Living with Dentures

When should a denture be replaced? Relining, or a new denture?

A denture lasts seven to ten years on average, but every new denture sits on a smaller bony base than the one before it

Below we explain why a denture you have worn for a long time eventually needs replacing, how relining differs from a new denture, the signs that show it is time to replace it, and why regular check-ups pay off. At the end we add why every new denture sits on less bone than the one before it, in other words why time does not work in the denture's favour.

Short answer

A denture can usually be worn for seven to ten years, though this varies from person to person, and it is recommended to have its condition reviewed five years after it is made. Relining is the procedure sometimes also called resurfacing: a new layer is added to the inner surface of the denture so it fits the shrunken bony base again; it is usually done every one to two years, or whenever a change in the hold is noticed. If your denture rocks, keeps causing sores, will not stay in without adhesive, or your face looks sunken, it may be time to replace it.

Average lifespan: Seven to ten years, varies from person to person
Time for a review: Five years after it is made
How often relining is done: Every one to two years, or when the hold changes
Every new denture: Sits on a smaller bony base than the one before it

Why a denture needs replacing over time

Denture teeth are made from acrylic or composite and are not as hard as natural tooth enamel. Over the years they slowly flatten under the force of chewing; this flattening reduces chewing efficiency and shifts the height of your bite slightly. The base, too, absorbs colour pigments from saliva and food over time, its porous surface harbours odour-holding bacteria, and the material loses the freshness it had on day one. None of this makes the denture unusable, but it shows that the denture is gradually ageing.

What really changes is not the denture but the base it sits on. A denture is shaped to match the jawbone as it was on the day it was made. Because the bone keeps slowly shrinking after a tooth is taken out, over the years the denture can no longer achieve the precise fit it had on day one. Even if the base has not cracked and the teeth have not worn, this loss of fit is, on its own, a reason to replace the denture.

Relining and a new denture solve different problems. In relining, a new layer is added to the inner surface of the existing denture; the teeth, shape and bite stay the same, and only the surface facing the tissue is refitted to the shrunken base. In some cases, the teeth are kept while the whole base is renewed; this is called a rebase, and it is a more lasting solution than relining for a base that has discoloured or has fine cracks. In a new denture, both the base and the teeth are made from scratch; this is the right step if the teeth are noticeably worn, the height of the bite has changed, or the denture has been relined a few times and has gone loose again.

The figures vary from person to person, but the most reliable data we have is this: with regular care, a denture lasts seven to ten years on average. It is recommended that a dentist review the condition of the denture five years after it was made; this does not mean replacing it there and then, only measuring how much the bone has changed. Relining, on the other hand, is done much more often, every one to two years or whenever a change in the hold is noticed. The reason you see very different figures in different sources is that some measure how durable the material is and others measure how fast the bone is being lost; the two do not progress at the same speed.

The speed of bone loss is not the same for everyone. Your age when the tooth was taken out, bone density, how many hours a day the denture is worn, gum health and general diet all affect how fast the bone shrinks. That is why two people who get a denture on the same day can have very different experiences: one may have a noticeable looseness within five years, while the other wears theirs comfortably for eight. Lifespan estimates are therefore always a range, not a fixed date.

The signs that show it is time to replace a denture are clear. The denture rocking noticeably during the day, sores under it that keep coming back, adhesive becoming essential just to eat or hold the denture in social settings, visible wear or cracking in the denture, and a clicking sound while chewing or talking are all signs that the denture no longer fits the mouth properly. If several of these signs appear together, it is reasonable to book a check-up without waiting.

A sunken lower third of the face is part of this picture too. When the height of your bite drops, whether from worn denture teeth or a shrunken bony base, the distance between your nose and chin shortens, your lips sink inwards and lines become more pronounced at the corners of your mouth. Because this change progresses slowly, people usually do not notice it themselves; people around them, or comparing old photographs, is what makes them notice. A new denture can largely reverse this look by restoring the height of the bite to the right point.

Regular check-ups are the most practical way of catching a problem before it grows. Even if you have no complaints about your denture, seeing your dentist once a year lets you catch a pressure spot you had not yet noticed, a slight change in your bite, or early bone loss while it is still small. The simplest check you can do at home is this: does the denture feel different from last year, is there a new clicking sound, has a new sore started coming back. If the answer to any of these three questions is yes, there is no harm in bringing your appointment forward.

