Ever thought of getting a tooth replacement but were unsure whether to see a dentist or a denturist? Perhaps, any one of them can get the job done, right? Well, that isn’t the case. Dentists and denturists are professionals of different training and specialization. While the former focuses on providing oral healthcare, the latter specializes in developing detachable prosthetic teeth to fit a patient’s dental structure. Just like fingerprints, no two individuals have the same set of teeth.
Why see a denturist? The need for dentures may surface when a person has missing, broken, or chipped multiple teeth and find it challenging to regain confidence, speak, or eat. Denture restoration is a detailed process, and finding a reliable denturist would be ideal. The following are some facts on dentures and denturists, and how they play a key role in dental tooth replacement and restoration.
What Makes Dentures an Ideal Choice?
The thought of rocking dentures in public might send shivers down anyone’s spine, but don’t hit the panic button. Present-day dental prosthetics are as natural as real teeth. Plus, they are ideal for patients in any age group, ranging from kids to the elderly. Anyone with a set of broken, missing, or damaged teeth can get this dental solution to restore a charming smile and confidence.
Besides, looking real, dentures function like natural teeth, aiding speech, dieting, and other activities that relate to the mouth. They come in two types: partial and full dentures. Each of them has its application, which, among other things, depends on a patient’s budget and the number of missing teeth. Most dentures are affordable and highly effective.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture comes in handy when replacing a section of missing teeth, says this experienced dentist in Stockton. It is supported by crowns applied to the surrounding teeth as well as a metal framework attached to the existing teeth.
Full Dentures
Unlike partial dentures that replace a section of the damaged or missing teeth, full dentures replace all of the teeth in either the lower or upper jaw, depending on the affected location. First, the denturist removes what’s left of the row and then installs a full denture in its place. Of course, you need someone that is very experienced with dentures like aria dentistry to perform this procedure.
Understanding Denturist’s Role
As earlier discussed, a denturist fabricates dentures. Some dentists also create dentures, but then, most of them refer patients to denturists, who are more suited for the job. The process starts with the specialist taking impressions of the patient’s gums and teeth (if remaining) to develop a denture that is unique to the individual. After fabrication, there is a need to ensure that the prosthetic is the right fit.
Upsides and Downsides of Visiting a Denturist
Dental patients who are on a budget will find the services of a denturist helpful. Most of these specialists have an on-site laboratory where they can easily create a denture. However, patients who have oral issues, such as gingivitis and periodontitis may want to consult a dentist instead, as denturists solely provide denture-related services.
What it Takes to Become a Denturist
Denturists are specialists, which implies that they undergo education, training, and certifications to become licensed practitioners. In some states, an associate’s degree is required, coupled with supervised clinical practice of up to 1,000 hours. But that’s not all. These professionals will have to undergo practical examinations before becoming certified.
Factors to Note Before Visiting a Denturist
For the sake of consistency and effective treatment, patients will need to visit a dentist for routine check-ups, especially if they suffer some oral health issues. Upon medical examination, the dentist can recommend a denturist. Finding the right denturists and clinics for tooth restoration is no walk in the park, but then, it is easy with these steps.
Qualification
Similar to how a patient would visit an optician for an eye check-up, so is it essential to see a denturist to replace missing or damaged teeth — not a dentist. Even after finding some denture services within a location, the patient must streamline the search. Denturists who are highly active in the profession, fabricating several dentures within a period and having a high success rate, are more likely to give the best results, compared to their counterparts.
In other words, no one can take away the place of experience, which comes with proof of certifications and training. Before choosing a denturist, ensure that the individual is board-certified and belongs to a body, such as the National Denturist Association.
Proficiency and Excellence
Everybody loves a long-lasting smile, which those with dental issues can finally project. The fitted dentures must therefore be of high quality and durable material. Also, they must be comfortable around the jaw.
The difficulty of finding a proper fit is one of the reasons why custom-fit dentures are so important. A patient’s dentures should be made with material that meets their needs. Additionally, the colour, surface texture, and quality of the dentures should be such that they give the patient the perfect smile.
Value for Money
Since dentures are a long-term investment, choosing the best denture clinic is vital for a patient’s health and lifestyle. Although there is a need to consider such an option, the cost can get in the way. Nevertheless, many reputable dental clinics provide affordable dentures that enhance patients’ appearance and ensure a healthy smile for a lifetime. It is only by choosing a denturist that is well qualified that one can be confident of a quality set of dentures.
Maintaining Dentures the Right Way
Just like any other dental device, dentures require adequate care to function optimally for a long time. Hence, a patient must take certain measures to ensure that such implantation is in the best condition. One way to do that is to clean the denture after meals. Doing so will eradicate bacteria and food particulars stuck in between the teeth and gums, and will also help the mouth smell better.
To achieve this goal, brush the implant, using a recommended soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild denture cleanser. Some patients prefer to soak theirs overnight and rinse them the next day. A consistent dental check-up is also essential to prolong the denture.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, denture services are worth the money since they restore one’s confidence. Yet, even the best of these implants can fail after a while if it doesn’t meet the patient’s needs. That is why denturists are there to ensure that dentures are tailored to their clients’ dentition. The process of finding a reputable specialist might seem complicated, but not if one knows what questions to ask and where to look.