The short answer
A denture that slips, clicks, or rubs usually means the gum ridge under it has changed shape, not that the denture is worn out. A reline adds new material to the underside so it fits the ridge again. A rebase replaces the whole pink base but keeps the teeth. A new denture makes sense when the teeth are badly worn, the base is cracked, or the fit cannot be corrected.
General information, not a diagnosis. Your dentist will examine your mouth before recommending treatment.
Why a denture that once fit now feels loose
Your denture fit well when it was new. Now it slips when you laugh, clicks when you talk, traps food underneath, or rubs a sore spot. You may be reaching for adhesive more often. The question is whether the denture can be refitted or whether it is time for a new one.
Most of the time the denture has not changed; your mouth has. After teeth are removed, the bone ridge that held them slowly shrinks and changes shape, and the gums follow. The ADA notes that as this happens the fit of a denture changes, and that a poorly fitting denture can cause sores or infections. MedlinePlus puts it simply: over time your mouth will change, and you may need to have your dentures adjusted or replaced.
The practice's denture relining page explains the bone change, called resorption, in more detail. This guide is about choosing among the fixes.
Adjustment, reline, rebase, or new denture: what each one does
Adjustment removes a little material from a spot that presses too hard. It is the usual fix for a sore spot, especially with a new denture, and is done in the chair.
Reline adds a new layer of material to the underside of the denture so it matches the current shape of your ridge. The teeth and the rest of the denture stay as they are. A soft reline uses a cushioned material and is often done chairside in one visit. A hard reline uses firm acrylic like the denture base, lasts longer, and is often processed at a dental laboratory, which can mean a short time without the denture.
Rebase replaces the entire pink base while keeping the existing denture teeth. It is considered when the base is worn, stained, or cracked but the teeth are still in good shape.
New denture starts over. It is the answer when the teeth are worn flat, the bite has changed, the base is badly damaged, or repeated relines no longer hold a fit.
Signs that point one way or the other
Only an exam can settle it, since your dentist checks both the denture and the tissue under it. These patterns are a reasonable guide to what to expect.
- Points toward a reline: slipping, rocking, clicking, food under the denture, more adhesive than before, and teeth that still look and bite normally.
- Points toward an adjustment: one sore or raw spot, especially in the first weeks with a new or newly relined denture.
- Points toward a rebase: teeth fine, but the pink base is worn, discolored, or cracked.
- Points toward a new denture: teeth worn down, a changed bite, a base that is broken beyond repair, or a reline that did not hold.
- Immediate dentures: if yours was placed the same day as extractions, expect a reline sooner, and sometimes a remake once healing is complete. See immediate vs. conventional dentures.
| What you notice | Likely fix | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Slipping, clicking, food underneath; teeth and base otherwise fine | Reline | The ridge changed; a new lining restores contact |
| One sore spot, often soon after a new denture or reline | Adjustment | A small area presses too hard |
| Base worn, stained, or cracked; teeth still good | Rebase | Replaces the pink base and keeps the teeth |
| Teeth worn flat, bite changed, or a reline that did not hold | New denture | Relining cannot fix worn teeth or a changed bite |
| Immediate denture, months after extractions | Reline, sometimes a remake later | Healing changes the ridge quickly at first |
| Cracked or broken denture | Professional repair; never glue it | Household glue can damage the denture and harm your mouth |
What not to do at home
Do not try to reline, adjust, or glue a denture yourself. The ADA advises against do-it-yourself adjustments or repairs and against over-the-counter glues, and MedlinePlus says to let your dentist handle adjustments. Household adhesives can damage the denture and are not meant for your mouth.
Denture adhesive has a place, but it is not a fix for a changed ridge. If you are using more and more of it, that is the sign to book a visit. Follow the product directions and look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Keep the denture clean and moist while you wait: rinse and brush it daily with a denture cleanser, brush your gums and tongue, and store it in water or soaking solution overnight. The practice's solutions for common denture problems page covers day-to-day care.
What happens at the visit
Your dentist examines the denture for wear and damage, checks your gums and ridge for pressure points, redness, and shape changes, then looks at how your bite comes together. That exam is what separates a reline from a replacement. Bring the denture you wear every day, and any older one you still have, so wear and fit can be compared.
A chairside soft reline is placed and shaped while you bite, usually in the same visit. A laboratory hard reline starts with an impression taken inside your existing denture, which then goes to the lab; the practice will discuss how to manage the days without it. A rebase or a new denture is a longer process with impressions and fittings.
If sore spots keep coming back after a good reline, or a ridge has changed enough that no denture stays stable, your dentist may discuss other options or a referral to a prosthodontist, a dentist with additional training in replacing missing teeth. Smaller problems such as a bent clasp or a chipped denture tooth are covered on the denture adjustments and repairs page.
Cost and insurance, in general terms
A reline keeps the denture you already have, so it is a smaller job than a new denture. The exact fee depends on soft or hard, chairside or laboratory, and the office will tell you before any work begins. Relines are routine upkeep for any denture, not a sign that something went wrong with yours.
The practice accepts all PPO plans, does not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal, and works with patients to identify a payment solution. See dental insurance and payment, and call to verify what your plan covers for relines and dentures.