Written by Dr James Tran, dentist at Lumi Dental.
Most loose dentures can be fixed without starting again. When the denture itself is still in good shape and only the fit has drifted, a reline brings it back into contact with your gums for less time and money than a replacement. A new denture becomes the better option when the teeth, the base or the bite have worn out, because relining does nothing for those.
Which one you need comes down to a short examination of two things: the mouth and the denture.
Looseness is a change in your mouth, not a fault in the denture
When teeth are removed, the bone ridge that held them gradually remodels and shrinks. Schropp and colleagues (2003), following extraction sites for a year, found the major changes occurred during that first year, and the ridge keeps changing slowly after that. A denture is rigid, so it cannot follow. Over time it begins to rock, lift when you talk, trap food or press on one spot. This is expected with any denture, including one that was made well.
What your dentist looks at to decide
A reline or replacement decision usually takes only a few minutes of looking and testing. The dentist or dental prosthetist will check:
- The fit. How much the denture moves, where it rocks, and whether there are gaps under it.
- The teeth on the denture. Whether they are worn flat, chipped or stained, and whether they still meet properly when you bite.
- The base. Whether the pink acrylic is cracked, has been repaired, or has thinned.
- Your gums and soft tissues. Any sore spots, redness or ulcers, and the general health of the tissues under the denture.
- How it looks and feels to you. Lip support, appearance and how well you can chew.
If the fit is the only problem, a reline is usually suggested. If the teeth or base are worn or damaged, or your bite has closed down over years of wear, a new denture tends to give a better result.
Three kinds of reline
A hard reline adds new rigid acrylic to the fitting surface. It can sometimes be done chairside in one visit, or the denture can be sent to a laboratory for a more durable result, which means being without it for a short time.
A soft reline uses a cushioned lining that can make wearing a denture more comfortable on thin or tender gums. Soft linings generally do not last as long as hard acrylic and need careful cleaning.
A temporary lining, sometimes called a tissue conditioner, is used for a short period while gums heal after extractions or settle after sore spots. It is replaced with a longer-lasting reline once the tissues are stable.
For a fuller comparison that includes rebasing and the risks of home reline kits, see our guide to choosing between a reline, rebase or new denture.
Signs that a new denture is the better investment
Relining an old denture repeatedly eventually stops being good value. Replacement is usually worth considering when the plastic teeth are visibly worn and chewing has become harder, when the base has cracked or been repaired more than once, when your face looks less supported around the lips, or when the denture no longer looks the way you want. A new denture involves new impressions or scans, choosing teeth, a try-in and fitting, so it takes more visits, but it also lets the bite and appearance be rebuilt.
How cost compares
A reline reuses your existing denture and takes less clinical and laboratory time, so it costs considerably less than a new one. Fees vary between practices and with the type of reline. Dentures and relines are often treated as major dental by health funds, so the rebate depends on your level of extras cover, annual limits and waiting periods. Our guide to how health insurance covers dental explains the basics, and asking for a written quote with item numbers lets you check with your fund first.
Keeping the fit for longer
Daily care protects both the denture and your gums. Brush it with a soft brush and mild soap rather than toothpaste, take it out at night, and keep it stored the way your dentist suggests. Keep up regular check-ups even with no natural teeth, so the fit and the soft tissues can be checked. If a sore under your denture has not healed within two to three weeks, have it looked at. For people wearing a partial denture, the remaining teeth carry extra load, so regular professional cleans matter.
Questions we are often asked
Can a brand new denture need a reline?
Yes. Dentures made soon after extractions often need an early reline once the gums have healed and settled, because the ridge changes most in the first months.
Will I be without my denture?
A chairside reline is usually completed in the same visit. A laboratory reline means leaving the denture for a period, so it helps to plan around work and social commitments. Lumi has an in-house lab, and we will tell you the expected timing before you book.
Is a reline uncomfortable?
It is generally comfortable, because the work is done on the denture. You will be asked to hold still or bite gently while the new material takes the shape of your gums.
Getting your denture assessed
If your denture has become loose, sore or hard to chew with, our dentists can check it and explain whether a reline or a new denture suits you, and you will usually receive a written treatment plan, often by email. Learn more about our general dental care at our Melrose Park practice or see the current offers. This article is general information and not a substitute for personal dental advice.
