Dentist vs. Denturist – What’s the Difference Between Them? Explore Both Options Today

dentist vs denturist in Leamington

Dealing with missing teeth is hard for most people. Thankfully, there are many solutions that help deal with this problem, such as dentures/denture implants.

If you’re considering these solutions, you must go to a dental professional. Sometimes, however, it may be hard to tell whether you need to go to a dentist or denturist. On this page, we’ll clarify any questions you may have about the matter.

Keep reading to learn the difference between a dentist and a denturist!

What’s a Dentist?

Let’s start with the basics. A dentist (or “dental surgeon”) is a person who specializes in many solutions, particularly the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of many conditions related to your oral cavity.

Generally speaking, a dentist is qualified for a wide range of treatments, including dentures. When you get examined, you can evaluate different tooth replacement options to see which one suits your needs the best.

These experts can help you tell which teeth are still healthy and which aren’t. They will also guide you toward the alternative that gives you the best results that help resemble your natural teeth.

What Does a Denturist Do?

Denturists, however, are considered a “certified dental technician.” Most of the time, they are members of a dental team who are qualified to examine your oral cavity, take impressions of the soft and hard tissues of your mouth, and produce solutions to help you deal with tooth loss.

In other words, a denturist can help produce an oral prosthesis that resembles your natural teeth. You can get full dentures, which are perfect for patients who have no teeth present in their mouths. Those who still have some teeth can get partial dentures.

Something to note is that denturists aren’t qualified to diagnose or treat any conditions related to your teeth or surrounding gum tissue. They may only produce a denture solution.

This means that you may have to visit a dentist to get an examination and review of your medical and dental history first. Then, you can use the report from your dentist to visit a denture clinic and get something that fits your needs.

Common Denture Services

To put it simply, denturists can perform some of the following:

  • Take impressions.
  • Measure your jaw to come up with accurate measurements for your dentures.
  • Produce, fit, and adjust new dentures.
  • Create mouth protectors or removable prostheses.
  • Repair dentures.

Are Dentists and Denturists the Same?

The short answer is no. While both professionals have the goal of promoting better oral health care and designing efficient treatments to help people, denturists don’t have the same qualifications as dentists.

Dentists are the only ones allowed to provide the foundation for most dental treatments, including denture implants. This involves the diagnosis of your current condition so that you know which dental services are better for your case.

However, it’s safe to say that a dentist must often work with a denturist to give you the right treatment.

Look at it from this perspective: A dentist will provide the basis for the treatment you need, ensuring you get accurately diagnosed. With the right plan in place, you can go to a denturist and ask them to produce a proper solution that lasts long.

Should You See a Dentist or a Denturist?

It depends on what you need, although you’ll have to see both in most cases.

If you want the best outcome possible from your dentures, you will have to talk to a dentist first. They will provide a thorough examination of your oral health, as well as tackle any problems that may be present at the time. With their knowledge, you will get a plan that not only gives you the best results but also prevents infections in the future.

On the other hand, we have the denturist, who will perform their best work when they have the right guidelines. They’ll get all the information necessary from the dentist.

In other words, you shouldn’t pick one over the other, as both will work toward giving you the best denture services necessary.

Bottom Line – Get the Right Dental Care Solution for You

Settling the dentist vs. denturist debate: Which option is best for you?

As you can see, there’s no winner here, and that’s not necessarily bad news.

There are many solutions to work with missing teeth, including dental implants and dentures. With the right professionals, you can come up with a more efficient plan to live a healthier life. 

If you’re interested in getting dentures or implants, make sure you seek help from the best professionals in the field. At Shreve Denture Clinic, we’ve worked hard to come up with revolutionary solutions that give you your smile back.

It’s not just about your well-being. We know that having a beautiful smile plays a huge role in our self-esteem. Through our premium solutions, you will be able to smile wide and bright again. Contact us for a quote today, and explore the alternatives we have for our patients in Leamington, Ontario, Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions – Dentist vs. Denturist

Do you have any extra questions about denturists and dentists? Don’t worry. The section below covers some extra details that you may find useful:

What’s the Cost of Dentures?

It depends on several factors. If you want to get complete lower and upper dentures, for example, you may have to spend more compared to someone who only wants partial solutions. 

At Shreve Denture Clinic, we have trained professionals who can tell you how much you need to spend on your dentures right away. We want you to make the most out of your budget, so don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about our dental solutions.

Can Dentures Resemble Real Teeth?

