How Long Do Dentures Last?

By Steve Sailer DD · Updated Mar 6, 2025 · 1 min read

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Quick answer

Basic dentures typically last around 5 years, while higher-quality materials can extend that range to 7-10 years depending on individual factors such as eating habits and jaw muscle strength. Over time, gum tissue naturally shrinks and the fit loosens, at which point a reline procedure - adding material to the inside of the denture - can restore comfort until a replacement set is needed.

Your basic dentures will last about 5 years. Investing a little more in a stronger material can make your dentures last 7-10 years. Depending on your eating habits and of course the strength of your jaw muscles, these numbers can vary from person to person.

It’s also very common for gums to shrink over time which causes dentures to become loose fitting. This is when we do a Reline. A reline is when we add material to the inside of the denture to improve the fit. This can be a temporary fix until a new set of dentures can be completed.

Steve Sailer, DD - Registered Denturist at North Hill Denture Clinic

Steve Sailer, DD

NAIT Denturist Program graduate, registered with the College of Alberta Denturists since 1993, 32+ years of clinical practice.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions

  • What causes dentures to wear out faster?

    Harder foods, grinding (bruxism), and irregular cleaning all accelerate wear on the acrylic surfaces and teeth. Jaw muscle strength and the rate at which your underlying bone and gum tissue change also affect how quickly a denture loses its original fit.

  • What is a reline and when is it needed?

    A reline involves adding new material to the fitting surface of an existing denture to compensate for gum and bone shrinkage. It is typically recommended when you notice the denture rocking, slipping during chewing, or causing sore spots - signs that the fit has changed since the denture was made.

  • Can I extend the life of my dentures with proper care?

    Yes. Daily brushing with a soft denture brush and a denture cleaner, professional polishing every six months, and keeping dentures moist when not being worn all help preserve the acrylic surface and slow deterioration. Avoiding very hard or sticky foods also reduces stress on the denture base.

  • When should dentures simply be replaced rather than relined?

    When the denture teeth themselves are worn flat, the base is extensively cracked, or the overall vertical dimension of the bite has significantly shifted, replacement is more appropriate than a reline. Your denturist can assess whether reline or replacement offers better long-term value.

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