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How Often Should Dentures Be Replaced?

Most dentures should be replaced every 5 to 7 years, and relined every 1 to 2 years in between, because your gums and jawbone keep shrinking after teeth are lost while the denture stays the same shape. A denture that’s loose, sore or cracked isn’t a crisis, but it’s a common sign it’s time for a refit, and a well-made set of removable dentures should feel stable, comfortable and natural again.

That 5 to 7 year figure surprises a lot of people. Plenty of folks wear the same set for 15 or 20 years, adjusting how they chew and putting up with sore spots. It works, sort of, until the bite collapses or the gums get irritated enough to cause real problems.

And for some people, the better long-term answer is to stop relying on suction altogether. Two to four dental implants can anchor a lower denture so it snaps into place and stays there when you eat, laugh or talk.

Columbus Dental Centre has been fitting and adjusting dentures in Woodbridge for over 26 years, and you can read more about our team and how we work before you come in. If a new set needs a few remaining teeth removed first, that’s done in-house with gentle oral surgery, so you aren’t bounced between offices.

Below you’ll find the signs your denture is past its prime, the difference between a reline, a rebase and a new set, and how to make your next denture last. Ready to get yours checked? Book an assessment online in a couple of minutes.

Why do dentures need replacing at all?

Two things wear out: your mouth’s shape and the denture itself.

Your jaw changes

When a tooth is removed, the bone that held it starts to resorb (shrink), because it’s no longer being stimulated by a root. The biggest change happens in the first year, but it continues for life. The lower jaw tends to shrink faster than the upper.

Your denture was made to fit the ridge you had on day one. A few years later, there’s a gap between the pink acrylic base and your gums. That’s why it rocks, rubs or drops.

The denture wears down

Acrylic teeth wear flat over time. That lowers your bite height, so your lower face can look shorter, your lips thinner and the corners of your mouth more creased. Bases can also stain, pick up odours, develop tiny cracks and become harder to keep clean.

Signs it’s time to replace your dentures

You need more and more adhesive to keep them in
They click or move when you talk
Sore spots keep coming back
You’re avoiding foods you used to eat, like apples or steak
The teeth look flat, chipped or stained
Your face looks more sunken or your chin sits closer to your nose
Cracks or repairs in the base
Persistent bad smell even after cleaning
Red, swollen gums or cracks at the corners of your mouth

Health note: A sore under a denture that hasn’t healed in 2 weeks should be checked by a dentist. Most are pressure spots, but any persistent sore or lump in the mouth needs to be looked at, including for oral cancer screening.

Reline vs rebase vs new denture: what’s the difference?

These three get mixed up all the time. Here’s the plain version.

Option	What happens	When it makes sense
Reline	A new layer of material is added to the fitting surface so it hugs your current gums	Denture is fine, fit is loose; every 1 to 2 years
Rebase	The whole pink base is replaced, keeping the existing teeth	Base is cracked or worn, teeth are still in good shape
New denture	Everything is remade from new impressions and bite records	Teeth are worn flat, bite has collapsed, denture is 5 to 7+ years old

Soft vs hard relines

A hard reline uses the same type of acrylic as the base and lasts longer. A soft reline uses a cushioned material for people with tender or very thin gums. Soft liners need replacing more often, roughly every year or two.

How long do different types of dentures last?

Full acrylic dentures: about 5 to 7 years, with relines along the way
Acrylic partial dentures: often used short term, a few years
Cast metal partial dentures: often 7 to 10 years or more, if the supporting teeth stay healthy
Implant-retained overdentures: the denture itself still wears and needs replacing, but the clips are swapped every year or so and the fit stays far more stable
Immediate dentures: placed the day teeth are removed; they need a reline after healing, usually within 3 to 6 months, and often get replaced within a year or two

A rough timeline of a denture’s life

First 3 to 6 months: Sore spots and adjustments are normal. With immediate dentures, the gums shrink fast as sockets heal, so a reline is expected.
Years 1 to 2: The fit is usually good. First routine reline often happens around here.
Years 3 to 5: Teeth start to show wear. A second reline may be needed. Small stains and odours build up in the acrylic.
Years 5 to 7: Bite height has dropped. Relines help less each time. This is the usual window for a new set.
Beyond 7 years: Many people still wear them, but problems like sore spots, sunken lips and chewing trouble become common.

Your timeline might run faster or slower. Heavy grinders, people with dry mouth, and anyone who lost a lot of bone before getting dentures often need changes sooner.