Absolutely! One of our main goals is to give people a beautiful smile regardless of the treatment they get. 

We work with high-quality materials that will fit naturally in your mouth, allowing you to show off your teeth with pride. 

Are Denturists Responsible for Pulling Teeth?

No. Denturists are only responsible for designing, altering, and producing dentures. Those who want more extensive treatment options, like removing a tooth, should contact a dentist.

Dentists are more than capable of performing such complex dental procedures. Once they’re done, you can get a denturist to produce dentures that fit your goals.

Should I Pick Dentures or Implants?

This has been an ongoing debate for a while. While removable dentures have always been great, dental implants have gained popularity over the past few years. 

To put it simply, implants are permanent teeth replacements, so you won’t have to worry about removing them from time to time. While they last much longer and are easier to maintain than dentures, they’re also more expensive.

Whether you should go for dentures or implants depends on your needs. Make sure to talk to our professionals to learn which option suits your case the best.

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Dentist/Owner

Kristin Shreve Swayze, DD

Kristin has been in the dental field for over 17 years which began with her joining a local denture practice which she eventually purchased in 2010 and with that Shreve Denture Clinic was born.

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Shelly Basden

Office Manager

Shelly, our Office Manager, joined our team after graduating from the Medical Office Assisting program in 2022. She brings a tremendous amount of experience as she managed our local M&M Food Market for 22 years as well as holds a degree in Office Administration.

She is the first face you see when you walk in our doors, she keeps us all organized and is continually busy creating new and creative ways to improve our care for our patients.  She looks for ways through social media to inspire a welcome change to connect with our patients.

Shelly, who resides here in Leamington, is married to her long-time partner Joe and together they have four children and a feline companion, Noel.  Shelly enjoys travelling and spending time with her family. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in her backyard where her and her husband have created an outdoor oasis!

When asked what she loves most about working at Shreve Denture Clinic, Shelly stated that she appreciates that the denturists make everyone feel so welcome and comfortable visiting their office. Working at Shreve Denture Clinic has been life changing for her and she couldn’t ask for a better place to work.

Joanna Leong, R.D.T.

Laboratory Technician

Joanna started her career in dental technology at George Brown College. She found that the program combined her passion for arts and science, and still loves the work she does. She is the one person that you don’t usually see when you visit us here at Shreve Denture Clinic, but without her, you would never have the beautiful smile you deserve.

She’s been in the dental field for 23+ years, including owning her own lab and keeping up to date by attending many seminars throughout her career. We have had the pleasure of having Joanna on our team for the past two years.

Joanna is happily married to her husband, Carl and resides here in Leamington. She has a passion for baking, cooking and animals of any kind. Joanna is adored by her family kitten, Catrina and has a knack for building strong relationships with the neighborhood cats.

Joanna shows a lot of pride in her work and is extremely meticulous. She never lets one case go without paying attention to all the fine details. She works hard to ensure each patient that we treat is happy. When asked why she enjoys working here at Shreve Denture Clinic, Joanna states “I appreciate how Kristin and Claudia take their time with each patient to ensure each case is done properly, which allows me to complete my work to the high standards we strive for.

Kristin Shreve Swayze, DD

Denturist/Owner

When Kristin was just a teenager contemplating her future, she wanted a career that would give her a challenge as well as the opportunity to work closely people. After attending high school in Chatham, Ontario Kristin decided to attend the Dental Assisting program at Fanshawe College. After receiving her certification from Fanshawe in 2003, Kristin then went on to specialize and attended the Denturism program at George Brown College, graduating in 2006.

Kristin has been in the dental field for over 17 years which began with her joining a local denture practice which she eventually purchased in 2010 and with that Shreve Denture Clinic was born. She has since expanded the practice and has hired three employees as well as an associate denturist. Kristin can also offer her patients expert advice for all their dental implant needs and is deeply passionate about bringing advanced yet affordable implant solutions to her patients. Between Kristin and her team, Shreve Denture Clinic now has a combined 85 years of dental experience.

Kristin and her husband Kris have been married for 9 years and they are proud parents of an adorable 1-year-old boy named Kerrigan and an energetic dog named Dexter. Kristin is an avid football fan and enjoys attending games and spending time travelling with her family.

Kristin strives to provide a positive experience for all of her patients and ensure they feel welcome and comfortable while in the dental chair. When asked what she loves most about working with her patients, she said “I love being able to give my patients back their confidence through their smile. It is such an amazing feeling when someone says that their life is better because of their dentures”.