Replacing missing teeth

Denture relines, repairs and adjustments: treatment options and what affects the cost

Dentures need upkeep. Relines refit the base to your changing gums, adjustments fix sore spots, and repairs fix cracks or broken teeth. Each is a separate, usually smaller fee.

Request a Price Estimate Ask an office about this treatment

No public price is listed for this treatment. Fees depend on your exam, and offices confirm whether they provide it.

What the treatment is

Gums and bone shrink gradually after teeth are lost, so a denture that fit well can become loose. A reline adds new material to the inside of the denture so it fits your gums again.

Repairs fix a cracked base or replace a broken or missing tooth. Adjustments remove pressure spots that cause soreness.

Why it may be recommended

The denture feels loose or you need more adhesive than before.
Sore spots, or food getting under the denture.
A crack, a broken tooth or a clasp that has snapped.
A few months after an immediate denture, as the gums heal.

Treatment types and variations

Tap a type to see when it is used and what to weigh. Your dentist recommends options after examining you.

Relines

Chairside (direct) relineDone in the office in one visit with material that sets in the mouth.

Things to weigh: Faster, but the material may not last as long as a lab reline.
Codes to ask about: D5730, D5731, D5740, D5741

Lab (indirect) relineAn impression is taken inside your denture and a lab processes new base material.

Things to weigh: Usually more durable; you may be without the denture for a day or so.
Codes to ask about: D5750, D5751, D5760, D5761

Tissue conditioningA soft temporary liner that lets irritated or healing gums recover.

Codes to ask about: D5850, D5851

Repairs and adjustments

AdjustmentSmall changes to relieve sore spots or improve the bite.

Codes to ask about: D5410, D5411

Base repairFixing a cracked or broken denture base.

Codes to ask about: D5511, D5512

Replacing a broken or missing toothPriced per tooth.

Codes to ask about: D5520

RebaseReplacing the entire pink base while keeping the teeth; used when the base is worn but the teeth are fine.

Materials and techniques

Hard reline acrylic: Standard for long-term relines.
Soft liners: Cushion sensitive gums but need replacing more often.

Benefits, limitations and possible risks

Benefits

Improves fit and comfort at much lower cost than a new denture.
Can extend the life of a denture that is otherwise in good shape.

Limitations

Cannot fix worn-down teeth or a wrong bite.
Very old dentures may be better replaced.
Flexible partials are difficult to reline or repair.

Possible risks

Temporary soreness as you get used to the new fit.
Repairs on old or heavily worn dentures may break again.

What happens during treatment

1
Evaluation
The dentist checks your gums, bite and the denture.
2
Reline, repair or adjust
Done chairside or sent to a lab depending on the work.
3
Fit check
The bite and comfort are checked before you leave.

Recovery and maintenance

Return for an adjustment if a new sore spot appears.
Keep cleaning the denture daily and remove it at night unless told otherwise.

What affects the cost

Chairside or lab: Lab relines cost more but usually last longer.
Complete or partial: Partials and complete dentures have different fees.
Extent of repair: Each replaced tooth or broken section adds cost.
Turnaround: Same-day lab service can cost more.

Common additional charges

These are billed separately at many offices. Not every patient needs them.

Exam	If you are a new patient or it has been a while.
Tissue conditioning first	When gums are irritated.

Procedure fee or total case cost?

These are usually single fees per denture. If your denture needs a reline and repairs, or both arches, the fees add up; ask whether a new denture would be a better value.

Paying with insurance or without insurance

Many plans cover relines and repairs as basic or major services, often with frequency limits. Without insurance, ask for the fee before work begins and whether adjustments in the first months are included with a new denture.

Alternative treatments

Alternatives depend on your teeth and health. Ask your dentist to explain the trade-offs of each option, including doing nothing.

New denture: When the teeth are worn or the bite has changed.
Implant-retained overdenture: If looseness is a long-term problem, implants can stabilize the denture.

Codes to ask your insurer about

Insurers price treatment by ADA CDT procedure code. The office confirms the exact code for your treatment; labels here are plain-English summaries.

D5730	Reline complete upper denture, chairside
D5731	Reline complete lower denture, chairside
D5750	Reline complete upper denture, lab
D5751	Reline complete lower denture, lab
D5740	Reline upper partial denture, chairside
D5760	Reline upper partial denture, lab
D5850	Tissue conditioning, upper
D5410	Adjust complete denture, upper
D5411	Adjust complete denture, lower
D5511	Repair broken complete denture base, lower
D5512	Repair broken complete denture base, upper
D5520	Replace missing or broken teeth, complete denture, per tooth

Questions to ask your dentist

Chairside or lab reline, and how long will I be without my denture?
Is repair worth it, or should I consider a new denture?
Are follow-up adjustments included?

Frequently asked questions

How often do dentures need a reline?

It varies. Many dentists check the fit at regular visits and reline when it has loosened; immediate dentures usually need one within months.

Can I fix my denture with a home kit?

Home reline and repair kits can change the bite and irritate the gums. A dental office can repair it properly, often within a day.