by Megan Skarsen | Sep 20, 2019 | Denture
Did your recent quote for dentures leave you wondering, why do they cost so much? Below are some factors that help determine the price of your dentures.
Quality of Materials – From impressions to teeth, to the acrylic used, it is very important that only high-quality materials are used. It is very important because if cheaper quality materials are used the denture may be less accurate in fit causing looseness, the teeth may also wear down faster or you may experience more sore spots.
Dentures are Constructed by Hand – Every mouth is unique, not one denture is identical to another. Regardless if the dentures are outsourced to a dental lab or made in-house, dentures are handcrafted with each individual tooth being set one at a time.
Ongoing Educational Advancements – Continuing education is very important as a Denturist, so we can offer the best products and services available on the market. With dentures, in general, there are many limitations, so using advanced techniques is the key to maximize your dentures potential for success. Even though this may affect the price, finding a denturist that is well experienced with the latest technology like digital dentures can save you multiple trips for adjustments in the long run.
High-Quality Tools and Equipment – Dentures may have a certain degree of distortion depending on how it is processed. A well-equipped lab with high-quality equipment can provide you with dentures that have minimal distortion after processing. Higher quality equipment also provides the opportunity to take higher precision measurements that mimic your jaw, providing you with a better functioning denture.
Quality of Overall Dentures – There are many different qualities of dentures, ranging from economy to premium quality. When we talk about quality, it can refer to the teeth, acrylic used, type of impression materials, the occlusal scheme of the teeth, how the denture is processed and even what device is used to set the teeth to make the denture. Depending on what is used and how it is made the prices can fluctuate.
Base prices of dentures are determined according to Fee Guide set by the College of Alberta Denturist. On the other hand, insurance companies determine how much they cover based on their own fee guides and every insurance company is different. Consultations at Woodside Denture Centre are free, and a pre-determination can be done to see how much your insurance will cover.
by Megan Skarsen | Sep 3, 2019 | Denture
Did you recently go for a consultation for new dentures? Were you given a timeline for the new denture but wonder why it is going to take so long? When it comes to getting dentures made properly, certain steps and procedures need to be taken to ensure you receive high-quality dentures. The mouth has a unique environment, the gums are sensitive, soft, boney, mobile, and moist. In the mouth, the denturist also must consider the movement of the tongue, pooling of saliva and your temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) which is one of the most complicated joints in the body. The mouth is also always changing, the boney ridge that supports the dentures is constantly shrinking, medications can dry out your mouth and how you bite, or chew can adopt bad habits affecting your denture experience. In consideration of all that, it is nice to know that your denturist is investing the time needed to calculate all these variables in constructing a quality denture personal to you. Getting a denture from a denture clinic also means you are getting the dentures made in house, this means that your custom denture doesn’t get sent off to a lab and changes can be made and take less time.
Here are some reasons why it takes time for your dentures to be made.
Getting a Custom Final Impressions – Although dentures can be made from a preliminary alginate impression it may not be the best choice. This is the initial impression that is a big mouthful using an average stock tray. Making a denture on a basic preliminary impression will usually give you a denture that fits looser, is too long or needs extra adjusting because of sore spots. Doing a final impression may take an extra appointment but a custom impression tray is made from the stone model from the preliminary impression. This means the impressions tray is made custom to your mouth and using poly-vinyl material the impression produced will be highly detailed and substantially more accurate than a preliminary alginate impression. A denture made from a final impression, you can expect it to be better fitting, less bulky, not too long, and fewer adjustments.
Pin tracing bite registration – Properly recording a bite can be considered the most important step in making a denture. Incorrectly recording the bite can cause a cascade of issues, not only for comfort but more importantly it can damage the temporal-mandibular joint. Although pin tracers can be considered an extra step or an extra appointment in recording the bite, it is sometimes it is combined with the final impression appointment. Doing this extra recording can save you many trips of adjustments and discomfort. It is particularly important for people who have worn dentures for a while and have acquired bad habits in the way they bite. Pin tracing is usually included in premium dentures because it precisely registers the bite, creating a better functioning denture
All the teeth are set individually by hand into wax – Many people think dentures are commercially manufactured. Although the teeth themselves are manufactured, how the teeth are placed and where they are placed in the dentures are still individually placed by hand. Therefore, every denture is unique, every tooth is strategically placed by hand to maximize aesthetics and function. Once the teeth are placed, the wax is artistically carved to look like your gums. When finished the wax denture is ready for the client to try-in.
