Dentures are often said to last around 5 to 10 years, but that number hides what really happens. The pink base and the teeth can stay in one piece for a long time, while the fit slowly changes underneath them. Most problems along the way, like a crack, a broken tooth or a snapped clasp, can be repaired. A denture usually needs replacing only when the fit, the worn teeth and repeated repairs all add up.
Here’s what wears out first, the signs that point to a repair or a replacement, and how to get more years out of the denture you have.
What wears out on a denture, and when?
| Part | What happens over time | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| The fit against your gums | Gums and jawbone slowly shrink after teeth are lost, so the denture loosens | A reline or adjustment by your dentist |
| The teeth | Biting surfaces wear flat, and teeth can chip or come off | Tooth reattached ($120 at Total Denture Repair) or replaced (free quote) |
| The pink base | Cracks from a drop or from flexing on a poor fit | Crack repair from $150 |
| Clasps on a partial | Bend or snap after years of taking it in and out | Clasp repair, free quote |
| The whole denture | Worn teeth, a poor fit and repeated repairs together | A new denture from your dentist |
Why don’t dentures last forever?
Your mouth keeps changing. Once natural teeth are gone, the bone that held them slowly shrinks. The lower jaw usually shrinks more than the upper. A denture made for your gums years ago gradually sits lower and moves more.
The teeth wear. Denture teeth are softer than natural enamel. After years of chewing they flatten, the bite closes a little, and chewing gets less efficient.
Acrylic ages. Older dentures pick up stains, odors and tiny scratches that are harder to keep clean.
Accidents happen. A single drop on a tile floor or a hard sink can crack a denture of any age.
Signs your denture needs a repair
- A visible crack or a fine line in the pink base
- A tooth that is chipped, loose or missing
- A bent or broken clasp on a partial
- A sharp edge that catches your tongue or cheek
- A piece that broke off, or a denture in two pieces
These are repair jobs, and most are done the same day. If yours snapped, see what to do when a denture breaks in half.
Signs it may be time for a new denture
- It’s still loose after a reline, or you need more and more adhesive to keep it in
- The teeth are worn flat and your face looks shorter or more sunken (see how dentures can change the shape of your face)
- Sore spots keep coming back
- The same area has cracked and been repaired several times
- Several of these at once on a denture that’s many years old
Only your dentist can tell you when you need a new denture. A repair shop can tell you whether the break itself can be fixed.
Repair or replace? A quick check
| Situation | Usually |
|---|---|
| One clean crack, and it fit well before | Repair: $150, often the same day |
| A tooth came off in one piece | Reattach it: $120 for one tooth |
| Two or three cracks | Repair ($179 or $269), and ask your dentist about the fit |
| Loose, worn teeth and an old denture | Talk to your dentist about a new one |
| Denture lost or badly damaged | A new denture |
If the denture fit well before it broke, a repair brings it back to how it was. That’s almost always cheaper than starting over.
How to make your dentures last longer
- Clean them every day with a soft brush and a denture cleanser, not toothpaste. Here’s how to clean dentures properly.
- Handle them over a towel or a sink filled with water, so a slip doesn’t become a crack.
- Never use hot or boiling water. It can warp the base.
- Take them out at night and keep them in water or a soaking solution. See can you sleep with dentures? and how to store dentures safely.
- Go easy on hard foods like ice, nuts and hard candy. Here’s a list of foods to avoid with dentures.
- Get the fit checked regularly. See how often dentures should be checked.
- Fix small cracks early. One crack is $150 to repair; three cracks are $269.
Where can you get a denture repaired?
In St. Louis, walk in to Total Denture Repair at 9495 Page Ave, Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM. No appointment needed, and most repairs are finished the same day. Anywhere in the U.S., mail it to us with a free USPS label. We repair it the day it arrives and send it back free by Priority Mail. Every repair comes with a 30-day warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Can dentures last 20 years?
Some people keep a denture that long, but by then the fit has usually changed a lot and the teeth are worn. An old denture that still feels good can be repaired. Ask your dentist to check the fit and your gums each year.
Do partial dentures last as long as full dentures?
It depends on the type of partial and on the natural teeth that hold it. Clasps and the teeth they grip change over time. A broken clasp or a lost tooth on a partial can usually be repaired. See our guide to a broken partial denture.
How often should dentures be relined?
As the gums change, a denture usually needs a reline every so often. Many dentists check the fit every year and reline when it has loosened, often every year or two.
Is it worth repairing an old denture?
Usually, yes. If it fit well and felt comfortable before it broke, a repair from $150 gets it back the same day. A new denture costs far more and takes weeks.