DENTURE

Dentures

We custom-make dentures that let you chew more comfortably and look natural. If your current dentures have been uncomfortable, you are welcome to come in for a consultation.

Dr. Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist · specialist in integrated dentistry) · written and reviewed · last reviewed 2026-09-12

The short answer

If my denture is loose, do I need a new one?

Not necessarily. If it no longer fits because of changes in the gums or wear, a reline (resurfacing the inner side) can sometimes solve it. We first check with a detailed examination whether a reline will work or a new denture is needed, and then proceed.

A denture is not "done once it is made"; it is a prosthesis that is maintained to keep pace with changes in the jawbone. So before recommending a new denture, Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon first explains whether your current denture can be saved, which type would suit you if a new one is made (partial, complete or implant-supported), and how it will be cared for afterward.

How is a denture made?

A denture is not finished in one go after taking an impression; it is made by checking height and arrangement at each stage. It usually takes 4–6 visits over 2–4 weeks.

Diagnosis — first, can a reline work?. We check the remaining teeth, gums, jawbone condition and the height at which the upper and lower teeth meet. If you already wear a denture, we find out whether the looseness comes from changes in the jawbone, wear or fracture, or problems with the remaining teeth, and first judge whether a reline (Korean) can solve it. If extraction, alveoloplasty (Korean) or gum treatment is needed first, we do that first.
Choosing the type and explaining. If some teeth remain, a partial denture (Korean) is standard; if a jaw has no teeth at all, a complete denture (Korean); and if more stability is needed, an implant-supported denture (Korean) is considered. The material (resin base or metal base), clasp design, timeline and number of visits, how the cost is made up and whether health insurance applies are explained at this stage.
Precise impressions. An impression of the gums is taken. For a complete denture, the first impression is used to make a custom tray for a second, more precise impression, recording the borders as the lips, cheeks and tongue move to reduce movement. Records from the intraoral scanner (TRIOS 6) are used as an aid for the remaining teeth and prosthesis design.
Bite registration. We record the height and position at which the upper and lower teeth meet, the length of the lower face and lip support. If this height is wrong, chewing becomes uncomfortable and the jaw joint is strained, so this is the step we put the most care into when making dentures.
Try-in — checking in advance with a wax denture. You try in a temporary set with the artificial teeth arranged in wax, and we check tooth shape, color, speech, bite and lip shape. The denture is completed in its final material after corrections here, so this is the best stage to tell us about anything you do not like.
Fitting and adjustment. The finished denture is fitted, and pressure spots and high spots are smoothed. Two to three adjustments (Korean) in the first 1–2 weeks are usual; if you keep wearing it through a sore spot, the gum gets injured, so come in right away. Adjusting usually takes 2–4 weeks.
Regular checkups and care. Every 6 months to a year, we check the gums, remaining teeth and fit of the denture. The jawbone keeps shrinking little by little, so a reline becomes necessary every few years; if this is missed, a loose denture makes the gums sink faster (denture care (Korean)).

The director (a board-certified prosthodontist) personally handles everything from diagnosis to making, adjusting and later care. The exact timeline and number of visits depend on the type and on whether preliminary treatment is needed, and are explained at the consultation.

Partial, complete and implant-supported dentures: what is the difference?

Item	Partial denture	Complete denture	Implant-supported denture
For	When some teeth remain	When a jaw has no teeth at all	When a complete denture keeps moving and is uncomfortable
How it is held	Fixed by clasps (Korean) or precision attachments on the remaining teeth	Seals against the gums and palate (suction)	Snaps onto 2–4 implants
Stability	Relatively good, held by the remaining teeth	Upper jaw fair; lower jaw tends to feel loose	Clearly better than a conventional denture
Jawbone requirement	Can be made with little bone	Can be made with little bone	Needs bone to place the supporting implants
Process	2–3 weeks, 4–6 visits	3–4 weeks, 5–6 visits	Implant placement and osseointegration period added
Points to note	Force is placed on the clasped teeth	The lower jaw may take longer to adjust to	Surgery and additional cost

* A general comparison; an accurate diagnosis and costs are given individually at the consultation. — As of September 2026

Why does a denture that used to fit become loose?

The main reason is that the jawbone shrinks. Bone without teeth has no roots to receive chewing force, so it is gradually resorbed, especially in the lower jaw.[3] As the bone lowers, a gap forms between the inner surface of the denture and the gums, so the denture lifts, food gets trapped and certain spots are pressed and hurt. Other causes include lower biting height from worn artificial teeth, loosening of the clasped teeth in a partial denture, or warping or fracture of the denture itself.

When a reline solves it — When the artificial teeth and framework are fine but only the inner surface no longer fits the gums. New material is added to the inner side so it seals again. It usually takes a day or two.
When a new denture is needed — When the artificial teeth are so worn that the biting height has collapsed, there is fracture or warping, it quickly loosens again despite several relines, or the situation of the remaining teeth has changed a lot.
Denture adhesive (Korean) — It helps briefly, but if you keep needing it, that is a sign the denture does not fit. While getting by with adhesive, bone resorption can progress further.

