No. You do not need a referral to see a Denturist.
You can phone any Denturist of your choosing for a professional consultation. Find A Denturist
During your initial consultation with the Denturist, you will receive an explanation of what you can reasonably expect, in terms of function, appearance, and cost. The Denturist will ask some medical and general health-related questions, like whether you are in good health, if you are under the care of a physician, or if you have any reactions to certain drugs and materials (e.g. latex allergies). This personal information is held in the strictest confidence.
Your dentures, personally created for you by your Denturist, will provide you with a natural looking smile. If years of aging and pronounced facial lines are starting to affect how you feel about yourself, take action and see your Denturist first! With a set of professionally fitted dentures, you will see a positive difference in your appearance. Facial lines may be softened or reduced, and you may look years younger!
When making a set of dentures, the Denturist always keeps certain objectives in mind. They are:
Your Denturist will evaluate your facial characteristics - the shape of your face, the colour of your eyes, your hair and complexion - when selecting the teeth to use. These factors also affect the colour and construction of the base material that will hold the teeth comfortably in your mouth. In the case of partial dentures, the material may be either moulded plastic or a thin, high-quality casting of chrome-cobalt alloy. Complete dentures will normally be set into an acrylic denture base of a colour and texture closely resembling your natural mouth tissue. No two sets of dentures are alike, and your Denturist will skillfully blend all of these components into a perfect, natural look for you.
Yes, remember that dentures are an artificial substitute for your natural teeth. As such, they can feel foreign at first until your oral cavity has adjusted to them. Some patients feel quite comfortable within a week, while others require a little longer. Be patient, and keep wearing your dentures. Some adjustments may be required, however it will not take long for the dentures to feel as if you have worn them forever. While you may feel pressure within your oral cavity while you are getting used to your new dentures, this is normal. However, if you experience any pain, you should contact your Denturist immediately.
While you shouldn’t expect to be able to eat steak as soon as you leave the Denturist’s office, you will likely have to learn to chew again, as your oral cavity will have changed. Your Denturist will explain what you can expect in the coming days and how best to help yourself get used to your new dentures.
Yes, you may notice some minor differences in your speech. Lisping is not unusual. Don’t worry, your speech will return with practice. Reading aloud is an excellent exercise to speed up your progress!
Yes. You should see your Denturist first, for a consultation on placement and esthetics. Your Denturist will then refer you to an oral surgeon, and they will work in tandem to ensure a perfect fit.
Your Denturist recognizes the importance of ensuring you have proper fit and support in your mouth, and will not prolong your case. The length of time it takes to get your completed denture varies and is dependent on the condition of your mouth and gums.
Each case is treated individually, and your Denturist will advise you what to do based on your own circumstances. Your Denturist will also explain any special precautions to take when your dentures are out of your mouth.
In most cases and to ensure optimum wear, your dentures optimal performance is between 5 to 10 years. Natural teeth wear down and stain over the years, and dentures will, too. Tissue in your mouth changes over time. Your dentures may require adjusting or rebasing periodically, so it is wise to see your Denturist at least once a year to ensure your dentures continue to fit well, and whether any adjustments need to be made
Generally, it is recommended that you have a check-up once a year. Denturists are trained to observe and detect any abnormalities or conditions in your mouth. They can refer you to an appropriate specialist, if required.
Ideally, your dentures should be cleaned after every meal. They should be cleaned over a basin of water or damp towel to avoid breakage in case they are dropped. Use a denture brush and a good denture cleaner. Avoid gritty pastes or powders, as their repeated use will damage the denture. Use only lukewarm water. Do not grasp both ends of a lower denture when washing, as too much pressure could break it.
The cost of dentures is dependent on your treatment (full set, upper or lower only, partials, implants, etc.). Your Denturist will go over all costs associated with the work required during your initial visit.
You will be asked to provide any insurance coverage you may have, including any public dental plans you qualify for. Please see a list of the public plans on the “About Denturism” page under “Billing and Insurance”.