Shd I Go to Dentist or Denturist?

[321Marie]

Can someone tell me who is most qualified for making dentures?

I will be getting a full top plate. My dentist is sending me to someone else to pull the teeth (would that be an endodontist?) and then I believe he (the reg. dentist) makes and fits the dentures. Does that sound like a good plan?

What I'm really wondering is who would be the most qualified to make dentures, and what is the difference between a dentist and a denturist?

'Denturist' sounds like they specialize in dentures....but are they less qualified and can, therefore, only do dentures? or are they a completely qualified dentist with extra specialized training in dentures? Anyone know?

Thanks.

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[gryffindor]

PLEASE do yourself a favor and go to the dentist for your dentures. A denturist is NOT a dentist; s/he is usually a laboratory technician who has no training in seeing patients. Dentures are not just a bunch of teeth embedded in some plastic; there are many factors involved in getting them to fit properly and comfortable in your mouth and it is in your best interest to go to the dentist.

If you want to go to a real denture specialist, you should go to a Prosthodontist. A prosthodontist is someone who did 4 years of dental school and is a dentist, and then did 3 years of specialized training in dentures and crowns. You can look up prosthodontists in your phone book or ask your dentist for a referral. Many times general dentists will only refer a patient to a prosthodontist if they feel it is an extremely tough case. But you can insist on seeing a prosthodontist if you want a true denture specialist to supervise making your dentures.

The way it works at the dental school when patients get all of their teeth out for a complete denture is like this. The dentist takes an impression (a mold) of your teeth so he can make a model of your teeth. On this model, they break off all the teeth to make an interim (temporary) denture for you to wear as soon as your teeth are extracted so you are not completely toothless while the extraction sites heal. After healing and a few weeks for the bone to resorb, he'll start work on your final denture which will fit you better, is processed better and stronger than the temporary.

I've read your previous posts and know you have periodontal disease and bone loss and are a smoker, but did you get a second opinion before having all of your teeth removed? I don't know much without seeing your case, but it might not be a bad idea, especially if you are young. The oral surgeons here are saying it is becoming more rare to see a patient in their office having all of their teeth out for a complete denture.

BTW, an oral surgeon extracts teeth and is probably where your dentist is sending you. The endodontist is a root canal specialist.

 

[Dr. Pedo]

Hi Marie,

I completely understand your confusion. Hopefully I can shed some light on your topic.

First, you are doing the correct thing by going to your dentist. Your dentist sent you to another dentist whom is specialized in surgery to pull your teeth. We call them an oral surgeon. Normally a dentist would remove teeth----however, if there are several that need to be removed, or your dental case presents some circumstances that the dentist would rather not deal with in a small office (such as: IV sedation, or couple of impacted wisdom teeth) it is best to refer you to a dental specialist.

As far as Denturist----BEWARE----they are ILLEGAL in 44 states!!! If you don't live in Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, or Washington-----then the people you are considering getting dentures from are practicing illegally and you should immediately terminate your relationship. And if you do live in one of those states beware ----They are NOT DENTIST in any shape or form. The denturists have no national governing body that regulates a standard of education needed to become a denturist. Scary. How do you know their qualifications? Remember it is your mouth. I think being illegal in 44 states should be reason enough to stay away from these people. If you want a denture specialist ask your current dentist for a referral to see a PROSTHODONTIST. They are dentists that have spent an additional 3-4 years specializing in replacing missing teeth. However your dentist is a DOCTOR of DENTAL SURGERY, he/she is qualified to handle nearly all denture cases.

Good luck
RRB

 

[groundhog]

If I were you I would, without question, see a dentist or prostodontist for your first set of dentures. You might be content with the results produced by a denturist for any subsequent sets of dentures, but I would personally continue to use the services of a dentist or prostodontist even then.

 

[dudelove]

I haven't seen your case, but I certainly hate giving patients dentures and also hate the process of making them. I don't know the condition of your teeth but you may want to discuss with your dentist(not denturist) the possibility of overdentures or implant supported dentures. These would be most beneficial and you would be a much happier person in the long term. Good luck.

