Frequently Asked Questions

No referral is required. You can call us directly or fill out our online form to book a free consultation. Denturists in Alberta are primary care providers for denture services, which means you can see us without a referral from a dentist or family physician.

Yes. Your first consultation with Steve is completely free. There is no charge for the assessment, no obligation to proceed with treatment, and no referral needed. We provide a written quote at or after the consultation so you know the full cost before committing to anything.

North Hill Denture Clinic is located in the North Hill area of NW Calgary. We have parking directly out front and a wheelchair accessible entrance. Call us at (403) 282-6126 for specific directions or to confirm your appointment.

Our current hours are:

• Monday: 8am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm
• Tuesday: 8am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm
• Wednesday: 8am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm
• Thursday: 8am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm
• Friday: 8am - 12pm
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Yes. We direct-bill to most major Canadian dental insurance providers. Bring your insurance information to your appointment and we will handle the billing directly, including obtaining any required pre-authorization before treatment begins.

A denturist is a regulated oral health professional who specializes specifically in dentures, including complete, partial, and implant-supported prosthetics. In Alberta, denturists are licensed by the College of Alberta Denturists and operate as primary care providers - you do not need a dentist's referral. Dentists handle the full range of oral health care; denturists focus exclusively on prosthetic teeth, which means deep expertise in fit, function, and aesthetics of dentures specifically.

Yes. Denturists in Alberta are licensed and regulated by the College of Alberta Denturists. Practising as a denturist requires a Diploma in Denturist Technology, a national certification exam, and ongoing continuing education. Steve Sailer DD has been registered with the College since 1993.

Yes. North Hill Denture Clinic is a registered CDCP provider. If you are eligible for federal dental benefits through the CDCP, we can access those benefits on your behalf and direct-bill Sun Life. Visit our CDCP page for more information.

Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in one or both arches (upper and lower). Partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth while preserving remaining natural teeth, using clasps or attachments to anchor to adjacent teeth. Both types are custom-fabricated in our on-site lab.

Conventional dentures typically take 4 to 6 weeks from your first appointment to final delivery. Immediate dentures are placed on the same day as extractions. Because we fabricate in-house, our timelines are faster than clinics that outsource their lab work.

Modern denture teeth are designed to closely mimic natural teeth in shape, shade, and translucency. Steve works with each patient to select appropriate tooth size and colour for their complexion and facial structure. Premium-grade denture teeth, in particular, are nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth in social settings.

With proper care, well-made dentures typically last 7 to 10 years. Over time, the bone and gum tissue that supports dentures changes shape, causing the fit to change. Regular relines and check-ups extend the lifespan of your dentures and maintain comfort.

Yes. Removing dentures at night gives your gum tissue time to rest and recover. Soak them in water or a denture-cleaning solution overnight and rinse before reinserting in the morning. This simple routine significantly extends the life of your dentures and maintains tissue health.

Rinse dentures after meals to remove food particles. Brush them daily with a soft-bristle denture brush and a non-abrasive denture cleanser. Do not use regular toothpaste - it is too abrasive for denture acrylic. Soak in water or a denture-soaking solution overnight. Handle with care over a folded towel or basin of water to prevent cracking if dropped.

Not immediately. The first two weeks call for soft foods cut into small pieces - the muscles of your mouth need time to learn to control the new denture. Most patients return to a normal diet within four to six weeks, though hard or sticky foods may always remain harder to manage. Implant-supported dentures allow a much wider diet because they do not rely on suction.

Yes, temporarily. New dentures change the shape of the inside of your mouth and most patients sound slightly different for the first one to two weeks. Reading aloud and practising difficult sounds (S, F, V, Th) accelerates the adjustment. Most patients sound completely normal within two to four weeks. Lasting speech changes after the adjustment period usually indicate a fit issue and should be assessed.

Well-fitting dentures should not require adhesive. Adhesive is sometimes used in the first week or two of a new denture for additional confidence, or in cases where the lower jaw lacks the bone height for natural retention. If you find yourself relying on adhesive every day after the initial adjustment period, a reline is usually the answer - not more adhesive. Long-term reliance on adhesive masks a fit problem.

Loose dentures are most commonly caused by changes in the underlying jawbone and gum tissue over time. A reline - adding new material to the fitting surface of the existing denture - usually resolves this without needing a full replacement. We offer same-day relines in our on-site lab. Book an assessment and we will advise you on the best course of action.

A reline refits the interior of your existing denture to match the current shape of your gum and bone. New acrylic material is added to the fitting surface so the denture fits snugly again. Hard relines last 2 to 3 years; soft liners (for sensitive tissue) typically need replacement every 1 to 2 years.

Some soreness in the first few weeks is common as your mouth adjusts to a new prosthetic. Small sore spots at pressure points are normal and are easily addressed with a brief adjustment appointment - this is a normal part of the fitting process. Soreness that persists beyond a few weeks, or pain in specific spots, should be assessed promptly to prevent tissue damage.

Yes. Chipped teeth, cracks, and broken bases can usually be repaired. Minor repairs are often done the same day in our on-site lab. If your denture breaks, keep all the pieces and call us - do not attempt to repair it with household adhesives, as this can permanently distort the fit.

Implant supported dentures are anchored to titanium implants placed in the jawbone, rather than resting on the gum surface. This eliminates slipping and significantly improves chewing function. They are available as snap-on (removable) or fixed (screw-retained). See our Implant Dentures page for full details.

Most healthy adults who have lost teeth are candidates. Key factors include adequate jawbone volume, overall health, and the absence of uncontrolled conditions like diabetes. Steve will assess your candidacy at a free consultation and coordinate a surgical referral if you wish to proceed.

Implant dentures have higher upfront costs due to the surgical phase, but many patients find the long-term value - stability, bone preservation, and quality of life improvements - well worth the investment. Steve will provide an itemized quote covering both the prosthetic and surgical phases so you can make an informed decision.