Can I Get Dentures Without Seeing A Dentist?
Dentures were traditionally gotten 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 a convenient option for those wanting a custom, dentist quality denture but without the long waits, drives to the clinics and invasive process. The process is completed from the comfort of one’s home at on 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 online denture providers only provide partial dentures and 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 to make sure licensed dentist is overseeing your order. This may seem counterintuitive as your goal was to get dentures without seeing a dentist, but the truth is dentures are a medical appliance that is 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 single 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 at-home with the quality of a dental office.
Impression Kit:
To get a dental device of any kind, you will have to do impressions. In this case, the company you choose 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 down into the tray to create an impression. Accuracy is crucial in this step 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 not only fit well but also 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’ll need to 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 some 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 up front and transparent pricing. In most cases, the price you see on the website is the price you pay. It covers the impression kit, denture design, denture manufacturing and dentist oversight. This allows consumers to price shop and see which is 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 take 3-5 visits to the dental office and generally take from 2 weeks to 2 months. Online dentures tend to be faster with a denture being able to be 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
- Can be faster then in-person dentures
- A totally customized denture
- 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 provide effective treatment for those missing teeth. The aesthetics, the fit, the customization are all 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 in 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 fit that is more personalized 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 lead to irritation of the 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 overall not very happy with them but that some can find them appropriate for certain situations.
Certified Denturists
A denturist is a licensed dental professional dedicated solely to providing removable full and partial dentures to their patients. From impressions to denture manufacturing, they train in the process a dentist, as well as a dental technician, to provide dentures. 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 4 states allow denturists to operate independently.
While a denturist is a viable option for some, a denturists’ process is the same as a local dentist. It doesn’t really represent any more convenience then 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 for 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 dentures available. Many find an in-person visit to a denturist or dentist to be invasive so make sure you are comfortable with the invasive nature of an oral health assessment and impression taking process.
Dental Impressions:
If you decide to proceed with getting dentures, the denturist will take impressions of your gums and any remaining teeth. This is usually done using a dental putty that you bite into, creating a mold of your mouth. These impressions are crucial for designing dentures that fit your mouth’s specific contours.
Wax Try-in:
Based on the impressions and bite registration, a wax model of the dentures is created. This model is essentially a mock-up of the final dentures, allowing you to see how they will look and feel. You can discuss any adjustments to the appearance of the dentures at this stage, such as the shape or color of the teeth. This step requires yet another appointment with the denturist in person. Bringing the in-person appointments required at a minimum to 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 is available that allows for digital dentures to be made but most dentists and denturists still use the older methods as adoption of 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
Denturists, like dentists, warranties and other coverages vary wildly. There doesn’t seem to be any particular price or warranty offered between denturists. Check with your denturist to see what they offer.
Timeline
The timeline of a denturist is both a positive and a negative. Denturists tend to be faster and more affordable the dental clinics, but their timeline still lags behind newer options such as online denture. The in-person visits requires to get dentures from a denturist line them up much more with a dental clinic then a newer easier option.
Pros & Cons
- Cheaper then a dental clinic
- Licensed to operate as a denture professional
- Only available in 4 states
- Still requires multiple in-person appointments
- No consistent option for warranties, replacements, etc.
- Most use old dental technology
Summary
Each option has it’s advantages. Boil and bite dentures are available right now for less then $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 are able to keep the oversight of a dentist while combining it with the convenience at-home telehealth options provide. This combined with new 3D dental technology means 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.