 

[raiford]

Marie, if your lucky enough to live in a state or country(canada) that allows denturism, by all means go.
Denturist's have one specialty, dentures. plus their the one's actually making the dentures. Ask your dentist how many weeks they spent on dentures in dental school. It takes YEARS of dedicated training to understand even the basics of denture, and most denturists have put their time in. If you go to a dentist to have your denture made, he will most likely send your case out to a dental lab to have it made. so the dentist is sorta like the middleman between you and the guy actually making your denture.
Many denturist's offer guarantees with their dentures, I personally give a 90 day, no questions asked 100% money back guarantee with all my work. because i'm that confident that you will love your dentures. only 2 in the past 10 years haven't.
It's true that it's illigal in most states for a denturist to make dentures for the public, and that's truelly sad, because dentist's can afford to pay lobbiests to get the law's all in their favor, hard working people have to go to a middleman with very little denture training and pay double the price for their ill fitting dentures. My point is this, Detist's know teeth, and Denturist's know dentures
Don't get me wrong, Dentists are great, but when it comes to dentures, their outclasses. sorry dentist's. but it's true

 

[Itsmoney]

Marie,

I'm a 4th year dental student, and If you really want to have the best denture go to a Prostodontist! They are the best, better then dentists, and way better then denturists! To me a denturist is nothing more then a lab technician practicing illegally. Making a denture is NOT a hobby, and a a lot of biomechanical factors are considered before making a proper denture. You should keep in mind that having an ill fiting denture can cause several complications, and unfortunatly denturists are NOT trained to identify these problems. "Just ask a denturist how long he got trained or where did he get his traning to identify oral pathology undreneeth the dentures they make" This is what we DENTISTS go 4 years of school for. To learn to identify and experience what the consequence of an ill fitting denture, or a imporperly made denture is.
Just to give you a few examples...A improparly made denture can lead to several tissue patholgy in the mouth such as Denture Stomatits, or Epilus Fissuratum (which can be corrected by surgically cuting your gums), or even an improperly made denture can actually cause your bone to resorb more and the denture being unusable, and you no longer being able to wear dentures because you have not enough bone left.
Its true, most dentists do sent out their dentures to an outside lab, however when the dentures are back from lab, they are tried and adjusted by the dentist who knows more about oral pathology, and knows which areas to adjust so that future complications from an improper made denture do not result. If I really was gonna make dentures I think I would sent it out to a denturist (LAB) and then have them fit by a dentist...Because dentists will have you come back in "Recalls" and follow up on the prognosis of your denture and see if any tissue pathology is progressing under your dentures, this is where a denturist is NOT trained to identify the pathology which we dentists get Hammerd 4 years for to learn and get tested on left and right.
Best Regards
Itsmoney!

 

[raiford]

Marie,
If you can find a dentist or prosthodontist that will tell you straight up, that if he can't make you happy with his dentures, he'll refund all of your money, Go for it.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that everyone calling himself a dental technician is a denturist either. Their not. Denturist's have training in all aspects dentures, including oral pathology, and are also required to attend continueing education courses.
Unfortunately, the art of denture making is all but dead, so your best bet is to follow itsmoneys advice, and seek out a prosthodontist (if money is no object), or try to find a dentist with a lab tech. on site. At least that way, the one making the denture can actually see what their working on.
In any case, find someone thats not only after your money, but whose main concern is getting your oral health in the best condition possible, and making you proud of your smile. because being happy with the way you look really makes a difference in your quality of life.
Wishing you a merry Christmas, and good oral health.. Raiford

 

[DocDrtySanchez]

321 Marie:
Are you having all of your teeth extracted or just several? Considering your age, I have a feeling you will be having teeth extracted for a partial denture rather than a complete denture. In either case, seeing a denturist for treatment would be a poor choice. After three years of dental school, I have come to one conclusion...prosthodontics (the art and science of dental prosthetics) is one of the most, if not the most complicated area of dentistry. Simply making the denture is simple...technicians are relegated that duty as per a prescription given by the dentist. The stages which come prior to the fabrication of the denture are the important ones...and most difficult. I cannot begin to describe how much planning, thought, skill, knowledge, and foresight go into dental prosthetic treatment...all of which are gained through years of study. Money back guarantees....those words would make me nervous if I were in your shoes....perhaps when buying a new television or household appliance, but when prosthetic treatment is needed, I would not go bargain shopping. Go to a trained professional.
DocDrtySanchez
Raiford: the reason why denturists are illegal in 44 states is simply because it would be unethical and negligent to allow technicians to diagnose and treat patients. If you want to practice dentistry...there is only one way...go to dental school.