Which applies is judged by looking at your mouth both with and without the denture in. Our principle is not to make a new denture when a reline will do, and not to make you get by with a reline when a new denture is needed.

How is the cost determined?

The cost of a denture is made up of the factors below.

Type and material — Varies with partial or complete denture, the base material (resin or metal) and the material of the artificial teeth.
Treatment of remaining teeth — Crowning the teeth that will hold the clasps, or extraction or gum treatment needed first, is charged separately.
Implant support — An implant-supported denture adds the cost of the implants (usually 2–4) and the attachments.
Health insurance coverage — If you meet the conditions below, treatment is covered by Korean national health insurance.

Health insurance conditions for dentures. If you are 65 or older, Korean national health insurance covers both complete and partial dentures, once every 7 years for the same jaw and type, with a 30% co-payment for insured persons (separate criteria apply to medical aid recipients).[1] Covered dentures are made with set materials and methods. Making a new one within 7 years is in principle not covered, but there is a one-time exception based on a medical opinion when the oral condition has changed significantly. Registration with the National Health Insurance Service is required before treatment begins. Detailed requirements may change, so please refer to denture insurance coverage conditions (Korean); we will check whether you qualify at the consultation.

Non-covered costs (materials outside coverage, precision attachments, implant support, etc.) vary individually with the type and treatment, so they are explained item by item at the consultation after diagnosis.

What you can know before the consultation

The base unit is one jaw, and complete, partial and implant-supported dentures are separate items.
For people aged 65 and over, Korean national health insurance covers both complete and partial dentures once every 7 years for the same jaw and type, with a 30% co-payment.
Covered dentures are made with set materials and methods. Choices outside coverage, such as a metal base, precision attachments or implant support, are non-covered items.
Non-covered fees are quoted at the same amount as the fee schedule posted in the clinic, and we do not run discounts or promotional prices.

What is decided after examination

Complete or partial denture — decided after examining whether the remaining teeth can be saved.
Base material (resin or metal) and clasp design — decided by looking at the position of the remaining teeth and the condition of the gums.
Whether implant support is needed, and if so how many implants — decided by looking at jawbone condition and the stability you need.
When it is finalized — after diagnosis, covered and non-covered items are explained separately at the consultation, and treatment starts after your consent.

Fees for each non-covered item and their reference date are published on our non-covered fee notice. The amounts and item names on that page are the official notice in Korean.Non-covered treatment fees →

When other treatment may suit better

· When the remaining natural teeth can be saved with root canal treatment or crowns — we do not extract them to switch to a denture. The stronger the teeth holding a partial denture’s clasps, the longer the denture lasts.
· When chewing force and stability are the priority and bone and general health allow — implants or full-arch implants may suit better.
· When your existing denture fits well again with just a reline (Korean) — we do not make a new one.
· When a lower complete denture keeps lifting no matter how it is adjusted — a denture supported by two implants is recommended as the first choice in an international expert consensus.[2]
· When it is hard to manage taking the denture out to wash it and leaving it out at night on your own — we first make a care plan together with a family member.

Nothing hidden

What to know to use dentures well for a long time — side effects and limitations

The jawbone keeps shrinking. Bone that has lost its teeth is gradually resorbed even with a denture. In a classic study that followed complete denture wearers for 25 years, the loss of bone height at the front of the lower jaw was about four times that of the upper jaw.[3] So "a denture that fit well becoming loose a few years later" is not because the denture was made wrong but a natural change, and regular relines are the way to slow bone resorption.

Denture stomatitis. Denture stomatitis (Korean), in which the gums under the denture become red and swollen, is common among denture wearers. Literature reviews report a prevalence ranging from 15% to over 70%,[4] and the main cause is an increase in fungus (Candida) when the denture is worn overnight or not cleaned enough. Most cases improve with cleaning habits, removing the denture at night and, if needed, antifungal treatment.

Wearing it while sleeping. In a study following older adults for 3 years, people who slept with their dentures in had about 2.3 times the risk of developing pneumonia.[5] This is because bacteria on the denture can enter the airway. We recommend taking it out when you sleep, cleaning it and storing it in water.

Clasped teeth in partial dentures. Teeth holding the clasps take extra force supporting the denture and trap food easily, so they are prone to decay, gum disease and loosening. Clean around the clasped teeth more carefully, and we check these teeth at regular checkups.

