At the South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic, we do our very best to ensure that your oral health is in tip top shape. That means proper fittings, care, and attention to what is going on in and around your mouth. One of the ways we do this is through performing a quick Velscope intraoral exam. Here is what we are looking for and what that means for you!

The C-Word

The Velscope intraoral exam is used as a cancer screening tool. With this technology, your denturist can detect areas that are abnormal, signifying cancerous or even pre-cancerous tissues. This type of exam is an important part of your oral health maintenance. Not only is the inside of your mouth a tough area for you to look at, but blood tests cannot identify mouth or throat cancers in the same way they can detect them in other parts of the body. This creates a greater risk of the disease spreading before it is diagnosed.

Early Detection

Oral cancers manifest as carcinomas that form and potentially spread to other parts of the mouth and even the body through the bloodstream or lymph system. It may sound scary, but the good news is that oral cancer is highly treatable if caught early. In fact, the cure rate for early detection is 90%! There are many different ways to treat this disease, and the earlier it’s found, the easier the treatment process will be.

Total Mouth Care

Some of you may be asking: why is my denturist screening for oral cancer? The answer is simple; it’s because we care. The risk of oral cancer increases significantly in people over the age of 40. As it works out, most of our patients are north of 40 and stand a greater chance of developing this disease. As your denturist team, we spend a lot of time in and around your mouth and give our patients peace of mind. And if we do find anything abnormal, we can then refer you to dental specialists and oral pathologists.

As always, we are here to answer any questions you may have about your oral health. Call us today at either of our Calgary locations for a consultation.

You’ve probably heard that you should be taking out your dentures at night, but many of our patients want to know why! In this week’s article we are going to explore what happens to your mouth when you leave your dentures prosthetics in at night.

Keep Your Bones Strong

Your gums are supported by bony ridges underneath that helps them keep their shape. When you leave your dentures in at night, they create an environment of constant pressure against those ridges. This causes a process called resorption. Resorption is when one part of the body draws in another part. This results in a gradual decrease in bone volume and density. Your denture won’t be the only thing lacking in support, your cheeks and lips will also be affected by the bone loss. This can cause dramatic changes in facial appearance.

Give Your Gums a Break

Your gums need to breathe. Patients who wear their upper dentures overnight often experience a condition called denture stomatitis. This is essentially a yeast infection in your mouth which causes inflammation. Your immune system will need to work extra hard in order to fight off the infection, but if the gums remain irritated and held against bacteria, the area will not be able to heal properly.

Let Your Lungs Rest

Dentures left in overnight are a breeding ground of bacteria, but yeast infections aren’t the worst of it. A study by the Journal of Dental Research has shown that there is an undeniable link between sleeping with dentures and pneumonia. In fact, denture-wearers who leave their prosthetics in overnight experience pneumonia 2.3 times more than those who take them out. Lung infections can be fatal if not caught and treated properly.

If you have removable dentures, it can be tempting to leave them in overnight. Forgetting to take them out every once in a while won’t do much harm, but making a habit of it can cause a host of issues like the ones listed above. For other questions on how to take care of your dentures, give the experts a call today!

With all of the dentures out there, it can be easy to lump them all together. After all, isn’t one denture the same as any other? The answer may not be as simple as you think! Here are some important factors to consider before investing in dentures.

Different Types

• Complete Dentures. If you are completely edentulous, this is likely the solution for you. These dentures replace all of the teeth in your mouth. Click here for more information on complete dentures. 

• Partial Dentures. For those who still have healthy teeth remaining, partial dentures can help fill in the gaps. Read about partial dentures here.

• Denture Implants. In many cases, simply having a removable denture is not enough to improve mouth function. Denture implants can help offer stability and support. Learn more about them here.

• Specialized Options. Some patients have special considerations. Because of this, they require dentures that may need to be a little different in design, fit, or material. Check them out here.