More than 1 wax try-in appointment – The main goal is to create a denture that looks great when you smile, at the same time function properly. Usually, things go smoothly, and the client approves how everything looks and feel in the first wax try-in appointment and can be made into the finished denture. At times more than 1 wax try-in appointment is needed, mainly to change or fix aspects of the wax denture before processing to the final dentures. Maybe the midline is not lining up, or the bite is not lining up and a new bite needs to be taken. Sometimes it is the aesthetics and the client want to change the look of the teeth multiple times. Many reasons can result in extra try-in appointments since it is at that time to make the changes before the final product where it can not be changed. Every time changes are needed the teeth may need to be reset, which also takes time. Keep in mind, at a denture clinic the lab is usually in-house where changes can be made faster if you are getting dentures made at a dentist the timeline may be different. At the dentist, usually lab work is sent out to a lab as not all dentists have in house labs and additional charges may be added for multiple changes.
Needing additional appointments with dentist for some dental work – depending on the prosthesis, sometimes you may need some extra dental work done. If you get partial dentures you may need to get rest preparations and proper teeth cleaning first. In this case, extra appointments may be needed, but usually will be discussed during the consultation before starting treatment.
When getting your dentures made from a denturist, the dentures are usually made by hand and intricately designed to fit the client’s mouth. Although it may feel like a long wait time before you get your dentures, it is for good reasons. But if you need your dentures quickly then you can choose Woodside Dentures’ Digital Denture Service at Airdrie. Book your free denture consultation at (403) 948-0954
by Megan Skarsen | Aug 23, 2019 | Denture
Have you ever wondered what you will do when you start losing your teeth? Do you have a game plan for the health of your mouth? For many people thinking of losing teeth, they think of their parents or grandparents’ dentures. Although dentures are made to replace teeth that are missing, depending on your situation, dentures may not be the best option for everyone. Here are some reasons why you may not be a good candidate for dentures:
- Single tooth replacement
If you just lost one tooth and you’re looking to fill that space, a denture is not the greatest choice. You may have seen many hockey players using what is called a flipper, to fill in the space of the missing tooth. A flipper is short for a single tooth partial denture. Flippers are mainly used for aesthetics to fill in 1 of the front missing teeth. Functionally, flippers are not the greatest choice as they tend to break, cause lisping and make it hard to bite down and chew. Flippers are great as a temporary replacement, but the best treatment in this situation would be to get a single tooth implant.
If you have a single molar missing, flippers cannot be made and an implant or a bridge would be most ideal. It is important to fill the space when you have one or more teeth missing because the neighboring and opposing teeth will drift into the space causing further problems.
- A couple of teeth on one side
When it comes to partial dentures the dentures need to span from one side to the other. Partial dentures also rely on other teeth to keep stable. When you are missing a couple of teeth on just one side a partial denture may not be ideal. It may not feel very nice for you and be very challenging to get used to. If the person has tight occluding teeth, it can also get in the way of properly biting down. Once again in this situation implants or a bridge, would be more ideal for you than dentures.
- Sensitive to gagging
Dentures sit on top of the gums and they need to be a certain thickness, as well, the extensions need to be a certain length. People generally have little to no issues with dentures and sometimes there may be an adjustment period, but usually not a lasting issue. Sensitivity to gagging is usually more psychological or an immediate response. For the few that can not get past that, dentures may not be the best choice. Conventional dentures can get loose over time as the ridge shrinks and can trigger the gag reflex as well. The solution for someone who is REALLY sensitive to gagging would be dentures over implants. The dentures can be cut short, made less bulky, and can be anchored into your bone.
- Flat Ridges
How much bone you have left in your jaw can really influence your experience with dentures. If the dentures have nothing to sit on, it makes it hard for the dentures to be stable or create a seal for suction. This will result in the dentures being loose and unstable, making it hard to chew with dentures. Don’t be surprised if your dentures don’t fit nice like someone else you know.
If you have not lost all your teeth yet, it is very important to keep the remaining teeth and gums healthy. Periodontal disease can result in acceleration of bone loss and when you lose the teeth the remaining bone may be inadequate. This can make your experience with dentures not ideal.
- Oral Cancers
For anyone who may have experienced oral cancer with reconstructive surgery, anatomy and function may have changed. The changes in anatomy may make it hard for a conventional denture to properly sit down in place or for them to function properly. Oral cancer situations are case-specific and will need a proper assessment by a denturist or a dentist for the best treatment plan. It is also very important to get annual check-ups to keep your oral cavity healthy and to screen for possible oral cancers.
Regardless, if you feel like you relate to any of these reasons, you should contact your local Denturist or Dentist for a proper consultation. Creating a proper game plan is very important if you want the best for you the health of your mouth. Talking to a denturist or dentist can provide you with the best option moving forward, even if you relate to listed possible reasons.
by Megan Skarsen | May 9, 2019 | Denture
Dentures come in many different forms, from design to materials used. One of the goals as a denturist is to provide the client with an appliance that can function well, while also being aesthetically pleasing. The aim in creating a denture, is for the teeth to look natural, where no one would guess the client is wearing a denture. The balance between aesthetics and function is different for everyone. As a practitioner, the function is very important and in some cases, the aesthetics may need to be compromised. As a client, the aesthetics may be more important, since their smile is what people see, and sometimes that means compromising function. Although certain aspects of aesthetics cannot be changed, like the position of a clasp or the position of certain teeth, there are some components of the denture that can be easily changed to be more aesthetically pleasing.
