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Chatham Denture Clinic

Denturists are health care professionals you can trust. There’s a very good reason why so many denture wearers trust and recommend their Denture Clinic, they appreciate the personal and expert attention that a Denturist provides. From initial consultation to laboratory and clinical creation of a denture, Denturists work directly with their patients at every stage of the denture process, creating comfortable smiles and building relationships that patients trust. A regulated health profession since 1974, Denturist services are recognized by leading insurance companies, and Denturists and their Denture Clinics are fully accountable for the dentures they create.

Denturists: the best of both worlds

Unlike other oral health care practitioners, Denturists are trained in all aspects of denture clinic fitting and fabrication, from taking impressions to personally creating dentures in their denture clinics. In this way, patients can enjoy personalized and cost-effective service. Denturists provide a professional relationship that starts with a hand shake and culminates in a beautiful smile.

Do I need a Denture Clinic?

If you have missing, broken or loose teeth, or existing dentures that are over five years old, take a few minutes to sit down with a Denturist for a consultation. Many options are available, and your Denturist will find the solution that’s right for you. As denture specialists, Denturists are professionals in replicating your natural teeth and can be consulted without a referral. Annual checkups with your Denturist are recommended to ensure optimal oral health.

Services Provided by Denturists within theirDenturist clinics

Oral examinations and consultation
Full dentures, immediate dentures (a denture made prior to tooth extraction and placed immediately after teeth are pulled), partial dentures (to replace one or more, but not all your teeth)
Implant-retained and supported dentures
Repair of broken dentures
Relining and rebasing of loose dentures
Cleaning and polishing of dentures
Placement of name in dentures
Soft liners

Some Denture Clinics offer additional services, including mouth guards, Tooth whitening and anti-snoring devices.

The College of Denturists of Ontario (CDO) is a member of the Federation of Regulated Health Colleges of Ontario and is there gulatory body that certifies (licenses) and governs Denturists within the province of Ontario. The mandate of the CDO is to serve the public interest by maintaining the highest standards of qualification and ethics for its members in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Denturism Act. Denturists must be licensed with the College of Denturists of Ontario in order to practice in Ontario and their Certificate of Registration (license) must be prominently displayed in their office.

Oracle Poll results indicate “there was a high level of satisfaction among denture wearers with their Denturist (80%) and an equally high level (80%) claimed that they would recommend their Denture Clinic.”

Your Denturist asks important questions, listens to your concerns and answers your questions. Your Denturist will also develop a personalized treatment plan to allow you to select the best denture solution for you. A regular checkup with your Denturist is the most effective way for you and your dentures to get the care and attention you deserve.

A profession with a very healthy future for those considering a career in health care, Denturism offers daily challenges, hands-on work, and a chance to be self-employed in a field with great prospects. As uniquely skilled professionals, Denturists are trained in all aspects of denture fitting and fabrication, from taking impressions to personally creating dentures in their own onsite Denture Clinic. Denturists work directly with patients at every stage of the treatment process – to create a beautiful smile.

As a career choice, Denturism offers everything a young professional could hope for: independence, variety, prosperity and the chance to bring a smile to thousands of faces. Most Denturists run their on businesses, set their own hours and work independently. Denturists are proud to be self-employed and responsible for their business and clinical environment. Denturism is a career with excellent long-term prospects. As Ontario’s population ages, demand for health care services in general and Denturist services in particular will continue to grow. In fact there is already more demand for Denturist services, than there are graduates. As a specialized oral health care professional, Denturists can earn incomes that are well above the national average.

A Denturist is directly involved in all aspects of the technical procedures that go into creating dentures and related devices. Skilled, hands-on work is a big part of the job; understanding patients’ needs and communicating with patients is the first step in the process. No two days will be alike for a Denturist. Because they work alternately in the clinic with their patients (at consultations and fittings), and in the laboratory, Denturists enjoy mixed schedules – and the pride of seeing the results of their expertise.

Having some or all of your teeth removed doesn’t mean that your smile and self-confidence have to disappear, too. Your Denturist can replace your teeth with an immediate denture. It’s a solution that can give you a more natural look from day one.

Immediate dentures: replacement of your natural teeth

Immediate dentures are based on an impression taken by your Denturist prior to removing your teeth. As the name suggests, they are put in place immediately after your teeth have been removed, so that you don’t go a day without teeth. Immediate dentures serve several important functions. Firstly, they help protect sensitive tissues where teeth have been removed. This allows healing to progress while helping to keep the area free of anything that might cause irritation. Secondly, an immediate denture restores a natural look and can help you feel more comfortable with your family or at work. Lastly, an immediate denture can help you make the transition from eating softer foods to a wider variety of meals during the healing process.

What to expect from immediate dentures

The initial healing period that follows having your teeth extracted is usually six to eight weeks for a healthy adult. Your gums and other tissues will shrink and change during this time, so visits to your Denturist will be required to help ensure the best fit of your immediate denture. Your Denturist may place a temporary “soft liner” on the fitting surface of your denture. A soft liner makes chewing more comfortable, helping to minimize sore spots and improve fit. Depending on the number of teeth being extracted, there can be changes in the fit, bite and position of your denture as your mouth heals. The good news is that your Denturist will support and work with you to optimize the fit and comfort of your immediate dentures, making adjustments when necessary. Your Denturist will consult with you on future options, such as permanent relining.