Different Qualities

When it comes to dentures, you often get what you pay for. Denturists or dentists that charge less use cheaper materials and less customized processes. We recognize, however, that a lower price tag can be very tempting. Many of our patients have a fixed income, and cost is an incredibly important factor when it comes to dentures. However, cheap prosthetics don’t only look cheap, they affect your ability to eat and speak. That’s why it’s important to find a denturist willing to work with your budget and offer financing options. An affordable payment plan can allow you to maintain your quality of life without sacrificing your budget.

Different Needs

So what does all of this mean for you? It means that your dentures will probably be nothing like your grandparents’ dentures or your neighbour’s. Each mouth is incredibly unique and deserves a denturist that will be able to fit the proper dentures to it, whatever that looks like. If you’re in the Calgary area, call us today for a consultation to learn about your options.

Not all denture practices are created equal. There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing who to trust your smile to. This week we are going to take a look at the advantages of having an on-site dental lab.

Face-to-Face Communication

While our modern world seems to be communicating exclusively through screens, there is something to be said about the value of face-to-face. Instead of having to email, call, or text, denturists with on-site labs can simply walk down the hallway to speak with a lab technician. There is no room for interpretation when it comes to live interaction. This is the perfect way to ensure that both denturist and technicians are on the same page when it comes to building and fitting your denturists.

Quicker Turnaround

With traditional dental clinics, the process goes like this: your dentist sends your denture requirements to the lab, then they wait for the dentures to be built. Once they are complete, you must wait for your new dentures to be sent back to your dentist’s office. In most cases, the journey doesn’t end there as most dentures will need to be adjusted before they properly fit the patient’s mouth. This back and forth eats up an enormous amount of time. An on-site denture lab will eliminate the majority of the waiting time, ensuring that you get your brand new smile right away.

Lower Costs

The relationship between denturists and off-site technicians is a vendor-client exchange. As the two are separate entities, they will both take their own cut of the profits. The transport of your dentures from lab to office is an additional cost that will need to be tacked on. You can bet that your bill at the end of it all is going to reflect those charges. Denture offices with on-site labs have a much closer business relationship as denturists and technicians are on the same team. They must work together to be successful, meaning that your costs will be kept much lower.

If you want more personalized care and faster results all for a reasonable price, you’ll want to choose a denturist with an onsite lab. Find out what South Calgary Denture & Implant Clinic can do for you! Contact us for a consultation today!

At South Calgary Denture & Implant clinic, we understand that no two mouths are alike. That’s why it is so important to offer a variety of denture options for our patients. Many of our services include either dental implants or dentures, but did you know that the two can actually coexist in the same mouth?

The Solution to Bone Loss

Common knowledge can lead you to believe that you have to pick between bridges and dentures, but that just isn’t the case. In fact, many of our patients find that their needs aren’t met exclusively by one or the other. Fixed-detachable dentures, otherwise known as hybrid dentures, replace missing teeth and gum tissue with a prosthetic attached to dental implants. They are a great solution for patients that suffer from bone loss but don’t want the hassle of removable teeth.

The Best of Both Worlds

By combining the gum tissue replacement of dentures and the stability of dental implants, hybrid dentures effortlessly integrate esthetics and function. Normal bridges only replace teeth and not gum tissue, so they look awkward and improperly sized in a patient with little gum tissue of their own. Hybrid dentures use pink acrylic, mimicking the natural look and proportion of your teeth and gums.

How it Works

For denturists with in-house denture labs, like us, you won’t have to wait long at all for your new teeth and gums! To create a solid base, your denture specialist will need four to six dental implants. The denture is then attached to the implants. Whichever method is used, you can be sure that your hybrid dentures aren’t going anywhere.

If you have experienced severe bone loss in your jaw and are looking for a permanent solution, hybrid dentures just might be for you! Contact our denture specialists at either of our locations in Calgary and get started today!