Traditionally dentures are made with pink acrylic. There are usually different shades of pink used and some incorporate red fibers into the acrylic to provide some contrast. Although pink acrylic is traditionally used, it does not portray the realism of natural gums. When designing dentures, the denturist tries to expose only minimal amounts of pink acrylic because it may not look like natural gums. This all depends on the patient’s smile and how much gums are exposed naturally. So, what can be done to make a denture look more aesthetically real?
In dentures, there are usually two parts that can be visibly seen, the gums around the front teeth and the palate on the upper dentures at certain angles. When it comes to gums around the front teeth, a couple of techniques can be used to give you a more aesthetically pleasing smile:
- Adding anatomy – The gums are artistically sculpted to have realistic anatomy; giving the denture gums a more natural appearance. This is done in the wax denture before processing it into pink acrylic, the sculpted anatomy help disperse the reflection of light on bare polished acrylic for a more realistic look to the dentures.
- Gingival toning – This technique can give your gums a more natural look through a different variety of natural colour tones and shades to mimic your gums. Usually combined with adding anatomy to create a natural-looking smile, even if the acrylic of the denture base is exposed.
When it comes to aesthetics with the palate, many denture wearers don’t like the big surface area of visible pink acrylic that covers the roof of the mouth. At the right angle, the palate can be visible to many people. Unfortunately, acrylic needs to be there as it the main support for the upper denture. If that is the case, what can be done to have the palate be more aesthetically pleasing? The remedy would be to use clear acrylic. Instead of pink acrylic, transparent clear acrylic would be used in the palate area so your own gums will show through. Even though the denture still covers the palate, having a clear palate denture gives the illusion of not having a denture present.
So, if this clear acrylic can show your natural gums, you may ask “Why can’t we use it to make the full denture?” The transparency is only great for thinner flat surfaces, having it as the gums around the teeth creates dark shadows which makes it seem like you have black gums. Clear acrylic can also be an alternative for people that have allergies to the pink acrylic but need dentures. To properly make a denture with a clear palate, it must be done in new dentures. If you are interested, notify the denturist that you want a clear palate and don’t hesitate to also ask about all the possible aesthetic upgrades you can get when getting new dentures.
If you are interested in these aesthetic upgrades, contact Woodside Denture Centre for a Free Consultation at 403-948-0954
by Megan Skarsen | Dec 1, 2018 | Denture
When it comes to dentures, they do more than help chew food. Dentures are also framed by a smile and is usually what other people notice first. Media puts a lot of pressure on the aesthetics of a perfect smile. So, what happens when one is embarrassed with their teeth or smile? One may be embarrassed because the denture is too big, teeth are too big, too small, teeth are misaligned, teeth are stained, chip on a tooth, missing a tooth, or Denture is Loose and fear it will fall out, etc. Whatever the reason, it can affect one’s confidence and can be debilitating for many. The impact one’s confidence regarding their teeth or dentures esthetically and functionally can influence the emotional and physical health dramatically, it can also affect one’s relationship with friends and family.
Self confidence can be affected by problematic natural teeth to dentures, esthetically or how they fit and function. These problems can lead to one or more of the following:
- Hiding one’s smile
- Proven to lead to sadness and depression
- If not functioning properly, one may not eat properly or enough
- This can lead to malnutrition and health issues or causing further health issues and slower recovery rates
- Malnutrition also plays a huge factor in one’s emotional health
- Less inclined to be in public, eat out, social activities and friend/family functions
- Self hate
- Stress and Anxiety
- Relationship problems
So how can someone remedy their situation and these issues if rooted from their teeth or dentures?
When it comes to dentures, 
a lot of these issues are easier to address compared to natural teeth. If you are experiencing issues from the aesthetics or fit of your dentures contact a denturist. Compared to a dentist, Denturists specialize in dentures and are usually equipped in house to address your needs instead of sending it out to a lab.