Is it Time to visit a Denturist? When properly fitted and cared for, dentures enhance your appearance and can be worn with confidence, as you enjoy your favorite activities. It is important to remember, that even with proper cleaning and care, the average lifespan of dentures is about five to seven years. The following quiz is designed to help you determine whether you currently need the services of a Denturist. If you answer “Yes” to any one of these statements, see your Denturist, your Denture Specialist.

My dentures move when I eat or speak
My dentures cause recurring sore spots
My dentures are over five years old
My denture teeth are worn down and flattened from wear
I have to be careful of what I eat, because I have difficulty chewing
I have persistent splitting at the corners of my mouth
My lower jaw is sticking out further than it used to
After a meal, I notice ringing in my ears and/or have discomfort in my jaw joint
My dentures keep breaking
My teeth no longer show when I smile
My lips are not as full as they used to be, making me look older

Your Denture Clinic can offer information and solutions to these problems.

Full Dentures are a significant number of people are missing all of their natural teeth. If you’re a member of this group and have decided to seek denture treatment, you should know that you can consult your Denturist, the Denture Specialist, directly and without a referral.

Natural Dentures

Full denture treatment can go a long way to restoring a natural look, as well as your ability to chew properly. Well-made and accurately fitted dentures boost the wearer’s self-confidence. Current techniques can produce truly natural looking dentures. As full dentures depend on the health and size of the gums that support them, it’s important to have your mouth assessed from time to time to ensure that your dentures still work properly. For those with very sensitive gums, often, when a substantial amount of gum has receded, there are techniques and options that can enhance comfort and help to maximize the remaining gum. Improve your denture-wearing experience-you deserve it.

It is important to realize that every denture-wearing experience is unique. Your Denturist will clearly explain the conditions that exist in your mouth and outline the best technique or approach for maximizing the experience by taking those unique characteristics into account. Remember, you may consult your Denturist directly and without referral. If you are about to lose teeth or your existing set of dentures is five or more years old.

What to keep in mind when choosing full dentures from your Denture Clinic

Full denture treatment can go a long way to restoring a natural look, as well as your ability to chew properly
Well-made, accurately fitted dentures boost the wearer’s self-confidence
Full dentures depend on the health and size of the gums that support them, so it’s important to have your mouth assessed periodically to ensure that your dentures still work properly
When a substantial amount of gum has receded, there are techniques and options that can enhance comfort and help to maximize the remaining gum

Did you know?

You don’t need a referral to visit a Denturist. Denturists must be licensed with the College of Denturists of Ontario in order to practice in Ontario and their Certificate of Registration (license) must be prominently displayed in their office.

A significant number of people are missing some of their natural teeth. If you belong to this group and have decided to seek denture treatment, you should know that you can consult your Denturist directly, without a referral. Partial denture treatment is an effective and economical way of restoring proper chewing and a pleasing smile. Partial dentures can be fitted as teeth are lost or removed and can help to preserve the position and function of the remaining natural teeth.

When teeth are lost a space is created which the teeth on either side tend to tip into and fill. The bite then alters when teeth move from their proper position and, if left unchecked, this can lead to further tooth loss. By filling the spaces with partial dentures, remaining teeth are prevented from moving. The dentures provide a surface to bite on, restoring the ability to chew properly. Your smile is restored by replacing missing teeth, which are colour matched to enhance your natural appearance.

There are different types of partial dentures, made with a variety of fasteners. Partial dentures restore missing teeth by using some natural teeth for hold and support. Combined tooth and gum support provide effective function so that a complete bite is restored, even when many teeth are missing. A partial is regarded as an acceptable standard by leading insurers.

What to keep in mind when choosing partial dentures from your Denture Clinic

A significant number of people are missing some of their natural teeth
Partial denture treatment is an effective and economical way of restoring proper chewing and a pleasing smile
Lost teeth leave a space which the teeth on either side tend to tip into and fill. Left unchecked, this may lead to further tooth loss
Filling spaces with partial dentures prevents the remaining teeth from moving. A partial denture also restores the ability to chew properly and restores your smile
Partial dentures restore missing teeth by using some natural teeth for hold and support

Did you know?

Winning the Lower Denture Challenge is simply adjusting to new lower dentures, specifically complete lower dentures can be a challenge for some patients. Your Denturist, the Denture Specialist, will help to ensure optimal fit of your new lower denture and will discuss with you how lower dentures enhance your ability to chew, your digestion, and function with your upper dentures. Unlike an upper denture, a lower denture is seldom held in place by suction. A lower denture rests on the horseshoe-shaped ridge at the bottom of the mouth, allowing the tongue to occupy the centre and inside space, whereas an upper denture covers the entire palate.

