Denturist Tricia Kirby considers the relocation of her clinic from Wasaga Beach to Stayner as a homecoming.

Kirby recently opened the doors of Stayner Dentures, formally known as Kirby Denture Services, and is happy to be doing business in her hometown.

During her career Kirby has seen many advancements in technology that save time, improve accuracy and make for a more pleasant customer experience but, she said, there is still a lot of technique involved.

Kirby worked as a dental assistant for 15 years before retraining as a denturist 14 years ago.

As a specialist, Kirby primarily makes all types of dentures including full, partial, implant retained dentures and immediate dentures, placed right after tooth extraction.

The high-tech clinic has an in-house laboratory, two operatories and 3D printing capabilities. It employs two dental assistants and an independent hygienist.

“Digital dentistry is quite relevant,” said Kirby.

She said the fabrication of dentures has gone from being done by hand, to using computers and intraoral scanners, negating the need to make impressions by taking a mold of the teeth.

Kirby said an aversion to getting impressions done is usually the reason people avoid getting dentures.

“Having the scanner really opens up to allow a more inclusiveness for everyone where we can eliminate some of these fears,” said Kirby.

The final product is either 3D printed or milled, or a combination of both throughout the fabrication process.

The goal every time is to create a natural feeling bite, which takes special skill.

She said the most rewarding thing is to see people

leave happy with their new teeth.
“That’s the whole goal,” said Kirby. “Some people

have been putting off doing that for a long, long time and have been hiding their smiles. Now they can actually go out and function in society, and smile and talk... It’s a confidence builder. All those things are why we do it, to change people’s lives for the better.”

Stayner Dentures is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Trina Berlo photo: Stayner Dentures held a grand opening on June 26, celebrating its new location at 7458 Hwy 26, Unit 10. Taking part in a ribbon cutting ceremony, from left: council member John Broderick, dental assistant Colette Jackson, Dianne Kirby, Mayor Doug Measures, denturist Tricia Kirby, Pat Kirby, office manager and dental assistant Magdalena Collins, and council member Marty Beelen.