Search "denturist clinic" and you might wonder exactly what that means — and how it's different from a dental office. Smile Denture & Implant Clinic is a denturist clinic: our licensed denturists focus specifically on the design, fit, and repair of dentures, and we work alongside dental colleagues whenever your care calls for it. Understanding the difference can make it easier to know who to call first, whether you're missing a few teeth or need a full replacement. Here's a plain-language look at what a denturist clinic does, how the role compares with a dentist's, and when you might see both. Read more about our clinic and team.
What is a denturist?
A denturist is a regulated oral health professional whose training is centred on removable dentures. In Ontario, denturists are regulated by the College of Denturists of Ontario and complete focused education in denture design, construction, fitting, adjustment, and repair. Where a general dental practice covers the full range of oral health, a denturist clinic's scope is narrower and more specific: complete dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures, and implant-retained dentures. Some denturists also work with dental offices on implant-retained cases, combining a dentist's surgical work with a denturist's fitting expertise. That focus is the main difference patients notice — a denturist clinic sees denture cases every day, so assessments, adjustments, and repairs are a routine part of the work, not an occasional one.
Denturist vs. dentist: who does what
Denturists and dentists are both regulated professionals, but their training and scope of practice are different, and the two roles are meant to complement each other rather than compete. Dentists are trained broadly in oral health: they examine and treat teeth and gums, manage gum disease, perform extractions, and carry out surgical procedures such as placing dental implants. Denturists are trained specifically in removable dentures — taking impressions, designing the denture, fitting and adjusting it to your mouth, and relining or repairing it as your gums and jaw change over time.
Neither profession replaces the other. Many patients see a dentist for general oral health and a denturist for their denture care, and the two often coordinate on the same treatment plan. Our team is glad to work alongside a dentist you already see, and just as glad to help you find one if you need a referral for something outside a denturist's scope.
What happens at a denturist clinic
A typical course of denture care starts with a consultation, where a denturist reviews your mouth, discusses your goals, and explains which type of denture may suit your situation. From there, the process usually moves through impressions, a design and try-in stage, and a fitting appointment, with adjustments along the way so the denture sits comfortably and functions well. Our guide on what to expect when getting dentures walks through each stage in more detail. Most patients need a few follow-up visits in the weeks after a new denture is fitted, since it's common for a bit of adjustment to be needed as you get used to wearing it.
Denturist clinics also handle ongoing care after your denture is ready — relines to keep the fit accurate as your mouth changes, and denture repairs if a denture cracks, chips, or a tooth comes loose. The denture itself is designed by your denturist and then crafted by lab technicians in our on-site Ottawa lab, so your denturist stays involved from the first impression through to the finished fit.
Why direct access matters
One of the practical advantages of a denturist clinic is direct access: you don't need a referral from a dentist to book a consultation with a denturist. That means a shorter path from wanting new dentures to actually sitting down with the person who will design them.
It also means a more direct relationship — the denturist you consult with is the same person guiding the fit, adjustments, and follow-up care, rather than a treatment plan handed between several providers. If a denture ever needs adjusting later, you can return to the same clinic — and often the same denturist — who designed it in the first place, rather than starting over with someone unfamiliar with your case. We offer a free consultation so you can ask questions, discuss your options, and get a clear sense of the process before deciding on anything.
When you'd see both a denturist and a dentist
There are situations where a denturist clinic and a dental office naturally work together. If you need teeth removed before receiving an immediate denture, a dentist or oral surgeon typically performs the extractions, and your denturist coordinates timing so your immediate denture is ready to be placed right after. This kind of coordination is routine — it simply means your timeline is planned around both procedures instead of one. Implant-retained dentures are another example: a dentist or specialist places the implants surgically, and your denturist designs and fits the denture that attaches to them. In both cases, our team communicates with your dental provider so the two parts of your care line up — you're not left coordinating appointments or paperwork between offices on your own.
If you're weighing your options or simply curious what a denturist clinic can do for you, our team is happy to talk it through — no referral required.
Reviewed by our licensed denturists · Updated July 2026