 

[raiford]

Well drtysanchez, your right about one thing, the art of oral prosthetic's is the most diffecult department in all of dentistry, and that's exactly why dentist's shouldn't be doing it. Face it, two to six weeks of training in removables don't cut it. The only reason you say making dentures is easy, is because you don't have the slightest idea what your doing. I could train a monkey to take better impressions than many dentist's. I spend 10 hours a day replacing dentist's screw up's. And I do work with a dentist, and yes, he does take all the impressions. He's great at working on natural teeth, but he'd be the first one to tell you that he's not qualified to make a denture. And another thing, within two years of joining him, we were booked up solid for 4 and 5 months at any one time. that's with no advertising (zero), and believe it or not, we haven't even had our office listed in the phone book for the last 3 years. The average patient drives 2 hour's to our office. And if you dentist's knew a quarter of what you think you did about dentures. I wouldn't see little old ladies coming in with a purse full of dentures that they can't wear. You want to charge a hefty price for taking a simple simple impression, have the patient bite into a piece of wax, marking the midline then sending it out to the cheapest lab you can find. So tell me how much planning, thought, skill,knowledge and forsight goes into placing a tray of alginate in someone's mouth. You can look forward to a long successful career fooling your patients, i just hope you end up practicing in texas, I look forward to your bussiness.
And by the way, the reason Denturism is now legal in several states, is because people are wising up and voting it in, yeah, it actually goes to a public vote, unlike your high priced special interest lobbiest's paying off state legislator's to pass law's in your favor.
Have A Great Day! Raiford
P.S. If you truelly believe that you can make a quality denture, that will make your patient happy, why don't you stand behind your work? most dentist start charging $75 per adjustment after only a few weeks( A very good method to get them out of your hair). We give a full refund for 90 day's, and a full year of free care (adjustment's, reline's, repair's). And the reason we do, is because we know what we're doing.

Face it, you have no credible argument against me. and I promise this is the last you'll here from me on this subject unless I hear more denturism bashing.

 

[Itsmoney]

raiford,
LOOOL...Just becaue the dentist that you work for screws up his dentures and doesnt know how to take impressions doesnt mean that all dentists don't know how to make dentures! And about your 90 money back warranty...Dentures are not something that can be evaluated by 90 days! it takes longer then that!
Itsmoney!

 

[Itsmoney]

raiford,
I forgot to tell you buy the way! The reason that those old ladies come back with a bag full of dentures that don't fit is because you lab techs made them! Dentists do not wax up their own dentures
ITSMONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[raiford]

IT TAKES MORE THAN 90 DAY"S????? Wow man, I wouldn't have told that. lmao. How stupid do you think patient's are? MY GOODNESS MAN!!!! Put that crack pipe down, and get a clue. If it takes you more than 90 day's to evaluate the fit and function of a denture, please stick to drilling and filling. People work to damn hard for their money to throw it away gambling on your wonderful expertese. Right now you have plenty of people that come running to fix your mistakes, but your about to enter the real world. The truth of the matter is, you'v never really even made a denture, and you never will, but some how you got yourself believing your an expert. After you see your first 1000 denture patient's, and personally craft each one of their denture's, then we'll talk. As of now, your not even qualified to have an oppinion on this subject. You should learn to listen more, and blab less, maybe, just maybe, you'll learn something. I don't think you have the slightest idea how important a role dentures play in a patient's quality of life. There is no room for error, NONE! But Your name say's enough. Have a nice day............ ITS"ONLY ABOUT"MONEY.
RAIFORD
ps. Your other post doesn't even merit a response. It's just that lame.

 

[Itsmoney]

raiford,

I know you are a great technician and all, however your just good at working with mounted casts, leave the rest to the dentist.
ITSMONEY!

P.S. For your information an ill fitting denture can lead to ridge resoption and this resorption is not obvious in less then 90 days as you warranty! I suggest you take some more C.E. courses in your field!

 

[Yah-E]

Although I have not had as much experience as you guys here in casting metals and making dentures, but I do know this in ALL the dentists and faculty members that I have encountered.

Dentists use lab techs AND even denturists (in AZ)! As a dental student and future dentist, I know for a fact that I can make an awesome/perfect denture if I want to spend the time to do it, but do I want to that is the question! My point is, lab techs and denturists makes our profession and life less complicated and smoother!! I will use them, trust their work, and respect their expertise!

In one of my Intro To Dental Professions lecture on dental auxillaries, we learned that those dentists who does their own lab work in their offices are more stressed in life or have trust issues.

Bottom line, dentists and lab techs (or denturists), we have a mutual benefit from one another. There's no need to discuss who's better than the other. Would you argue with your hygienist that you can scale better? Or argue with your assistants that you can sterilize your instruments better?

I think not!