As with any type of medical procedure, there are sometimes reports of dentures not working for some people. This can lead many potential patients to believe that denture implants can “reject” someone in the same way that an organ transplant might “reject.” However, dentures do not require tissue matching or blood typing like other procedures might. Here are three factors that can impact the success of one’s dentures:

Patient Selection

There are times when a patient is not suitable for dental implants. These contraindications should never be guessed or assumed, as all of them are easy to spot for a medical professional. They include: Osteopathies and disorders of bone metabolism, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, connective tissue diseases and specific autoimmune diseases such as lupus, and high-dosage radiotherapy. Denture specialists need to be well versed in the cases where denture implants can be harmful, so that they can make informed decisions on behalf of their patients.

Practitioner Proficiency

Again, the onus here is on the denture specialist. Not only do they need to be aware of the conditions that can be contraindicated, they need to have a working knowledge of the entire denture implant process. From casting to procedure, it is vital that they have the finesse and experience required of this type of prosthetic. This is why it is so important to be aware of your denturist’s credentials and explore their patient reviews before you trust your mouth to them.

Regular Oral Hygiene

The last item on this list is directly related to you, the patient. It doesn’t matter how amazing your denturist is, if you don’t take care of your implant properly, you are directly impacting its chance at success. Daily cleaning will help your implant to properly fuse to the bone by lowering the risk of infection drastically. Furthermore, your soft tissue health tooth function must be evaluated periodically to ensure long-term success of the dental implant. Long story short: don’t miss your follow-up appointments.

Having dental implants done should never cause you any trouble. Don’t trust your oral health to luck. The above factors will almost certainly make or break your denture success. For questions on whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants, contact the experts at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today!

Are you in the market for dentures? If you’re shopping around for a Calgary denturist, it can be a challenge to sift through all of the offices out there. Here are five questions to ask potential denture specialists before you make your final decision.

Do You Have Financing Plans Available?

Your oral health has some deep connections with your overall health. With that in mind, you already know that you don’t want to skimp on the quality of your dentures. So instead of focusing on the price tag, take a look at exactly how your denturist’s office will help you afford treatment. This is an important question, especially if you are on a fixed income.

What Are Your Hours?

Many of our patients have preferred hours that they can come in. Some of them require a ride from family members who work during the day and others are working themselves. It’s important that your clinic of choice is open during the hours that you can actually attend appointments.

How Soon Can I Get In for an Appointment in Case of Emergency?

If your dentures crack, you need to know that your denturist has your back, or rather your teeth, in a timely manner. Long wait times can actually be damaging. It may impede your ability to eat, and having your dentures out too long will negatively affect your gums and jaw.

Do You Continue to Take Courses or Workshops Relating to Your Craft?

Any type of medical professional should have a constantly evolving understanding of their craft. Technology changes as does our understanding of the human body. Take a moment to ask your denturist if they have continued learning after their mandatory schooling. This not only reveals their expertise, but it is a demonstration of their committed care to their patients.

Do You Build Your Dentures In-house or Are They Outsourced?

After your mouth is cast, many denturists will send the images to a lab to be processed and have your dentures built. This adds several days, if not weeks, to the denture process. Having a denture lab onsite will allow for shorter turn-around times while you are having your dentures adjusted to your mouth.

Contact us at either of our Calgary offices to find out if our denture professionals would be a good fit for you!

There are many factors that define a good denturist. From skill level to bedside manner, it’s important to know that you have the best possible team working on your smile. The difference between a good denturist and a great denturist, however, is in how much they care! Here are four signs that your denture professional truly cares:

They Are Always Learning

As with any specialty in healthcare, there is always something new to learn. Continued education is a great way for denturists to stay on top of their fields and deliver the best care to their patients. Being certified as a denturist doesn’t legally require too much educational upkeep after being awarded the title, so those that do choose to keep learning are clearly demonstrating their continued desire to improve their practice.

They Work with Your Finances

If you already wear dentures or think you may need them soon, you probably already know that oral prosthetics are an investment. Many denture patients are on fixed incomes, making reasonable payment plans crucial to their treatment. A denturist who cares is willing to work with their patients when it comes to affordability. While high quality dentures will always have a matching price tag, it’s important that your denturist understands your financial situation and gives you customized options to achieve your perfect smile.

