Who Denturists Are

A denturist is a licensed professional dedicated solely to providing removable full and partial dentures to their patients. Denturists are an important part of the community of dental care providers, who have been serving the public in Wyoming since 1992, While you can go directly to a denturist for treatment without a referral from another health care practitioner, most denturists make every effort to develop close working relationships with dentists and oral surgeons to ensure that their patients receive the best oral health care possible.

A denturist is a recognized health professional who constructs, inserts and adjusts removable dentures as well as over dentures. A full denture is one that replaces all of the patient's natural teeth. A partial denture is one that replaces one or more teeth but not all of them.

Becoming a licensed denturist is not an easy task. Before obtaining a license a candidate must pass comprehensive practical an written examinations. The written examination challenges candidates to show their clinical knowledge of oral health issues, including microbiology, physiology, oral pathology, head and neck anatomy and more. The practical examination requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to take oral impressions, design a denture from the impression, create a denture from the design, and fit the denture in the patient's mouth so that it works well and is comfortable to wear.

When you seek the care of a denturist you will find that as a patient you play an active role in the discussion of the creation of your new dentures. Remember, you are in the hands of a professional who specializes only in the making of removable prosthodontics. Your denturist will involve you in the steps necessary to ensure your dentures fit properly and meet your full expectations.

Denturists provide a cost and time effective service. Unlike other health care practitioners who provide dentures, most denturists' laboratory work is done in-house by the denturist who sees the patient chair side.

The Wyoming State Denturist Association was formed to promote unity and to maintain standards of professional ethics among denturists in our state. The WYSDA represents the interests of members of the association to all levels of government and to the public. The organization provides continuing education for its members, and member denturists work together to keep abreast on the latest developments in the denture field.

What Denturists Do

In Wyoming, denturists provide removable dentures directly to a patient. In providing their services, denturists complete the following functions:

Denturism in Wyoming, A Brief History

Wyoming denturists have made a difference for consumers. Wyoming denturists are fully trained and qualified to design, create and fit patients with full or partial dentures. Licensed denturists are independent practitioners who can deal directly with the public. Denturism has helped thousands of seniors and low income people gain access to dentures who otherwise could not afford this important dental appliance.

Since its origin around 1860, dentistry has grown and diversified into many branches and specialties. This evolution led to the eventual creation of the field of denturism - comprised of professionals (denturists) who specialize in the field of removable oral prostheses. Initially, denturists learned their skills through on the job practical experience in dental laboratories and specialized educational programming. Now, as more states institute state licensing for denturists (e.g. Washington State, Idaho, Montana), there are colleges and other academic programs in the United States and Canada that provide training to denturists.

Denturist students must study for a minimum of two years of college level training and participate in 1000 hours of field practicum focusing on the clinical and laboratory skills necessary to fabricate removable oral prostheses. Denturists are thoroughly educated in the theoretical and practical aspects of both intra-oral and laboratory procedures. They must then pass a state written and practical licensing examination.

The profession of denturism has developed and grown in Wyoming since its inception. In 2006, the Wyoming State Denturist Association was established to represent the interests of Wyoming denturists and their consumers. The WYSDA continues to represent and advocate for denturism in Wyoming; most recently coordinating the victory of the Wyoming Denturism Act and defending adjacent attacks on the denturist profession and their consumers through both the legislative and legal systems.

Denturists and You

Any loss of your natural teeth is a regrettable occurrence. Fortunately, it is one that can be remedied with excellent results. Today's denturists apply all their skill and knowledge to provide you with a substitute that perfectly suits both the shape of your mouth and your smile - one that, with proper care, you will learn to live with quite comfortably.

Your dentures will be crafted of quality dental materials to fit well and function within the high standards set forth by the denturist profession.

Should any problems develop in regard to fit and function; or should any breakage or premature wear on either teeth or denture base occur due to any defect or lack of integrity in materials under normal wearing conditions, your denturist will frequently replace or repair the defect at no charge. Ask your denturist about their workmanship guarantees.