When relining is enough, and when a new denture is needed

We make this distinction by holding the denture in our hands and looking at how worn the teeth are, the condition of the base and the height of the bony ridge. The lists below are here to help you recognise your situation; the final decision is made after an examination.

The tooth can be saved

The teeth are still in good condition, only the hold has droppedIf there is no noticeable wear on the teeth and the only problem is that the denture no longer sits as tightly as it used to, relining is usually enough.
It has been one to two years since the last reliningThis is the usual interval for repeating a relining. The base may have shrunk slightly within this time, and a new relining closes that gap.
The height of your bite is still correctIf there is no noticeable sinking in your face and the distance between your chin and nose is the same as before, the height of your bite is being maintained, which shows that relining will be enough.
The base has no cracks and little discolourationIf there is no structural problem in the base, relining is simply a layer added to the inner surface, and it does not affect the outward appearance.

Saving it is unlikely to hold

The teeth are noticeably worn or flattenedWorn teeth do not change with relining; a new denture is needed to restore chewing efficiency.
The denture has been relined a few times but keeps going loose againEvery relining fits the denture to the base as it is that day, and because the bone keeps shrinking, the time it buys gets shorter each time. If a third relining is being discussed, a new denture or an implant-supported option should now be considered.
The base is cracked, broken or has changed colour noticeablyA base with a structural problem is not strengthened by relining. A rebase or a completely new denture gives a more reliable result.
There is sinking in the face, or noticeable inward collapse of the lipsThis shows that the height of the bite has been lost. Relining only corrects the inner surface; it does not restore the height of the bite, and a new denture is needed for that.

How the decision between relining and a new denture is made at the clinic

The sequence below is usually completed in a single appointment. At the end of it, you have a clear answer about how many years of life your denture has left.

1
We talk through the age and history of the denture
How old the denture is, how many times it has been relined before, and how long it has been since the last relining all feed directly into the decision. If you send us the age of your denture and a photo through the form, we can tell you in advance whether fixed teeth are worth discussing for you.
2
The degree of wear on the teeth is examined
Wear on the surface of the denture teeth shows whether the height of the bite has been maintained. Noticeable wear points towards a new denture.
3
The bony ridge is assessed
The ridge is examined by hand and, if needed, with a CBCT scan. If it is still well-defined, relining is enough; if it has flattened, the conversation changes.
4
The height of your bite is checked
The distance between your chin and nose, and whether your lips are supported, are assessed. This shows whether the sinking in your face is related to the denture.
5
The decision is made
If the base and bite height are still suitable, relining is recommended. If not, a new denture is discussed, together with implant-supported options if needed.
6
The procedure is carried out
Relining is usually finished the same day. A new denture is spread over a few appointments for impressions, try-ins and delivery.

The options

The options below are chosen according to the condition of the denture, from the least invasive to the most permanent.

Relining

A new layer is added to the inner surface of the denture, and the teeth and shape are kept. If the base has shrunk slightly, it genuinely brings back the hold, but because the bone keeps shrinking, its effect lasts a little less each time.

Rebase

The teeth are kept while the whole base is replaced with new material. If the base has discoloured or has fine cracks but the teeth are still in good condition, this is a more lasting middle step than relining.

A new denture

Both the base and the teeth are made from scratch. This is the right step if the teeth are noticeably worn, the height of the bite has changed, or the denture has been relined a few times and has gone loose again.

Implant-retained denture

Attachments are fitted to implants placed in the jaw, and the denture locks onto them. Rocking largely stops, and the uneven pressure on the denture, and so the effect that speeds up bone loss, is reduced.

Fixed teeth on implants

The denture disappears completely, and the teeth are fixed onto implants. Because the force of chewing passes through the bone, the base no longer keeps shrinking, and the cycle of relining or replacing comes to an end for good.

What happens if replacement is put off

We are setting these out so you know which changes progress without being noticed.

Bone loss speeding up

A denture that no longer sits properly on its base applies uneven pressure while chewing, and this uneven pressure speeds up bone loss. Putting it off means the next denture will sit on even less bone.

Chewing efficiency dropping

Flattened denture teeth can no longer break down food as effectively as before. This quietly shifts your eating habits towards soft, monotonous foods.

The sinking in your facial features becoming permanent

If the height of your bite stays low for a long time, the tissue around it gets used to this new position. Even if a later new denture corrects the height, it takes time for the tissue to get used to its old support again.

