Frequently Asked
Questions

A denturist is a "denture specialist" who has received specific education and training and is licensed to provide prosthetics to replace your natural teeth. We see patients clinically and also complete the necessary lab procedures to fabricate, repair, or refit full and partial dentures, as well as dentures over implants. Denturists provide denture services directly to the public and no referral is necessary. For certain procedures, we work in conjunction with dentists or oral surgeons to complete your treatment.

Your first visit is a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll examine your current denture or oral cavity in person, talk through your options, and answer any questions — no sales pitch, just an honest conversation. Once we understand what you need, we'll give you an accurate price before any treatment begins, and for larger treatments we'll also submit a pre-determination to Sun Life to confirm your CDCP or insurance coverage in advance.

Before we can give you an accurate quote, we need to examine your denture and oral cavity in person. This is why we offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation, so that you can get the most precise price. In many cases, we will give you a range of options that vary in cost. You can also check if you are enrolled in any insurance or health coverage like the Canada Dental Care Plan.

It varies by treatment. A straightforward reline or repair can often be done in a single visit, while a new complete or partial denture usually involves a few appointments — an initial consultation and impressions, a try-in to check fit and appearance before anything is finalized, and a delivery appointment once everything looks right. We'll map out the exact timeline for your specific situation at your free consultation.

We accept all major payment methods — cash, debit, credit card, and e-transfer — whatever's easiest for you.

Yes. We direct bill CDCP as well as many private insurance plans, so in many cases you won't need to pay out of pocket and submit a claim yourself. Bring your plan details to your consultation and we'll confirm exactly what's covered.

Yes — we're registered CDCP providers at both our Steveston and New Westminster clinics. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will help pay a large portion of the cost for a wide range of oral health care services. The plan covers complete dentures, denture repairs, relines and rebases, tissue conditioning, and complete immediate dentures. Please check if you are qualified to apply. Please note only a portion of the cost is covered by CDCP — patients might be expected to pay the remaining difference for their treatment. If you qualify for the 100% coverage tier, though, you won't pay us any copay at all. Many private insurance plans also offer denture coverage; bring your plan details to your consultation and we'll help you understand your benefits. See our full CDCP coverage breakdown for income tiers and replacement timelines.

No — denturists aren't licensed to perform extractions. For that, we work alongside your dentist or an oral surgeon. If you know teeth need to come out, we can design an immediate denture in advance so you're not without teeth while you heal.

The Denturist Association of BC recommends that dentures be replaced every 5 years. This can vary from person to person and may be influenced by different factors such as the quality of materials used, whether the denture has been regularly refitted, and how quickly your bone structure is changing. If you have dental insurance, most plans will pay towards replacement dentures once they are five or more years old. The denture itself does not change, but your bone structure is always slowly shrinking, and the denture teeth gradually wear out. We are happy to assess your current denture and recommend whether refitting or replacement would be more appropriate.

It's generally not recommended to sleep in your dentures. Removing them at night allows your gums and oral tissues to rest and recover, reducing the risk of irritation, infection, and soreness. Keeping dentures out overnight also helps prevent potential issues like fungal infections and allows for better overall oral health. If you have specific concerns or circumstances that make it difficult to remove your dentures at night, discuss them with your denturist, who can provide personalized advice and solutions.

To care for your dentures, clean them daily with a denture brush and a denture cleaner, avoiding regular toothpaste as it can be too abrasive. Rinse your dentures with water after meals to remove food debris and prevent staining. Soak them overnight in a denture-cleaning solution to keep them moist and prevent warping. Handle your dentures carefully to avoid dropping and damaging them, and rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash when your dentures are removed. Regularly inspect your dentures for any signs of damage and visit your denturist for adjustments.

Yes — the basics above apply to every denture, but the material makes a difference in a few ways:

• Complete & acrylic partial dentures — a standard denture-cleaning solution overnight is all they need.
• Cast-frame partial dentures (metal clasps) — avoid bleach or chlorine-based solutions, which can tarnish or weaken the metal framework over time.
• Flexible (nylon) dentures — skip alcohol-based or strongly abrasive cleaners, which can dull or warp the material; mild soap and lukewarm water works best.
• Implant overdentures — clean as usual, plus use a soft interdental brush around the attachment housings to prevent buildup that affects the snap-in fit.

Not sure what type you have or the best routine for it? Just ask — we're happy to walk you through it, or download our denture care guide (PDF) to keep at home.

A denture that's gotten loose or shifts around is usually a sign it needs a reline, as your gums and jawbone naturally change shape over time — this is completely normal and very fixable. Come see us rather than living with it or relying on adhesive as a long-term fix; a reline is often partly covered by CDCP.

Some soreness while you adjust to a new denture is common, especially in the first few weeks. That said, you shouldn't have to just live with ongoing discomfort — come back in and we'll adjust the fit. Adjustments are included at no charge for the first 3 months after you get a new denture.

Contact us right away — texting is usually fastest. Simple repairs can sometimes be done the same day depending on the damage, so don't try to glue or fix it yourself: household glues can be toxic and often make a proper repair more difficult.

We offer services in English, Mandarin and Cantonese for your convenience