My denture is loose or uncomfortable

When your denture is loose or uncomfortable, what are the common causes?

1. 01

   Bone resorption

   Bone without teeth shrinks a little every year. This is the most common reason a denture stops fitting, within 1–2 years of first being made and gradually thereafter.

2. 02

   Wear of the artificial teeth

   After several years of use, the artificial teeth wear down, lowering the biting height, giving a feeling that the jaw is moving forward, and making the denture unstable.

3. 03

   Deformed clasps Glossary (Korean) →

   When the metal clasps of a partial denture open up, or the teeth they hook onto become loose, the denture holds less well.

4. 04

   Broken or warped denture

   A denture that has been dropped, or warped by disinfecting it in hot water, does not fit.

5. 05

   Problems with the remaining teeth

   When the teeth supporting a partial denture weaken from cavities or gum disease, the whole denture becomes unstable.

6. 06

   Dry mouth · denture stomatitis Glossary (Korean) →

   With little saliva, the denture adheres less well; if the gum under the denture is inflamed, it swells and hurts, making the denture feel loose.

How does Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon check it?

1. 1

   We check the gap between the inside of the denture and the gums, how worn the artificial teeth are, and the condition of the clasps and supporting teeth.

2. 2

   X-rays show the amount of remaining bone and the condition of the roots and bone around the supporting teeth.

3. 3

   We compare, in light of your bone condition and budget, whether a reline will solve it, whether a new denture is needed, or whether an implant-supported denture held in place by 2–4 implants would be better, and explain this to you.

4. 4

   If the biting height and arrangement of the artificial teeth in the existing denture are the problem, this becomes the design reference for the new denture.

How our equipment works is explained on the equipment page.

Which treatment does it lead to?

• Denture reline · remaking → A reline if the denture itself is in good condition; a new denture if wear or deformation of the artificial teeth is significant.
• Implant-supported dentures · full-arch → When retention is fundamentally difficult, as with a lower complete denture, we consider securing it with implants.
• Gum treatment → When the gums of the teeth supporting a partial denture need to be treated first.

What can I do at home before my appointment?

• Getting by for a long time with adhesive on a loose denture can cause gum inflammation and faster bone resorption. Use it only as a temporary measure.
• Take the denture out at night and keep it in water or denture cleanser to let the gums rest. Disinfecting it in boiling water causes warping.
• Also brush the gums under the denture and your remaining teeth with a soft toothbrush.
• Do not grind down the denture yourself or repair it with glue. The bite can shift, and a new denture may become necessary.

Frequently asked questions

1. Q1. What is a reline? How is it different from making a new denture?

   It is a procedure that adds material to the inner side of the denture (the surface touching the gums) to fit it again to the shrunken gums. It is suitable when the denture base and artificial teeth are in good condition and is usually finished in 1–2 visits. If the artificial teeth are worn or the bite has broken down, a new denture is the right choice.

2. Q2. How does Korean national health insurance cover dentures?

   For those aged 65 and over, both complete and partial dentures can be made once every 7 years with a 30% patient co-payment, and relines and repairs also have covered items. We check whether you qualify at the consultation.

3. Q3. My lower denture is especially loose. Is there anything that can be done?

   In the lower jaw, a complete denture does not stay in place well to begin with because of the tongue and muscles. An implant-supported denture held in place by 2 implants is an internationally recommended method for such cases, and we check whether it is possible depending on your bone condition.

※ This page is for general information and does not replace a diagnosis. Causes and treatment differ from person to person, and treatment can have side effects. Last reviewed 2026-09-11 · Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry)

Related treatments

• Treatment Denture reline · remaking
• Treatment Implant-supported dentures · full-arch
• Treatment Gum treatment
• Guide Symptom checker

Other symptoms

RESERVATION

Start by finding the cause

The same symptom can have different causes. After diagnosis, we explain only the treatment that is needed. Contact us through Naver Booking or by phone.

33 m from Exit 1, Bongcheon Station (Line 2) · Directions from Bongcheon Station →