Repeated sores and fungal infection

A denture that no longer fits keeps rubbing the gum, and a fungal infection is more likely to develop on the moist, airless surface underneath. This cycle repeats until the denture is replaced.

Future options narrowing

As bone loss continues, the amount of bone available if implants are considered later also drops. A situation with a wide range of options today can turn into a more limited plan after a few years of delay.

What to expect after replacement

The course below applies all the way from the path that ends with relining to the path of moving to fixed teeth. Which one you are on becomes clear after the examination.

If relining has been done: the same day
The denture is fitted in your mouth the same day, and the difference in hold is felt with your first bite. A small adjustment may be needed, and this is done in a single session.
If a rebase has been done: one to two days
Preparing the base again in the laboratory can take one to two days. You can use your spare denture during this time.
If a new denture has been made: two to three weeks
The stages of taking impressions, try-ins and delivery are spread over a few appointments. Speech and chewing feel different in the first few days and settle within two weeks.
If you have moved to fixed teeth: three clinical days
In the protocol we use, day one covers the CBCT scan, the implants, a digital impression and your first try-in teeth; day two is for try-ins and choosing the final shade; day three finishes with your final teeth being fixed in place. After this path, the cycle of relining or replacing no longer comes up.

Message us right away if

Rocking continues after relining or a new denture. A noticeable improvement is expected after the procedure. If it continues, a further assessment is needed.
A sore has not closed up within a week. Small pressure spots are common after a new denture or a relining, but a sore lasting longer than a week needs a separate assessment.
A noticeable clicking sound continues while talking. This may show that your bite still does not fully fit. Let us know without waiting for your appointment.
Swelling, a high temperature or severe pain. These symptoms may point to something beyond the usual denture process. See a dentist the same day; if the situation is severe, go to A&E or call 112.

What determines the scope

The difference between relining and a new denture is large, both in time and in scope. We give you the right scope after an examination. These are the items that determine the scope:

Relining, a rebase or a new denture: All three are different procedures, with different timescales, laboratory needs and amounts of material used.
How many times it has been relined: For a denture that has already been relined repeatedly, a new denture may now give a more reliable result, which changes the scope.
The condition of the bony ridge: If the ridge is still well-defined, relining may be enough. If it has flattened, implant-supported options are assessed as well.
One jaw or both: The lower and upper denture usually wear at different speeds; planning both jaws together is calculated separately.

Frequently asked questions

How many years does a false tooth last before it needs changing?

With regular care, a denture lasts seven to ten years on average, though this varies from person to person depending on the speed of bone loss. It is recommended that the denture's condition be reviewed five years after it is made.

What is denture relining, is it the same thing as resurfacing?

Yes, they are two names for the same procedure. Relining is adding a new layer to the inner surface of the denture so it fits the shrunken bony base again. The teeth and the denture's overall shape do not change; only the surface facing the tissue is renewed.

How often is relining done?

The general rule is to have a relining every one to two years, or whenever you notice a change in the denture's hold. This is a much smaller procedure, done far more often, than replacing the denture completely.

Does relining or a new denture make more sense?

If the teeth are still in good condition and the height of the bite is being maintained, relining is usually enough. If the teeth are noticeably worn, the base is cracked, or the denture has been relined a few times and has gone loose again, a new denture gives a more reliable result.

What happens if I never replace my denture?

A denture that no longer fits its base properly applies uneven pressure, which speeds up bone loss. Putting it off affects not only comfort but also how much bone you have left if implants are considered later.

How often should a denture be checked?

Even without any complaints, going for a check-up once a year lets you catch a pressure spot or a change in your bite that you have not yet noticed. If your denture feels different from last year, or there is a new clicking sound, bring your appointment forward.

Is the sinking in my face related to my denture?

It could be. Worn denture teeth or a shrunken bony base reduce the height of your bite, which shortens the distance between your nose and chin and causes your lips to sink inwards. A new denture can largely reverse this look by restoring the height of the bite to the right point.

Why does every new denture feel like it does not last as long as the one before it?

Because every new denture is made to fit a bony ridge that is smaller than the one the previous denture sat on. Replacing the denture refits it to the current base, but it does not stop the bone loss itself, so the cycle continues unless you move to an implant-supported solution.

Sources

Send your X-ray and we will tell you which option is realistic for your tooth.

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Next step

Send your X-ray and we will talk through the options.

Share your CBCT or panoramic X-ray. We will write back within 24 hours on which option is realistic for your tooth.

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