They Invest in Your Smile

Professional denturists know that their job revolves around your smile. Without your trust, they wouldn’t be able to perform their job at all! A huge part of gaining that trust is being able to design, build, and fit you with dentures that are comfortable, functional, and natural looking. Achieving this means using materials and technology that are current and well-researched. You should never cut corners when it comes to oral care, and your denturist shouldn’t either!

They Treat You Like Family

Being fitted with dentures is only one step in the long relationship with your denturist. You are going to be seeing them at least once a year, every single year, to keep tabs on your mouth. A truly great denturist won’t just give you great dentures, but they will treat you like family, too.

While this is in no way an exhaustive list of the ways that great denturists show extra care for their patients, it paints a clear picture. At the end of the day, you have to live with your smile. Invest in a Calgary denturist that cares as much about your oral health as you do! Call us today at 403-254-5000.

Dental implants are a great way to get your smile back. The best part is that no one will know that you have prosthetic teeth unless you tell them! But while your new pearlies look like the real thing, there are a few differences you need to keep in mind when caring for your custom made grin.

Be Gentle

Our natural teeth have a bit of “give” to cushion against excessive bite force. This is because the tooth is attached to the bone by the periodontal ligament. That ligament is a flexible membrane. In the case of dental implants, the teeth are attached directly to the rigid bone. Too much force can potentially damage that bone. Not only will this compromise the effectiveness of the implant, but it can be a painful experience. Treat your dental implants kindly and don’t apply unnecessary force when chewing.

Be Aware

Natural teeth are chock full of nerves that let you know its boundaries. Any undue force will be communicated to your brain right away and you can adjust your bite as needed. Implants, unfortunately, don’t share this quality. The only pressure you will feel is on the bone, and that is not nearly as sensitive as natural tooth nerves. That’s why it is so important to start off slow and pay extra attention to your bite if you have dental implants.

Trust the Experts

Getting the most out of your bite starts at the very beginning of your implant process. No matter how carefully you chew or how well you pay attention to your new teeth, that won’t do you any good if they haven’t been properly balanced and designed in the first place. Ensure to invest in a skilled denturist who will not only be able to build you the perfect custom set of teeth, but will take the time to show you how to properly care for your new smile. Regular checkups and maintenance are key to the longevity of your dental implants.

To learn more about dental implants in Calgary and how they can improve your life, contact the experts at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today!

Taking care of your dentures properly will do more than just grant you a killer smile. Your oral health is a huge component of your overall health. If you’re like many of our patients, dentures aren’t the only health concern you have on your mind. However, proper maintenance can help you from collecting new ailments and possibly even help pacify your existing ones!

Keep Your Head on Straight

The most obvious area that oral health affects is your mouth. Loose dentures can cause inflammation and increase the risk of your gums becoming infected. Improper fit can also impact your bite, resulting in joint pain and headaches. These may seem like minor inconveniences, but if your dentures aren’t fitted correctly these issues won’t just go away.

Support Your Stomach

Your mouth is the gateway to all of the nutrition your body will ingest. Dentures that aren’t taken care of can make eating a painful experience. This will drastically affect the type of foods you will be willing to eat. Let’s face it, eating only soft foods won’t get you the nutrients you need. This can lead to weight loss or malnutrition, exacerbating existing problems and creating new ones.

Protect Your Heart

It is yet to be determined whether poor oral health directly affects heart health, but research is showing some undeniable connections. Gum disease is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and those who suffer from diabetes have been known to benefit from periodontal treatment. At the very least, poor oral health drastically increases the risk of a bloodstream infection. Any infection in the blood, regardless of where it emerged, can travel to the heart. In fact, those with artificial heart valves need to pay special attention to their oral health.

Getting dentures is often the first step in improving your oral health. The next step is developing great oral care habits such as regular checkups and daily cleaning. If your dentures are impeding your life in any way, don’t wait until a problem arises. Contact the experts at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today!