Dentures were traditionally obtained by going to a local dental clinic, seeing a dentist over multiple visits, and then having a denture made for them. But with the advances in regulations, tele-dentistry, and technology, is there a more convenient way to get dentures? Absolutely.
Three ways you can get dentures without seeing a dentist in-person
1. Online Dentures
2. Boil and Bite Dentures
3. Seeing A Denturist In-Person
Online Dentures
Getting dentures online has become convenient for those wanting a custom, dentist-quality denture without long waits, clinic drives, and invasive processes. The process is completed from the comfort of one’s home at your timeframe. Here’s a general overview of how you can obtain dentures through an online service:
Online Denture Process
Research and Select a Service:
The first step is to research and select an online denture provider. Some providers only provide partial dentures, some only provide full dentures, some have flexible denture materials, and some can not accommodate more complex pieces. So make sure to check that they can make the piece you are looking for.
The second step is ensuring a licensed dentist oversees your order. This may seem counterintuitive as your goal was to get dentures without seeing a dentist. Still, the truth is that dentures are medical appliances that are created and regulated under the authority of the FDA and dental associations. Without a licensed dentist overseeing your case in some way, there could be malpractice going on. DentKits uses a licensed dentist to oversee every denture design, so you can get the oversight of a dentist without having to go to a clinic or take a conference call. It is the convenience of being at home with the quality of a dental office.
Impression Kit:
You will have to do impressions to get a dental device. In this case, your chosen company will send an impression kit to your home. This kit contains the materials and instructions needed to create a mold of your teeth and gums. The process involves mixing a dental material, placing it into a dental tray, and then biting it down to create an impression. Accuracy is crucial to ensure the best fit for your dentures. That last statement can not be overemphasized.
Manufacturing the Dentures:
Upon receiving your impressions, dental technicians will create your custom dentures. This process involves several steps to ensure the dentures fit well and look natural. The time it takes to manufacture the dentures can vary, so it’s a good idea to ask for an estimated timeline. DentKits uses advanced 3D scanning to scan your impressions and creates your denture design digitally, allowing for easy adjustments and a truly customized denture.
Receiving and Fitting Your Dentures:
Once your dentures are ready, they’ll be shipped directly to your home. Quality providers will provide a try-in first so you can try on the design they have created before making you a final denture. After receiving your dentures, you must test the fit and function. If there are any issues with the fit, some online providers offer guidance on making minor adjustments at home, or they may require you to send the dentures back for adjustments.
Follow-up and Adjustments:
After you’ve had time to wear your new dentures, you may need adjustments for comfort or fit. Check if your provider offers follow-up support for such adjustments, which may involve sending your dentures back for modification.
It’s important to note that while getting dentures online can be convenient, it may not be suitable for every case. Those with complex dental issues or requiring significant dental work may need to visit a dentist in person.
Online Dentures Features, Timeline, Pros & Cons
Warranty, Replacements, and Other Costs
No other online denture provider had information available about warranties or replacements.
One of the best aspects of online dentures is their upfront and transparent pricing. In most cases, the price you see on the website is the price you pay. It covers the impression kit, design, manufacturing, and dentist oversight. This allows consumers to price shop and see the best option for them. We recommend getting your denture from DentKits, the only online denture provider that uses a dentist to oversee your case while using the newest dental technology to make your denture. Their Full Dentures Online put them on the map as an at-home denture provider, and they have continued to innovate the process with custom bite trays, precise instructions, 24/7 customer service, and more.
Timeline
In-person dentures require 3-5 visits to the dental office and generally take two weeks to two months. Online dentures tend to be faster, with a denture delivered within two weeks if no adjustments are needed. If adjustments are needed, it can take 3-4 weeks.
Pros & Cons
- At-home convenience
- No invasive checkups
- It can be faster than in-person dentures
- A customized denture
- It is cheaper than visiting a dentist
- Not a valid option for those needing extensive dental work
- Good quality at-home impressions are required for a well-fitting denture
- Mailing back and forth can be tedious
Boil and Bite Dentures
Boil and bite dentures, also known as “temporary,” “instant,” or “over-the-counter” dentures, offer a quick and cost-effective solution for those looking to address missing teeth without going through the traditional process of getting custom-fitted dentures from a dentist. The biggest issue with boil and bite dentures is that they do not effectively treat those missing teeth. The aesthetics, fit, and customization are sorely lacking with boil and bite dentures. But they can work in a quick pinch for very specific situations.
Boil and Bite Dentures Process
Material Composition: Boil and bite dentures are made from a thermoplastic material that becomes moldable when heated. This property allows them to be customized to a certain extent to fit the user’s mouth.
Heating: As the name suggests, these dentures require boiling water to soften the thermoplastic material. The instructions typically specify how long to boil them to achieve the right level of softness without damaging the material.
