Who are you going to meet?
Dr. Robin Wilding has Bachelor and Master's degrees in Dentistry, with a Diploma in Prosthodontics, from the University of the Witwatersrand. He also has a Doctorate awarded for a thesis on the factors which determine chewing efficiency. He has a number of research publications in international journals and has lectured in South Africa, as Professor in Dental Prosthetics and Oral Biology at the University of the Western Cape, to undergraduates, postgraduates and practitioners. Dr Wilding is registered with the General Dental Council as a Specialist Prosthodontist. He has recently completed a Masters degree in Holistic Science. Robin tries to bring together both sound clinical principles and a supportive empathetic approach to the whole patient.



Where will your dentures be made?
Your dentures will be made at Dr Wilding's home practice in Haytor which is 3 miles from Bovey Tracey, on the SE edge of Dartmoor. The treatment clinic is separate from the house and in a quite garden setting. The sound of wind chimes and bird song contribute to a sense of peace and tranquillity. Normally four to five visits are required over a similar number of weeks.

What can I expect from dentures?

Dentures can never replace the function of natural teeth unless supported by implants. Neither are they a substitute for the emotional importance of our teeth which make a vital contribution to our body image, sense of youth and wholeness. Nevertheless most denture wearers manage to accommodate to these losses and function adequately; they speak clearly and eat most foods they like. Fresh vegetables and meat can be awkward, as we cannot bite so hard with dentures as we could with our natural teeth. Some patients are never reconciled with having to lose their natural teeth. It helps to talk through these feelings and it also helps if patients participate in the process of reconstruction by working with the dentist if the teeth can be set at the chair-side. With the help of pre- extraction photographs dentures can be made which capture the individuals original tooth positions and features. Photographs enable us to achieve an "authorised" reconstruction. While dentures do not function as well as natural teeth they can look quite natural, and maintain the support of the lips and cheeks just lie the natural teeth did. If you want the denture teeth to resemble the appearance of your own natural teeth Dr Wilding will need to set the denture teeth with your help and photographs taken before your teeth were extracted. For more information on cosmetics visit Denture Aesthetics;Reconstructing a natural smile

Who is going to set the denture teeth?
Dr Wilding does all the initial laboratory stages of work for your dentures including the setting of all the teeth. This is time consuming work but does insure that the laboratory processes are a seamless continuation of the work done at the chair-side. Dr Wilding will set the front teeth at the chair side with you. This provides opportunities for your approval as the position of the new teeth is established step by step. He will set the back teeth and prepare the dentures for casting in his laboratory at Haytor.

When should implants be used?
There are no absolute indicators for implants as everyone's needs are different. Surveys of denture wearers indicate that about 25 % of people have difficulty eating. The relative ease of placing implants and their undoubted benefit has prompted the view that denture supported implants should be the standard of care we aim for. Implants are not a solution to all denture problems, and we need to be sure that we have applied all the conventional processes of denture construction first, before considering them as an option. Dr Wilding will be happy to discuss the possibilities of implants to support your denture. It is also possible to replace missing teeth with crowns and bridges supported by implants. Dr Wilding places implants at the St Pauls practice in Newton Abbot. For more information about implants go to Dental Implants

What will my dentures cost?
There is no fixed fee for dentures as the time required to meet each patient's needs differs. It is recommended that you have a thorough examination of your mouth and any existing dentures you have so as to be able to make a well informed decision about any future treatment and to consider the estimated cost. The estimated fee will depend on the amount of chair side and laboratory time necessary to achieve a satisfactory result. You may expect the estimated fee to be between £ 900 and £ 1100 for complete upper and lower dentures. Single dentures are a about two thirds of the fee of complete dentures. There is a fee for the examination and consultation of £ 55. When you have selected the treatment of your choice you will be asked to pay one third of your fee when treatment begins, to cover material costs, and the remainder at the final scheduled visit. All patients are welcome to return for as many adjustments as necessary.

For information about new dentures and how to get on with them click on New dentures

What have patients reported about their dentures?

"Since having my implants I have forgotten I'm wearing dentures. I didn't expect the implants to be so comfortable, and eating out is no longer traumatic". Stevie Kiel, Colyton

"Being able to laugh and smile and eat with complete confidence has meant a great deal... I was delighted with the quality of Robin Wilding's work." Carol Wrightson, Premier Place, Exeter.

"At long last I am not aware of having dentures. They look and feel very natural" Marion Ranger, Chulmleigh

"The teeth are fantastic- I hardly know they are not my own." June Marshall, Maramchurch.

"Having lost my front teeth at a very young age, it was wonderful to recognise the smile I hadn't seen in many years" Penny Hodgeson, Yelverton.

""My new complete upper denture has substantially improved my daily life! No more messy denture adhesives. Improved appearance."Ron Arnold, Budleigh Salterton

"Professional, friendly and considerate service". Tony Harris, Honiton.

"They are the best set of dentures I have ever had" June Thomas, Totnes

"I was extremely pleased with my new dentures as I have had major problems with dentures before this" Faye Erskine, Kingsbridge

"Sympathetically professional". Joy Shore, Bideford.

"I did the 48 hour denture service as I live a distance away. If I need replacement dentures in the future I wouldn't hesitate to do this again, Robin being only an e-mail or phone away for advice." June Baker Clevedon

"It became an every day embarrassment just trying to keep my dentures in place. What a transformation has taken place since you fitted lower denture implants. My confidence has returned and life is worth living again." Judith Mitchell, Tavistock

"A visit to Robin has turned my life around. Lips fit over teeth which are so like my own I want to keep smiling. Marjorie Nicholson. Totnes

How can my facial pain be reduced?

Chronic facial pain , like back ache, is quite common and very intrusive. Fortunately it is not caused by infection, or cancer; in fact there is very little associated tissue damage in the most common type of chronic facial pain . There are usually a number of related complaints associated with chronic facial pain. A common one is stress, so Dr. Wilding will take a full history of your pain and its circumstances. He will explain the origins of chronic facial pain and how you can reduce it by massage , stretching and exercise. He will also suggest strategies for coping with persistent pain. There is more information about pain management, on this site.

As all pain has strong emotional components, Dr Wilding may suggest you see a trained counsellor. If you suffer from pain from the jaw muscles, you may be advised to wear a plastic appliance between your teeth for a while. No irreversible treatment to your teeth or joint will be recommended without exhaustive assessment, evaluation of conservative treatments, and consultation with other professionals.

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