 

[659546]

Recently I went to a prostodontist, and am now waiting for my gums to heal so I can go to a denturist instead, because the prostodontist was such a disappointment. My story:

I have a hereditary neuropathy and have had endless difficulty with my teeth. Finally I decided to have them all out. I paid $5300 to the prostodontist for a set of dentures. He mailed the dentures (which looked very cheap) to the oral surgeon who was pulling my teeth. They did not fit, at all, but the oral surgeon could not adjust them because "the prostodontist had to do that" so he shoved them on as the prostodontist had instructed him to do, tearing my gums open down to the bone. When I got home, the pain was intense, I was bleeding and very sick on my stomach. The prostodontist's office would not return my calls. I finally prized the horribly painful dentures out with a spoon, by this time my bp was bottoming out. When I finally got an office appointment (the only follow up appointment I would have, as things developed), the prostodontist told me that dentures never fit to start with because they expect the gums to shrink, and he often had had "crying naked women calling him from the shower because they were unable to get the dentures out". Unable to figure out if I had just heard that correctly, I tried to get back in touch with him for several more weeks, but was never told what he planned to do about the fact that the dentures did not fit (as in, I could not put them in my mouth at all, as they were too tight and could not be forced down over the gum ridge), nor would his office return calls to discuss this. I returned finally returned the (still unadjusted and unable to be worn at all) dentures and got $4200 back. I would rather wait for my gums to heal and see a (female) denturist. Prostosontists creep me out now.

I hope this is helpful. I do not feel that employing a prostodontist has been on any benefit in my case. Is this a normal patient experience?

 

[kms8233]

raiford,

I know you are a great technician and all, however your just good at working with mounted casts, leave the rest to the dentist.
ITSMONEY!

P.S. For your information an ill fitting denture can lead to ridge resoption and this resorption is not obvious in less then 90 days as you warranty! I suggest you take some more C.E. courses in your field!

I'm a licensed denturist who finished school in Canada. I would like to correct that Denturist is not dental technician. Denturist is primary oral health practitioner and differ from dental technician. Most of us graduate and earn dental technology degree and enter denturist program to learn all clinical aspect. I see so many negative comments related to denturism profession in dental forum by active dentist and it really seems unprofessional and against states professional misconduct law to spread wrongful information to public about other profession. World is changing and branching like you see medical field. There are so many different practitioners. Please do not think dentist is only the one receive adequate education and acting rude.

 

[kms8233]

PLEASE do yourself a favor and go to the dentist for your dentures. A denturist is NOT a dentist; s/he is usually a laboratory technician who has no training in seeing patients. Dentures are not just a bunch of teeth embedded in some plastic; there are many factors involved in getting them to fit properly and comfortable in your mouth and it is in your best interest to go to the dentist.

If you want to go to a real denture specialist, you should go to a Prosthodontist. A prosthodontist is someone who did 4 years of dental school and is a dentist, and then did 3 years of specialized training in dentures and crowns. You can look up prosthodontists in your phone book or ask your dentist for a referral. Many times general dentists will only refer a patient to a prosthodontist if they feel it is an extremely tough case. But you can insist on seeing a prosthodontist if you want a true denture specialist to supervise making your dentures.

The way it works at the dental school when patients get all of their teeth out for a complete denture is like this. The dentist takes an impression (a mold) of your teeth so he can make a model of your teeth. On this model, they break off all the teeth to make an interim (temporary) denture for you to wear as soon as your teeth are extracted so you are not completely toothless while the extraction sites heal. After healing and a few weeks for the bone to resorb, he'll start work on your final denture which will fit you better, is processed better and stronger than the temporary.

I've read your previous posts and know you have periodontal disease and bone loss and are a smoker, but did you get a second opinion before having all of your teeth removed? I don't know much without seeing your case, but it might not be a bad idea, especially if you are young. The oral surgeons here are saying it is becoming more rare to see a patient in their office having all of their teeth out for a complete denture.

BTW, an oral surgeon extracts teeth and is probably where your dentist is sending you. The endodontist is a root canal specialist.

I'm a licensed denturist who finished school in Canada. I would like to correct that Denturist is not dental technician. Denturist is primary oral health practitioner and differ from dental technician. Most of us graduate and earn dental technology degree and enter denturist program to learn all clinical aspect. I see so many negative comments related to denturism profession in dental forum by active dentist and it really seems unprofessional and against states professional misconduct law to spread wrongful information to public about other profession. World is changing and branching like you see medical field. There are so many different practitioners. Please do not think dentist is only the one receive adequate education and acting rude.

Ps. Haven't seen any of prosthodontist actually make their dentures in my town at least. So who is denture specialist?? Please search google what denturist is before write anything.

 

[lemoncurry]

medical advice, very very old thread. closing.