Soft Denture Liners in Complete Denture Prosthodontics: A Narrative Review
Abstract: Soft denture liners are resilient materials placed on the tissue-contacting surface of removable dentures to provide a compliant interface between the denture base and the underlying oral mucosa. They have an important role in the management of selected edentulous patients, particularly those presenting with severely resorbed residual ridges, thin or easily traumatized mucosa, prominent bony areas, unfavorable undercuts, or persistent denture-related discomfort. Soft lining materials can be broadly classified into plasticized acrylic resin-based materials and silicone elastomers, while tissue conditioners constitute a group of short-term resilient materials used mainly for temporary tissue management. Their clinical performance depends on several physical, mechanical and biological characteristics, including resilience, hardness, water sorption, solubility, surface roughness, color stability, bond strength and resistance to microbial colonization. Although resilient liners may improve comfort, masticatory function, patient satisfaction and oral-health-related quality of life in appropriately selected patients, their clinical longevity is limited by changes in material properties, microbial contamination and possible failure of adhesion to the denture base. Recent systematic reviews have provided evidence of beneficial effects on pain, bite force, mastication and quality of life, although heterogeneity and methodological limitations remain. Contemporary research is focused on improving durability, adhesion and resistance to microbial colonization. This narrative review discusses the classification, composition, properties, indications, clinical applications, advantages, limitations, maintenance and recent developments associated with soft denture liners.
Keywords: Soft denture liner; resilient liner; complete denture; tissue conditioner; acrylic resin; silicone elastomer; denture relining; prosthodontics
How to Cite?: Dr. Kashinath Arabbi, Dr. Priyanka T, "Soft Denture Liners in Complete Denture Prosthodontics: A Narrative Review", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1920-1926, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26925194356, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26925194356