What happens if you keep wearing old dentures?

It’s tempting to stick with what you know. But loose, worn dentures cause problems that build slowly:

Faster bone loss. A rocking denture puts uneven pressure on the ridge, which can speed up resorption.
Sores and tissue overgrowth. Constant rubbing can cause ulcers and folds of excess tissue (epulis fissuratum) that may need surgical removal.
Denture stomatitis. Redness and inflammation under the denture, often linked to yeast (Candida).
Angular cheilitis. Cracked, sore corners of the mouth, often from a collapsed bite.
Poor nutrition. People quietly drop harder, healthier foods.
Jaw ache. A low bite strains the jaw joints and muscles.

Myths about dentures

“Once you have dentures, you don’t need the dentist.”

You still need yearly checks. Your dentist looks at the fit, the gums, the tongue and the whole mouth, including screening for oral cancer.

“More adhesive fixes a loose denture.”

Adhesive helps a well-fitting denture feel more secure. It can’t fix a bad fit. Using lots of it every day is a sign you need a reline or a new set.

“Dentures last a lifetime.”

Your mouth keeps changing, so no denture fits forever.

“You should sleep in your dentures.”

Most dentists recommend taking them out overnight to let your gums rest and to lower the risk of infection. Ask your dentist if you have a specific reason to keep them in.

Two real-world examples

A woman in her 70s came in using a full tube of adhesive every week. Her upper denture was 12 years old and the teeth were worn nearly flat. A new set restored her bite height. Her family said she looked “like herself again,” and she went back to eating salads with raw vegetables.

A man in his 60s kept losing his lower denture when he talked. His lower ridge had shrunk a lot. Two implants with snap-on attachments ended the problem, and he still uses the same upper denture.

What getting new dentures involves

Assessment. We check your gums, ridges, bite and any remaining teeth, and talk about what bothers you.
Impressions. Detailed moulds or scans of your gums.
Bite records. Measuring how your jaws meet and how much height your face needs.
Try-in. You see and test the teeth set in wax before the final denture is made. This is where you can ask for changes to shape, shade and position.
Delivery. Your new denture is fitted and adjusted.
Follow-up adjustments. Sore spots are common in the first few weeks. Small tweaks make a big difference.

How to make your dentures last longer

Brush them daily with a soft denture brush and non-abrasive cleaner (regular toothpaste scratches acrylic)
Soak them overnight in water or a denture solution so they don’t dry out and warp
Never use hot or boiling water
Clean over a folded towel or a sink of water, in case you drop them
Brush your gums, tongue and palate gently each day
Have the fit checked once a year, and reline when advised
Don’t adjust them yourself with sandpaper or glue kits

Dentures, bridges or implants: quick comparison

Full denture: Replaces all teeth in an arch, removable, least invasive, needs relines and replacement over time.
Implant-retained denture: Snaps onto implants, much more stable, helps slow bone loss in the implant area.
Fixed bridge: Replaces one or a few missing teeth using neighbouring teeth for support, not removable.
Single implants: Replace individual teeth without touching neighbours.

Denture care in Woodbridge and Vaughan

As a dental office in Woodbridge serving families for more than 26 years, Columbus Dental Centre handles dentures from start to finish, along with bridges, CEREC single-visit crowns and veneers, smile design, oral surgery, fillings, root canals, dental implants, teeth whitening, preventive care, children’s dentistry and laser dentistry.

We accept new patients and CDCP (Canadian Dental Care Plan) patients, which matters for many seniors now eligible under the plan. Our hours include Monday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, which makes it easier for family members to come along.

Our office is at Suite #201, 8333 Weston Rd, Woodbridge, Ontario. You can call +1 647-931-1100 or email columbusdentalcentre@gmail.com with questions about your current denture. Our dentists are registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my old dentures relined instead of replaced?

Often, yes, if the teeth aren’t badly worn and the base isn’t cracked. A reline refits the denture to your current gums. If the bite has collapsed or the teeth are flat, a new set usually works better.

How long does it take to get new dentures?

A conventional full denture usually takes several appointments over 3 to 6 weeks, covering impressions, bite records, a try-in and the final fitting.

Why do my dentures hurt suddenly?

Common reasons include a small food particle trapped underneath, a new pressure spot as your ridge changes, a crack in the base, or a gum infection. If pain lasts more than a couple of days, get it checked.

Does CDCP cover dentures?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan includes coverage for removable dentures for eligible members, and some services need approval before treatment. Our team can check your eligibility and walk you through the steps.