. This is usually done by adding new acrylic material to the base of the denture. The process doesn’t change the appearance of your dentures but makes them more stable and comfortable to wear.