Critical Questions to Ask the Denturist Before Making Your Dentures

ask the denturist

You’re thinking about getting dentures, but you don’t know how to start the process. How do you choose a professional that both listens to your needs and gets you a proper fitting denture? Is it possible to find the best denture clinic even if you’ve never been through this process before?

Don’t worry – you will find the best expert. However, you must know which questions to ask to guarantee you’re putting your oral care in the right hands. In this article, you’ll learn what you must inquire about when meeting different potential professionals to craft your new dentures.

How Many Dentures Do You Create Per Year?

If you’re working with a denturist, you must understand their experience in helping you with your natural teeth. When you meet them, ask about the number of dentures they usually create yearly.

The more dentures they do, the more skilled they are in the craft. Generally, try to find a professional who makes many of them because you have a better chance of being satisfied with the results.

Although you should also consider other factors when finding your ideal denturist, expertise is crucial, so don’t forget to ask the right questions.

Another thing to consider is although general dentists can make dentures, you should consider seeing a specialist like Dr. Kristin Shreve Swayze DD … What’s the difference? Denturists are highly trained and licensed professionals who are experts in the fitting and construction of dentures (in fact, that is all they do!). This almost always results in well-fitting dentures that are more comfortable for you.

What Factors Do You Consider During the Process?

Competent denturists will consider various factors before agreeing to create dentures as a replacement for your natural teeth. They’ll thoroughly assess your case and suggest the best course of action for you to take now and in your future.

These should include the types of dentures, like traditional full dentures or partial dentures, or implant supported dentures, depending on how many teeth you have lost.

Even though many patients feel like they are going through more than a few follow-up appointments, you’ll soon realize the denturists needs to ensure they’re suggesting a treatment option that fits your specific needs.

What If the Impressions Become Distorted?

A crucial part of getting dentures is ensuring the results will be high-quality and a natural fit with your facial features. Often times at Shreve Denture Clinic, we pay special attention to our patients so that they do not have loose dentures and have to go through the entire process all over again.

The best denturists won’t waste time when they’re assessing you, but are working towards dentures that fit you perfectly.

Shreve Denture Clinic – Full Dentures & Repairs – Leamington & Essex County Ontario

Sometimes patients are worried that impressions of their oral condition will distort, or that their condition will change, during the time it takes to they send the mold away to get the dentures made.

However, the best impressions rarely distort, especially if everything is all done in-house. Therefore, if you know you’re working with a professional clinic, like Shreve Denture Clinic as it has its own denture lab, you have nothing to worry about.

Will the Dentures Look Natural?

Reputable dental professionals want to ensure you love the results of your dentures. Consequently, they strive to guarantee they look lifelike.

Your dentist has to work closely with you, and they should be open to answering all your questions throughout the process.

If anything is off with your dentures, the denturists will fix it and ensure you like the final results. They’ll adjust the pieces until you get a completely natural appearance.

What Happens If a Patient Needs to Adjust the Dentures?

Generally, if the denturist you work with is experienced and knowledgeable, they should only have to make a few adjustments and you may go through a slight adjustment period.

In most cases, when the denturist needs to adjust something, it’ll be to ensure your dentures stay sturdy and properly fit your oral soft tissue.

Denture Appointment

The best professionals can fine-tune even the smallest details when it comes to dentures. Therefore, when you start considering different alternatives, you should ask the denturist as many questions as you can. It’ll help you make the best decision possible.

Can You Eat All Types of Food?

Usually, you can eat anything after you’ve had your dentures for a while. However, you must talk to your denturist first.

If you have a loose denture, for example, you might want to eat soft foods only. Like immediately getting a replacement denture. At the same time, if you’ve been having issues with your natural teeth, or tooth loss you must first get an appointment with a dental professional and talk to them before eating anything that could harm you.

Regardless of the type of denture you’re getting, a denturist can help you improve your quality of life and feel much better.

Which Type of Denture Is Better?

It doesn’t matter if you’re getting an upper denture or a complete set – whichever one you get will help you improve your quality of life.

Removable dentures, for example, will not only aid you in preserving your mouth’s bone structure and improving your oral health but also allow you to feel more confident.

At the same time, getting dentures and other types of dental implants help you prevent future issues with your natural lifestyle.

There maybe a certain time frame for you to consider implant supported dentures, before other factors like bone loss or age, become too severe to carry out the surgery.

Will You Have to Use a Soft Toothbrush?

In many cases, you will have to a soft toothbrush to make sure you’re not damaging your denture teeth. Sometimes, professionals might also suggest you wash your mouth with warm salt water to prevent bacteria from infecting the area.

Warm water will also help preserve your new quality dentures. Furthermore, it could ease discomfort if you’re still not used to them by softing up the liners slightly.

Remember that denture adhesive can help you keep them in place, but it might take a little bit to them 100% clean again, by scrubbing the denture. If you want to, you can also get denture cleaner (or whiteners), which will help the process and make them appear new again.

Please, try the salt water tip – it’ll help a lot with your denture fit. Don’t forget to ask your denturist as many questions as you need to since they’re the ideal professionals to guide you. Usually they will supply you with a base kit of supplies (denture toothbrush, denture adhesive, denture cleaners).

Are Denture Implants an Option?

Everyone has the right to find the treatment that best fits their individual needs, without any sales pressure. This should solely depend on what you need – not on the denturist you are working with.

The best option is for you to ask your denture care specialist as many questions as you need to get to the correct answer. You have a right to make informed decisions about your teeth, and to do that, you must understand the process involved in getting implants.

You can ask the denturist if they offer implant denture solutions to inquire about the best option for you. Each patient is unique, and dental professionals can guide you through the process and help you make the best decision for your future.

What Is the Difference Between Partial and Complete Dentures?

You could get partial dentures if you still have some teeth on your dental arch. Their purpose is to fill the gaps of the missing pieces, and they also help ensure that you don’t have any bite problems or gaps when eating.

Partial dentures are also convenient if you have gaps in your teeth because they’ll help prevent the other teeth from moving around, as a support.

While you’re sleeping, you can take them out and clean them. You can reattach them later, in the morning again and be just as stable.

Complete dentures, on the other hand are your standard full denture, and help patients when they’ve lost all their teeth on both dental arches.

complete dentures

These dentures are essential to restore functionality in your mouth because you’ll be able to chew and speak properly again. Furthermore, you’ll also feel more confident because they’re aesthetically pleasant.

Most denture care clinics offer one or both options, so if you’re unsure of what you need or would like to explore your alternatives, make sure you talk to an expert before deciding.

Do You Also Do Denture Repairs and Relines?

On occasions, you might not need full denture services but may require expert help to repair or do a denture reline.

Asking an expert if they perform these denturist services is crucial since you’ll be able to save money to fix your loose fitting denture and just fix what you already have.

Do You Perform Emergency Denture Services?

The last question you should always ask your potential denture care clinic if they perform emergency denture services.

Although they’re rare, you never know what will happen in the future. If some unfortunate circumstance damages your dentures, you’ll need to immediately go to the denturist to fix them.

The dental professional who helped you in the first place will be the best person to take care of your dental emergency. It’s a much better option than going with someone you don’t know. Consequently, when you start to process of getting any type of denture, ask them if they offer these services just to be sure.

Contact Shreve Denture Clinic:

Dental treatments have evolved with time, and nowadays, you have many different options depending on your individual circumstances. Asking the correct questions is crucial if you want to get the best results for any type of custom dentures.

Contact our Denture Clinic

At Shreve Denture Clinic, you’ll find caring, knowledgeable, and experienced denture professionals who are ready to help you. If you want to know more, feel free to schedule an appointment.

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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”.