Twenty edentulous patients had unsatisfacory dentures replaced in a student clinic, using conventional techniques, under consultant supervision. Three visual analogue scale records of self-assessed mandibular denture security were made while the dentures were fabricated, and two were made following placement of the new dentures to measure any changes occurring. The method appeared reliable, and significant improvements in security were recorded. The percent increase in security and the coefficient of variation of the preplacement visual analogue scale scores were each inversely proportional to the preplacement visual analogue scale scores. This relationship may be useful in the identification of patients with special problems.