Perseverance is key, if you have never worn a lower denture, it may initially feel that your tongue has less space to move in. Your tongue may have to adapt to sharing this space, which may take several weeks of perseverance. The smaller the size of your gums means the greater the challenge of wearing lower dentures. Since this can limit the base on which to build them. In such cases, it is especially important to design a denture that will maximize the use of the remaining ridge, in order to stabilize the denture as much as possible. Thinner skin and irregular bone structure, together with lack of suction, can lead to initial sore spots in your mouth. Your Denturist will work with you to adjust your dentures to achieve maximum comfort.

Your Denturist clinic will also discuss ways of securing lower dentures, including implants, as an alternate solution. More information on implants will be available in future public service articles. Millions of people are successfully wearing lower dentures. By working closely with your Denturist, the Denture Specialist, and by persevering, you will, too.

Over time, tissues in the mouth go through changes. As a denture wearer, part of the regular maintenance of your dentures is the occasional procedure of relining. You can consult your Denturist, your Denture Specialist, directly, without referral for this treatment. A reline restores proper fit by filling in areas under the denture where supporting gums have receded. The reline material is generally identical or closely matched to the pink gum material of the existing denture. It bonds to the fitted side of the denture and shapes itself to whatever curves the supporting tissue presents. Relining is an economical way to maintain the proper function and fit of your denture and keeps the supporting tissues from experiencing the stress that a loose or ill-fitting denture can cause. Relines are often done following the removal of natural teeth, once the replacement denture has been worn for several months and healing has occurred normally.

Other than this abrupt change in the shape of the gums, relines are recommended for your denture approximately once every three years, and more often if there are abrupt changes in the shape of the gums. There are several different types of relines available. Some require lab procedures, while others may be completed directly in the Denturists chair. There are special relines made from soft materials for those with very sensitive or reduced gums. Your Denturist clinic can recommend the most appropriate reline for your situation. Relining can extend the life of your denture by keeping the fitted side well adapted to the supporting tissue as it changes over time. Stabilizing a loose denture improves speech as well as allows more effective chewing. Never underestimate the intangible benefits of these positive changes: a sense of well being and greater self-confidence.

The fundamentals of a great denture are fit, form and function, each element working harmoniously to achieve the look, feel and functionality you require from your dentures. Denture clinics work with you to ensure that your new dentures feel good, look good and perform well, while you are living life to the fullest.

Denture Fit

Do your dentures fit?
Do your dentures feel loose?
Do your gums hurt?
Your Denture clinic will help you find the solution for the best fit possible: relines, precision dentures or implant-retained dentures may be the answer for you

Denture Form

How do your dentures look?
Do they reflect the natural, attractive smile you want?
Do you like the way your teeth look?
Let your Denturist works with you to find the right look and feel. Professional cleaning, repairs or new precision or implant-retained dentures can give you the appearance you’ve been looking for
See your Denturist, the Denture Specialist

Denture Function

How well do your dentures work?
Do you have difficulty chewing?
Do you avoid certain foods?
Does it hurt to chew?

Your Denturist clinic are your Denture Specialist and will recommend a solution that best meets your needs. A minor adjustment could make a world of difference in how your denture performs. Or you may wish to consider a new precision denture or perhaps an implant-retained denture for maximum functionality.

The Option of Choice for Denture Stability

If you currently wear dentures and are experiencing pain, discomfort or difficulties chewing, then dental implants may be a solution for improving your quality of life. Today’s high success rate for dental implants and their affordability have made this procedure an extremely popular choice for denture stability and replacement of missing teeth. Implants are now considered a more successful procedure than root canals, fillings and crowns and bridges.

Implant procedures often involve an oral health team approach. Your Denturist clinic should be consulted for careful evaluation and decisions regarding the denture appliance to be anchored to the implants. Once a treatment plan has been established with your Denturist, a referral to an oral surgeon will determine your candidacy for implants, based on your dental and medical health history. The implants are then placed and they will anchor into the bone. Once the bone has completely healed around the implants, a finished denture is made with matching attachments that will secure to the actual implants.

Implant placement is a surgical procedure which is typically completed in a few hours. During the healing phase, patients may wear their old denture, refitted with temporary soft liners. The number of implants to be placed is determined by you, your Denturist and the oral surgeon. In a recent study published by McGill University’s dental department, it was concluded that the minimum standard of care for denture patients should include at least two implants on a lower denture to allow for adequate function. This trend is becoming more popular as both professionals and the public have become aware of the benefits of dental implants. To determine the best options available, contact your Chatham Denture Clinic for a consultation

What to keep in mind about dental implants from your denture clinic

If you currently wear dentures and are experiencing pain, discomfort or difficulties chewing, then dental implants may be a solution for improving your quality of life
Implants are now considered a more successful procedure than root canals, fillings and crowns and bridges
Your Denture clinic should be consulted for careful evaluation and decisions on the appliance to be anchored to the implants
A recent study published by McGill University’s dental department concluded that the minimum standard of care for denture patients should include at least two implants on a lower denture to allow for adequate function

All content within this article have been taken from www.denturists-cdo.com