Some solutions from a denturist may include:
- If dentures are feeling loose and unstable
- A reline can help this issue depending on age or condition of denture
- A new denture, if reline is not recommended
- If Chipped or broken tooth
- A repair can replace the tooth or space
- If the esthetics or the denture design is the issue
- Usually fixed with new dentures
- Dentures can be customized to enhance esthetics
- Options in choosing tooth shade, sizing and how they are set
- Wax try ins are available to see how they look before finishing (Unless it is a surgical denture)
- If the function of the denture is the issue
- Will need to be assessed by the denturist to identify the problem and how it can be resolved
- If you have problematic natural teeth
- Seeing a dentist will be involved for treatment planning
- Treatments can be done by dentist regarding natural teeth
- Dentist and denturist will treatment plan together for
- Removable Partial Dentures
- Surgical dentures if natural teeth need extractions
- Implant dentures if indicated
Many clients don’t realize how much a new smile can affect their confidence until they experience having a new denture, it is life changing for many. If you feel like your lifestyle or confidence is affected by your current dentures or you have natural teeth considering a denture, Contact Woodside Denture Centre for a free consultation @ 403-948-0954
by Megan Skarsen | Nov 20, 2018 | Denture
Every wonder why your denturist recommends getting a new set of dentures every 5-7 years, even though you feel like your dentures are fine? You get relines routinely every 2 years already to help the fit, so why bother with new dentures? Here are some reasons why denturists recommend new dentures routinely every 5 -7 years.
1. Bone Shrinkage
- When dentures are made the teeth are set directly on top of the supporting boney ridge, this maximizes biting force and the stability of the denture. As years go by the supporting boney ridge shrinks away vertically & horizontally, causing the dentures to be loose and unstable. Relining the denture may help with the fit of the dentures by filling in the space that has resorbed away but does accommodate the position of the teeth and supporting ridge.
- After 5 years the bone may shrink away from where the teeth were set, this means the teeth are no longer directly over the bone.
- When chewing, the forces are now directed off the bone with creates a teetering effect with the dentures, causing the dentures to dislodge easier
- The constant teetering can also accelerate the shrinkage of the supporting ridge
2. Worn down teeth
- The teeth on the denture may have worn down and chewing is less efficient
- Worn down teeth means you will have to work harder to chew foods, which can over time overwork and damage your TMJ (temporal mandibular joint). This is similar to problems with the knee joint
- Chewing harder may continue to wear the teeth down, and the extra forces may cause the denture to fracture
3. Quality of overall Denture
- With the layers of relines over the years and the teeth
wearing down the space between the upper denture and lower denture may have changed.
- Either space has increased, or space has decreased due to a bulky reline. Every Millimetre makes a difference when it comes to dentures
- Too much space – will subtly wear down your jaw joint (TMJ) while losing chewing & biting strength
- Not enough space – will make your jaw feel tired and sore, which also causes damage to your TMJ. One may feel like they are constantly clenching their teeth together.
- Acrylic is porous
- The oral cavity is full of bacteria and with the denture constantly in your mouth every day, the denture harbors bacteria over the years that cannot be cleaned
- Harboring bacteria is especially concerning with neglected hygiene and Soft/temporary liners
- Constant exposure to bacteria may cause health issues if immunity is low or affect your immunity in the long run
- This also affects the quality of the acrylic as the years go by, depending on many different factors from the ph level of your saliva to how the dentures are cleaned etc.
4. Many insurance companies cover a new set of dentures
- Clients should maximize the coverages provided as insurance companies already try to prolong how often they want to cover services rendered.
Reasons why YOU should consider a new denture every 5 – 7 years
- Within the 5 to 7 years you lost a sufficient amount of weight
- If your weight has been fluctuating significantly
- There were big changes in your previous relines
- Overall health issues
- Trauma to the Jaw
- Dentures that have been fractured and repaired
- Especially if fracture or repaired multiple times
- If you have a soft liner
- If the teeth are worn down
In getting new denture every 5 -7 year, you are investing in keeping your oral cavity healthy for dentures in the long run. Routinely investing dentures can:
- Maintain a healthy environment for dentures to function efficiently, in the years to come
- Minimize bone loss, healthy bone is vital for denture wearers
- Have dentures properly designed to maximize chewing function
- Teeth set to be over the ridge
- New sharper teeth
- Dentures made from fresh impressions
- Properly measured spacing
- Fresh acrylic or liners minimizing exposure to bacteria
Unfortunately, the oral cavity is constantly changing, and usually not changing in a way that is beneficial for dentures. The Supporting ridge will continue to resorb for the rest of your life and usually does not regrow after it shrinks. Also, don’t forget that dentures are a prosthesis that relies on the quality of supporting tissue in the mouth, and at best can only provide one with 15 – 20 % biting strength. Therefore, it is important to maintain your oral health and keep out with routine relines and the routine of investing in new dentures every 5 – 7 years. In doing this, you can do your part in creating a healthy environment for your dentures while delaying the resorption of the bone. This in return will enhance your experience with dentures as the years go by. If you are past due feel free to call Woodside Denture Centre for a free consultation @ 403-948-0954
