Your denture stays the same shape for years. Your mouth does not. The gums and bone it rests on slowly shrink and change, so a denture that fitted perfectly when it was made will gradually loosen, rub or rock. Daily cleaning keeps it hygienic, and periodic relines keep it matched to the mouth it sits in.
Why a good fit slowly disappears
Once teeth are removed, the ridge of bone that held them starts to remodel. In a 12-month study of extraction sites, Schropp and colleagues (2003) found that the major changes happened within the first year, which is why new dentures made soon after extractions often need adjusting or relining early. The bone keeps changing more gradually after that, for as long as the denture is worn.
Because the denture cannot follow those changes, small gaps develop under it. You may notice:
- the denture slipping or dropping when you talk, laugh or chew
- food collecting underneath
- sore spots or ulcers where it presses
- a clicking sound as it moves
- needing more adhesive than you used to
Any of these is a reason to have the fit checked. Our guide to using denture adhesive explains why adding more product is not a long-term answer.
What a reline actually changes
A reline replaces or adds to the pink fitting surface of the denture so it sits snugly against your gums again. The teeth, the bite and the appearance stay as they are. A hard reline uses the same rigid acrylic as the denture base and is the usual choice for routine fit correction. A soft reline uses a cushioned material that can help when the gums are tender or the ridge is very thin, though soft materials generally need replacing sooner.
How often a reline is needed varies a great deal from person to person. Your dentist will check the fit at your regular reviews and suggest a reline when the gaps start to cause problems.
Cleaning that protects the denture and your gums
Dentures build up plaque and stains in the same way natural teeth do, but acrylic scratches easily. The Better Health Channel and NSW Health recommend cleaning them in the morning and before bed with a soft brush or denture brush and mild soap and water, and avoiding toothpaste because it can scratch the surface. Clean over a basin of water or a folded towel so the denture is less likely to break if you drop it. A denture cleaning product can be used as well if your dentist recommends one; follow the pack instructions and rinse well.
Look after your mouth at the same time. Brush your gums, tongue and palate each day, and if you wear a partial denture, take extra care with the remaining teeth, particularly where the clasps touch them. Decay or gum disease in those teeth can change how the partial denture fits.
Give your mouth the night off
The Better Health Channel and NSW Health both advise taking dentures out before going to sleep, which gives the gums a rest. Continuous wearing is one of the main factors linked with denture stomatitis, an inflammation of the gum under the denture that is often associated with Candida yeast, according to a 2024 systematic review by Perić and colleagues in the Journal of Fungi. Overnight wear has also been linked with a higher risk of pneumonia in very elderly people, in a Japanese study by Iinuma and colleagues in the Journal of Dental Research (2015).
Overnight, Australian health services advise keeping the cleaned denture in a clean, dry container, unless your dentist or dental prosthetist has advised otherwise for your denture.
Typical costs for relines and replacements
The figures below are general Australian market ranges, not Lumi fees, and the right choice depends on the age and condition of the denture.
| Service | Typical market range (AUD) | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| Soft reline | $300 to $600 | Tender gums or a thin ridge |
| Hard reline | $300 to $700 | Routine fit correction |
| New full denture | $1,800 to $4,500 | Worn or broken teeth, repeated fit problems, an older denture |
For current offers, see our current deals page. Our denture cost guide covers the costs in more detail.
When relining no longer helps
Sometimes the ridge has shrunk so much that even a freshly relined denture will not stay put, especially on the lower jaw. A new denture may help. Another option is a denture that clips onto a small number of implants, which can make it far more stable for many people. Our comparison of implants, bridges and dentures and our guide to dental implant costs explain the options.
What patients ask about relines and denture care
Can I sleep with my dentures in?
It is better not to. Taking them out overnight rests the gums and reduces the risk of denture stomatitis.
My denture became loose quite suddenly. Why?
Weight loss, a crack in the denture, a broken clasp or changes in the gums can all cause it. Have it checked before you rely on extra adhesive.
Do I still need check-ups if I have no natural teeth?
Yes. NSW Health notes that regular dental checks are still important even without any natural teeth, and they are the time to check the fit. The dentist will also look at the gums and soft tissues of your mouth.
Having your denture checked
If your denture slips, rubs or clicks, our dentists can review the fit, check your gums and talk through whether a reline or a new denture makes more sense. Learn more about our general dental care or book a review at our Melrose Park practice.
Sources
- Better Health Channel (Victorian Department of Health): Dentures
- NSW Health: Denture care
- Schropp L, Wenzel A, Kostopoulos L, Karring T. Bone healing and soft tissue contour changes following single-tooth extraction: a clinical and radiographic 12-month prospective study. International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. 2003;23(4):313-23.
- Perić M, Miličić B, Kuzmanović Pfićer J, Živković R, Arsić Arsenijević V. A systematic review of denture stomatitis: predisposing factors, clinical features, etiology, and global Candida spp. distribution. Journal of Fungi. 2024;10(5):328.
- Iinuma T and colleagues. Denture wearing during sleep doubles the risk of pneumonia in the very elderly. Journal of Dental Research. 2015;94(3 Suppl):28S-36S.
