Denturist – Denturology
You are not alone
Did you know that in Quebec, 58% of the population over age 45 wear dentures and that within this same age group, nearly a quarter (24%) don’t have any natural teeth? These figures come from a health survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 2008–2009.
Another study by Statistics Canada carried out in 2003 revealed that Quebec is the Canadian Province which displays the highest percentage of people aged 15 and over who are completely edentulous (14% vs. 9% for Canada). This phenomenon was linked to the lowest consumption of fluoridated water and a higher tobacco use in the Quebec Province; the use of tobacco is one of the factors causing periodontal diseases that can potentially lead to tooth loss.
The number of edentulous people is declining
Nonetheless, the proportion of Canadians aged over 15 with no more natural teeth dropped significantly since the 1990s. This decrease can be attributed to various factors:
- Fluoridation of water becoming progressively widespread;
- Enhanced access to dental care services;
- Increase in revenues;
- Improvement of the dentist-to-population ratio;
- Expansion of dental care insurance programs.
1 in 4 Canadians
Despite a widespread oral health improvement, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians (aged 15 and over) are still wearing complete or partial dentures.
It is therefore likely that you are meeting several people who wear dentures on a daily basis without even knowing it.
Fortunately, the 2000 denturists working in our country can offer solutions of choice to millions of Canadians who have missing teeth.
What is a denturist?
Denturists have the expertise and attention to detail to assist you in all steps of a treatment that requires a removable dental prosthesis (partial or complete). Their work varies from the elaboration of the treatment plan to the final adjustment of the prosthesis. It includes taking impressions of your teeth and the design, fabrication, installation, maintenance tips and repair of the prosthesis. The denturists have a 3-year technical education (2085 hours) focused on the development of clinical and laboratory skills. They must be a member in good standing of the “Ordre des denturologistes du Québec” to practice their profession. In addition to dentures, the denturist produces dental appliances such as mouth guards, bite-plates (against teeth grinding and clenching) and prosthetic devices that alleviate snoring problems.
Custom dental prostheses
Following an examination and evaluation of your needs, the denturist develops a treatment plan that will lead to the design and installation of a custom-made prosthesis. This means that the denturist takes impressions of your gums, teeth and jaws and records the bite registration at correct vertical dimension (relationship between upper and lower gums). Then, from the master cast (try-in prosthesis consisting of a strip of wax on which they place and move the artificial teeth), they will find the best way to design a prosthesis adapted to your appearance and your needs.
As your mouth continually changes, your dentures will have to be adjusted on a regular basis by the denturist. It is advisable to visit this health professional every year.
A service without middlemen
When you deal directly with a denturist for the design of your dentures, you cut out the middleman and get an affordable service that is perfectly adapted to your needs. Most of the time, denturists own their private practice and provide services directly to individuals.