Biting Down: Once the denture has been heated and is sufficiently soft, the user places it in their mouth over the gums where teeth are missing and bites down. The pressure from biting helps mold the material to the contours of the gums and any remaining teeth, creating a more personalized fit than a standard off-the-shelf product.
Cooling and Setting: After biting down for a recommended period, the material cools and hardens, retaining the shape of the user’s mouth. This process creates a temporary denture that can be used immediately.
Pros & Cons
An Immediate Solution: They provide an instant fix to missing teeth
Cost-Effective: Boil and bite dentures can be less expensive than custom-fitted dentures, but technology is closing that gap rapidly
Accessibility: They can be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies or online
Fit and Comfort: The fit is generally not as precise or comfortable as dentures made by a professional.
Durability: These dentures are not as durable as traditional dentures. They are meant for temporary use and may not withstand long-term wear and tear.
Oral Health Risks: Improper fitting can irritate gums and other oral tissues, and prolonged use of ill-fitting dentures can lead to more serious dental issues.
Boil-and-bite dentures can be a practical temporary solution for missing teeth, offering immediate improvement in aesthetics and functionality. However, they are not a substitute for professional dental advice and treatment. Their ratings on Amazon and other places where ratings are not rigged imply that people are not very happy with them overall but that some can find them appropriate for certain situations.
Certified Denturists
A denturist is a licensed dental professional dedicated solely to providing their patients with removable full and partial dentures. They train dentists and dental technicians to provide dentures, from impressions to denture manufacturing. Only some states have legalized or regulated the practice of denturists, so it is important to check your state’s regulations to see if a denturist is an option for you. At the time of writing this, only four states allow denturists to operate independently.
While a denturist is a viable option for some, their process is the same as that of a local dentist. It doesn’t really represent any more convenience than your local dental office. However, some denturists have taken their practice online. It is not recommended to order from a denturist online unless you are located in a state that allows denturists to operate independently.
Certified Denturist Process
Initial Consultation:
Like a dental clinic, the first step is to schedule an appointment with a denturist for an initial consultation. During this visit, the denturist will assess your oral health, discuss your needs, and explain the different types of available dentures. Many find an in-person visit to a denturist or dentist to be invasive, so ensure you are comfortable with the invasive nature of an oral health assessment and impression-taking process.
Dental Impressions:
If you decide to get dentures, the denturist will take impressions of your gums and any remaining teeth. This is usually done using a dental putty you bite into, creating a mold in your mouth. These impressions are crucial for designing dentures that fit your mouth’s contours.
Wax Try-in:
A wax model of the dentures is created based on the impressions and bite registration. This model is essentially a mock-up of the final dentures, allowing you to see how they will look and feel. At this stage, you can discuss any adjustments to the appearance of the dentures, such as the shape or color of the teeth. This step requires another in-person appointment with the denturist, bringing the number of required in-person appointments to at least 2.
Fitting the Final Dentures:
After the wax models have been approved, the final dentures are manufactured. A denturist will generally make the final denture in the older style of manufacturing dentures by hand with acrylic and premade tooth sets. New technology allows for digital dentures, but most dentists and denturists still use older methods as adopting new technology in the dental industry is slow. Once ready, you’ll have a fitting appointment where the denturist will place the dentures in your mouth to check the fit, appearance, and functionality. This brings the in-person visits to a minimum of 3 but can sometimes require more depending on adjustments.
Warranty, Replacements and Other Costs
Like dentists, denturists’ warranties and other coverages vary widely. There doesn’t seem to be any particular price or warranty between denturists. Check with your denturist to see what they offer.
Timeline
The timeline of a denturist is both positive and negative. Denturists tend to be faster and more affordable than dental clinics, but their timeline still lags behind newer options, such as online dentures. The in-person visits required to get dentures from a denturist line them up much more with a dental clinic than a newer, easier option.
Pros & Cons
- Cheaper than a dental clinic
- Licensed to operate as a denture professional
- Only available in 4 states
- Still requires multiple in-person appointments
- There is no consistent option for warranties, replacements, etc.
- Most use old dental technology
Summary
Each option has its advantages. Boil and bite dentures are available right now for less than $100 but don’t offer any real relief for the issues edentulism creates. Denturists are a cheaper alternative to clinical dentures but follow the same invasive and time-consuming format. This leaves Online Dentures as the best option for those looking to get dentures without seeing a dentist. By using advances in tele-dentistry, Online Denture providers can keep the oversight of a dentist while combining it with the convenience of at-home telehealth options. With new 3D dental technology, you can get a great, well-fitting, convenient, and dentist-overseen denture from home.
We recommend DentKits.com as the only online denture provider that uses in-state licensed dentists to oversee your case while providing excellent service and care. If you are interested in getting Full Dentures Online, we recommend checking them out.