How Long Do Dentures Last?
The short answer.
A complete denture lasts about 10 years on average, most at least five. A 2024 Australian study found half of metal partials in use after about six years, and acrylic ones after nearly four. Good care and relines as your jaw changes extend that.
A mouth full of decayed teeth can make you self-conscious and reluctant to smile or speak on social or work occasions. Artificial teeth can help restore function and support your oral health. However, prosthetics will wear out over time. Understanding how long do dentures last and how to care for them can help you get the most out of your tooth restoration.
About Ten Years, on Average
A complete set of dentures lasts about 10 years on average, and most last at least five, according to a review of 27 studies (another site) (Taylor, Masood and Mnatzaganian, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2020). For partials, a 2024 Australian study found half of metal ones were still in use after about six years, and acrylic ones after nearly four, and regular maintenance visits helped them last longer. Over their lifespan, they may need periodic adjustments to compensate for changes in your facial structure due to bone resorption and shifting teeth.
Signs It’s Time for a Denture Replacement
Even with regular relining and checkups, you will eventually need to have your dentures replaced. There are signs that you should speak with your dentist about a new set.
Loose-fitting dentures are the most common sign that it is time for a replacement. It is because, over the years, your gums and bone structure change. Eventually, this leads to the plate becoming loose during wear. As a result, it can make it difficult to speak or eat.
Your prosthetic can also become too tight to fit in your mouth. If you don’t wear them regularly, the gums won’t conform to the denture, making it painful to have them in for long periods.
Ill-fitting prosthetics can lead to discomfort in other places besides your mouth. For example, your misfitting plates could cause headaches, neck and back pain. If there is no explanation for these issues, it might be time to see the dentist for an adjustment.
Other signs it’s time for a replacement include broken teeth or a broken base on the denture. Stained dentures are also usually at the end of their lifespan. There may be tiny cracks on the surface with stained or dirty false teeth that trap bacteria inside (another site), leading to a gum infection if left too long.
Does a Loose Fit Mean Replacement?
While a loose fit is a sign that it’s time for new dentures, that is not always the case. Sometimes you just need a minor adjustment to help make them fit better.
When you get the plates, let your dentist know if they feel loose. Then, they can reline them for a better fit. In-office labs, like our on-site lab, make it easy for the dentist to handle quick corrections.
Once your gums heal, you can also use adhesive paste or strips (another site) to help the dentures fit better. You should still see your dentist regularly so they can make adjustments or replacements as necessary.
Caring for Your Dentures
To ensure that your dentures last, you need to care for and maintain them properly. Oral health care is just as crucial for false teeth as it is for natural ones. If you don’t routinely visit the dentist to have your prosthetics checked, your dentist cannot identify whether your dentures need an adjustment or replacement.
Additionally, if you fall into the habit of not brushing your false teeth every day, they can begin to wear out. Just like your natural teeth, they require daily care for hygienic purposes. Only use a non-abrasive toothpaste to keep from causing microfractures to the teeth. You should also gently brush your gums underneath your denture plate to remove plaque and bacteria that could cause gum disease and affect (another site) your oral health.
Always rinse your dentures immediately after eating before placing them back in your mouth. Use a specially formulated denture-soaking solution to clean your dentures overnight. Never allow them to dry out completely; they need to be moist at all times to maintain their shape and avoid cracking.
Alternatives to Dentures
If you don’t want false teeth and prefer not to worry about how long do dentures last, there is an alternative. Instead of having any remaining teeth removed and a plate put in, you can opt to have dental implants.
Implants are fixed in place, as they are surgically installed. The dentist inserts a titanium screw into your jawbone, which becomes an anchor for the artificial tooth. Because they are attached to your jawbone, dental implants function like a natural tooth and provide the same strength. They also look like natural teeth.
A 2019 review of studies that followed dental implants for ten years found about 96 in 100 were still in place (another site) (Howe, Keys and Richards, Journal of Dentistry, 2019). The process of having them installed is lengthy, though. This is because you must give your jaw and gums time to heal after installing the post before the dentist will attach the replacement tooth. Healing can take three to six months.
Tooth Loss? Dental Spot Can Help
Knowing how long do dentures last can allow you to judge when an adjustment needs to be made or when it’s time for a replacement. In addition, proper oral health care is essential to keeping your mouth and gums healthy, including attending your regular check-ups.
Sources
- Longevity of acrylic and cobalt-chromium removable partial dentures: a ten-year retrospective survival analysis of 1246 denture-wearing patients (another site), Journal of Dentistry, 2024
- Longevity of complete dentures: a systematic review and meta-analysis (another site), Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2020
This guide is general information, not advice about your own teeth. Your dentist can tell you what applies to you, including the risks of any treatment.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