Limits of a lower complete denture. In the lower jaw, the space where the tongue and muscles move is narrow and the bone shrinks quickly, so complete dentures tend to lift. If adjustment does not solve it, a denture supported by two implants is an alternative, and the evidence that it gives better chewing ability and satisfaction than a conventional denture has been summarized in an international consensus.[2]

Adjustment and soreness. For the first few weeks, a foreign-body feeling, more saliva, changes in speech and pressure soreness are common. Most are solved with adjustment, but if you put up with it, ulcers form on the gums, so if there is a sore spot, get it adjusted right away.

How long a denture lasts depends on care. We tell you the above first not because dentures are a bad choice, but because knowing it is what lets you protect your gums and remaining teeth.

Why looseness, stomatitis and jawbone resorption occur, what we check before making a denture and what we look at after you start wearing it, is covered in the side effects section of our denture guide.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Q1 How long does it take to get used to dentures?

Making them usually takes 4–6 visits over about 2–3 weeks, and actually getting used to them after fitting usually takes 2–4 weeks. It varies from person to person, so we make them comfortable with early adjustments.

Q2 If my denture is loose, do I need a new one?

Not necessarily. If it no longer fits because of gum changes or wear, a reline (resurfacing the inner side) can sometimes solve it. We first check at an examination whether a new one is needed.

Q3 Can my existing denture be adjusted?

After checking its condition, we tell you whether a reline will solve it or a new one is needed. If fracture or warping is severe, we recommend a new one.

Q4 How do I care for it?

We recommend taking it out daily and cleaning it with a denture brush, and taking it out when you sleep and storing it in water. Regular checkups are also needed to check for changes in the gums.

Q5 Am I eligible for health insurance dentures?

For people aged 65 and over, Korean national health insurance covers complete and partial dentures once every 7 years for the same jaw and type, with a 30% co-payment for insured persons (separate criteria for medical aid recipients). Eligibility follows National Health Insurance Service criteria, and we check it at the consultation.

Q6 I stopped treatment partway at another clinic. Can you continue it?

Yes. We check the state of the previous treatment carefully and then continue. We assess your current condition with a detailed diagnosis and draw up a new plan for the remaining treatment.

Q7 Can I sleep with my denture in?

We recommend taking it out to sleep. The gums need time to rest, and studies show that sleeping with dentures in raises the risk of denture stomatitis and pneumonia. After cleaning, store it in water or a denture-cleaning solution.

Q8 Can I use denture adhesive?

It helps temporarily, but if you keep needing it, that is a sign the denture no longer fits your gums. Rather than getting by with adhesive, the right step is to check whether a reline or a new denture is needed.

Q9 I don’t like the clasps of a partial denture showing. Is there a way?

The clasps can be designed to sit where they are less visible, or a precision attachment, where the crown and denture interlock on the inside, can be considered. Whether this is possible depends on the condition of the remaining teeth, so we explain after diagnosis.

Q10 How many years does a denture last?

Because of material wear and jawbone changes, a reline is usually needed every few years, and if fracture or warping is severe or it still does not fit after several relines, a new one is considered. The 7-year cycle for health insurance coverage also reflects this period of use.

Q11 My denture hurts too much to wear. What should I do?

It means there is a pressure spot, so do not put up with it — get it adjusted. If you wear the denture for a few hours before coming in, the pressure marks help us find exactly where to adjust.

Treatment cases and further reading

References

National Health Insurance Service (Korea). Denture coverage guide for older adults (in Korean) — Aged 65+, once every 7 years for the same area and type, 30% co-payment.
Feine JS, et al. The McGill consensus statement on overdentures. Mandibular two-implant overdentures as first choice standard of care for edentulous patients. Int J Prosthodont. 2002;17(4):601-602. — Expert consensus that the first choice for an edentulous lower jaw is a two-implant overdenture rather than a conventional denture.
Tallgren A. The continuing reduction of the residual alveolar ridges in complete denture wearers: a mixed-longitudinal study covering 25 years. J Prosthet Dent. 1972;27(2):120-132. — 25-year follow-up of complete denture wearers; loss of bone height in the lower jaw about four times that of the upper jaw.
Gendreau L, Loewy ZG. Epidemiology and etiology of denture stomatitis. J Prosthodont. 2011;20(4):251-260. — Denture stomatitis prevalence 15% to over 70%; Candida, hygiene and overnight wear are the main causes.
Iinuma T, et al. Denture wearing during sleep doubles the risk of pneumonia in the very elderly. J Dent Res. 2015;94(3 Suppl):28S-36S. — 3-year follow-up of a cohort aged 85+; about 2.3 times the risk of pneumonia with overnight denture wear.

RESERVATION

Book a diagnostic consultation

Bring the denture you wear now, and we will first check whether a reline will work. Feel free to contact us through Naver Booking or by phone.

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

This page was written and reviewed by Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry) of Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon, based on standard dental knowledge and the literature above. The director personally handles everything from diagnosis to making, adjusting and regular care. It is intended as general information; individual treatment plans and costs are given after a detailed diagnosis and consultation.

Last updated: 2026-09-13