Losing your teeth can be a real blow to your quality of life. It can affect everything from what you eat to how you feel about your smile.
That’s where denturists come in. These specialized dental professionals focus on one thing: dentures. They’re experts in crafting, fitting, and maintaining these essential oral appliances.
So, what is a denturist, exactly, and how are they different from dentists? This article will clarify their role and help you understand when to seek their expertise.
What is a denturist?
Denturists are dental pros who specialize in making, fitting, and repairing removable dentures.
If you need dentures, a denturist can work directly with you to create them. Denturists take the impressions, measure your jaws, design the dentures, and then make sure they fit well.
What qualifications do denturists need?
To become a denturist, you need to complete a special training program, pass an exam, and register with the organization that regulates denturists in your area.
In other words, you can’t just wake up one morning and decide to be a denturist; you need to get the proper training, pass the required tests, and get registered.
Denturist vs. Dentist: What’s the difference?
Denturists and dentists both work in the field of oral health, but they have different training and different scopes of practice. Here’s how they compare:
Scope of practice
Dentists are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of oral health problems. They provide services like teeth cleaning, checkups, and gum disease treatment, as well as preparing teeth for dentures. Denturists, on the other hand, specialize in creating, fitting, and repairing dentures, both the removable kind and implant-supported dentures.
Collaboration between dentists and denturists
Often, the best approach to denture care involves both a dentist and a denturist. The dentist examines your overall oral health, diagnoses any problems, and makes sure your teeth are ready for dentures. Then, the denturist steps in to create and fit the dentures.
When to see a denturist vs. a dentist
If you need overall oral health care, a diagnosis, or treatment for a dental problem, see a dentist. If you have specific denture needs, such as having them created, fitted, repaired, or maintained, a denturist is the right choice.
What services do denturists provide?
Denturists specialize in creating and fitting dentures and other removable oral appliances. Some common services include:
- Full dentures: Denturists make dentures to replace an entire upper or lower set of missing teeth.
- Partial dentures: When some natural teeth remain, denturists create partial dentures to fill in the gaps.
- Immediate dentures: These temporary dentures are provided immediately after tooth extractions, so you won’t be without teeth while your gums heal.
- Implant-supported dentures: For added stability, denturists can create dentures that attach to dental implants.
- Denture repair and relining: Denturists also repair broken or damaged dentures and reline them to improve their fit and comfort.
Why choose a denturist?
Denturists specialize in dentures, so they can be a great choice if you’re looking for a custom fit, and you may even save some money.
- Specialized expertise: Denturists have in-depth knowledge of denture design, materials, and fitting.
- Custom solutions: Denturists can craft dentures that fit comfortably and function properly to meet your specific needs.
- Potential cost savings: You may pay less for denture services from a denturist than a dentist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What procedures can a denturist perform?
Denturists are experts in crafting and fitting dentures and other removable oral appliances. They can take impressions of your mouth, construct the dentures, adjust them for a comfortable fit, and provide ongoing care. They can create complete dentures (for when you’ve lost all your teeth), partial dentures (to replace some missing teeth), and even implant-supported dentures.
Is a denturist a physician?
No, a denturist is not a physician. They’re not medical doctors (MDs). They also aren’t dentists (DDS or DMD). Instead, they are specialized healthcare professionals focused specifically on the design, creation, and fitting of removable dental prosthetics, like dentures. They have their own specific training and licensing requirements, separate from dentists and physicians.
Summary
A denturist is a specialist who focuses on making and fitting dentures. They’re an important part of the oral healthcare landscape, but they aren’t dentists. It’s important to understand what each professional does.
For the best oral health outcomes, consider seeing both a dentist and a denturist. Dentists can help you keep your natural teeth and gums healthy, and denturists can help you get the best possible fit and function from your dentures.