Denture care
Denture relines and repairs in Miami
A denture that's loose, cracked or rubbing isn't something to live with. Most problems can be fixed with an adjustment, a reline or a repair — and the sooner, the better.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, DMD · Updated
Signs your denture needs attention
- It feels loose, or you need more adhesive than before
- Sore spots, rubbing or pain when you chew
- A cracked or chipped base, or a broken or loose tooth
- Food getting trapped underneath more than it used to
- Clicking, or a change in how you speak
- A smell that doesn't go away with cleaning, which can mean a hidden crack
Why dentures stop fitting
After teeth are lost, the gums and jawbone slowly shrink. The denture stays the same shape, so over time it loosens. Everyday wear, accidents and drops do the rest.
Adjustments
Sore spots and pressure points can often be eased in a single visit by smoothing or reshaping small areas of the denture.
Relines and rebases
- Reline. The fitting surface of the denture is reshaped with new material so it matches your gums again.
- Soft reline. A cushioned lining for sensitive gums, or while your gums are still changing after extractions. It's replaced more often.
- Rebase. The whole base is replaced while your existing teeth are kept — useful when the base is worn but the teeth are still good.
Some relines are done during your visit; others are made in a lab, which means being without the denture for a short time. We'll tell you in advance.
Repairs
Cracked bases, broken teeth and broken clasps on partial dentures can usually be repaired. If something breaks, bring every piece. If a denture has been repaired many times or no longer fits, a new one may be the better choice.
Please don't fix it at home
Glues and home repair kits can misalign a denture and damage it further, which makes a proper repair harder. If your denture breaks, read what to do if your denture breaks and call us.
Keeping your denture in shape
Bring your denture to your regular checkups so we can check the fit, look at your gums and polish away stains. A loose fit is easier on your mouth when it is caught early.
FAQs
How often do dentures need relining?
Can I use denture adhesive instead of a reline?
Can a broken denture always be repaired?
Can I wear a cracked denture if it doesn't hurt?
Can bleach remove stains?
Terms
- Reline
- Reshaping the fitting surface of a denture so it fits your gums again.
- Hard reline
- A reline in firm denture material; it lasts longer than a soft reline.
- Soft reline
- A cushioned lining for sensitive or healing gums.
- Rebase
- Replacing the whole base of a denture while keeping its teeth.
- Denture base
- The gum-colored part of a denture that holds the teeth.
- Clasp
- The small arm on a partial denture that holds onto a natural tooth.
- Denture stomatitis
- Irritation of the gums under a denture, often from a poor fit or from wearing it day and night.
Related
Start with a conversation.
Tell us what's going on, in English or Spanish. We'll take it from there.