In addition to directing the fabrication of the denture, dentists provide information to patients on the proper care and use of the appliance. Dentures must be cared for properly. For example, placing removable dentures in water or a denture cleanser solution, when they are not being worn, helps the denture retain its shape, remain pliable and keeps it from drying out. Dentures should never be placed in hot water as it could cause them to warp.
Olalekan Okunuga, DDS, FICOI, FAAIP, is a general dentist and the practice owner of this South Hill location. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at University of Pacific in San Francisco and completed his post-graduate residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Based on many years of valuable dental experience, Dr. Okunuga and his staff are proud to offer professional, compassionate care to patients that visit this practice.
The care I received at this dentist office was outstanding! Everyone in the office was very friendly and professional, and explained everything to me including what I would have to pay after insurance, they left no question unanswered. The dentist that performed the procedure did so with speed and care, I was in an out and recovered quickly with little pain. I even recommend this office to a coworker that is looking for a dentist. My visit was so pleasant I look forward to coming back. Thank you for your excellent service!
I had a really great experience with Affordable Dentures and Implants. My mom has always been afraid of dentists and didn't take care of her teeth. She also had a stroke a few years back which has created a few more barriers to treatment. It's difficult to explain to anyone who doesn't personally know a stroke survivor, but she gets antsy pretty quickly and can be a bit difficult to work with at times. She's also physically handicapped and can't use her left side, plus is having trouble transferring from her wheelchair to other seats, getting into a helpful position, and following directions, so it's a bit of a unique situation. She underwent major oral surgery in this office- multiple extractions and bone augmentation- in order to get dentures. This is something we've seen a couple different dentists for, but she has always refused treatment because she didn't like something about the office or wanted to be put to sleep in a hospital, which was out of our budget. Given her limitations and dental anxiety, I wasn't sure what to expect this time around, but I couldn't have been happier with how this office behaved. The front office has been great in terms of explaining processes, scheduling, and billing. I've also had to coordinate paratransit to get my mom to the office, and they've worked with me on times to make sure everything lines up right. Something you can probably only appreciate if you've been in a similar situation. They've also worked with us on fixing issues and missed appointments due to unforeseeable circumstances. Not only did they not scold us for missing an appointment, but they worked with me to resolve the problem that caused it- my mom's assisted living facility biffed it and didn't give her pain medicine after her surgery. :/ But, like I said, this office came through and helped- always making her care the top priority. As far as back office goes, Carlos the assistant has the patience of a saint. Seriously. We had to do a full series of x-rays because my mom couldn't stand up for the pano. My mom had trouble holding still and repeatedly failed to follow instructions. Carlos never stopped smiling and encouraging her. He had a lot of positive energy and kept joking with her throughout, which I know went a long way to making her feel good about the office. He did the same during the other visits, but the x-rays I'm sure were the biggest challenge. Jennifer assisted with the surgery. She was incredibly kind, gentle, and thoughtful. She was always doing what she could to keep my mom comfortable and looking out for her. She even went and grabbed my mom a pillow to make sure she was comfortable. Dr. Athari has an amazing sense of calm about him. He walked us through everything and talked to us throughout the procedure. My mom needed frequent breaks during the surgery and he always gave her the time she needed to regroup. He was very gentle and mindful with her throughout the procedure, and I'm certain that's what got my mom through it without issue. I cannot stress how difficult this process could have been considering the amount of care needed and the limitations of the patient. However, these folks rolled with everything we threw at them and never missed a beat. Always helpful, knowledgeable, kind, and gentle. If I had to find one negative about the office, it would be the wait times. On our first visit, one woman in the waiting room said she'd been waiting 30+ minutes. It took a day to get a call back to schedule. We waited a little while in the office too. However, when you consider that they're working with people like the person I brought in, and that it's totally impossible to predict the needs and behaviors of some of the patients who go in there, it's totally understandable. I have no doubt they took a little longer because they were treating someone else exactly as they treated us- with patience and understanding. That's worth waiting for. So, if you do go, be prepared for some short delays, but also know why those delays happen. Overall, they work like a well-oiled machine. We got to meet the whole team, including their on-site lab techs. Every single person met us with a smile and kind words. I cannot thank Dr. Athari enough for creating an environment like this. Before I close, I'd like to add a word on fees as well. I almost hesitate to call this an affordable dental office, simply because they obviously put care first. All dental offices should do what this office does and provide options, but few do. It's that commitment to patient care and letting you choose what's right for you that makes them more affordable, versus the offices that cut corners to save you a buck. That's a major difference worth noting. They also have an on-site lab, which saves costs as well. Anyway, again, sending a huge thank-you to Dr. Athari and his staff. You guys are beyond awesome.
Cheap dentures, on the other hand, refer to both the quality and the cost of the dentures. Usually, when you go for the cheap dentures, the dentures themselves carry a small price tag but they end up costing you more in the long run for maintenance and frequent relining (refitting). Add to that the fact that you will probably have days and weeks of discomfort to endure.
It’s important to take good care of them so they stay fresh and comfortable in your mouth. Adopting a daily cleaning regime is important to keep them looking their best. To help remove tough stains, soak your partial dentures in a denture cleaning solution, such as Poligrip Overnight Whitening Daily Cleanser or Poligrip 3 Minute Daily Cleanser, as indicated by the directions on the pack.
If you’ve had a metal RPD, you know how cumbersome and heavy they can be. Dentists often see them damage remaining teeth and injure the inside of the mouth. Ultaire™ AKP partial dentures are 60% lighter than metal frames! The polymer was formulated to be lightweight as well as strong, similar to polymers used in hip implants. This creates partial dentures that are comfortable, durable and biocompatible, meaning they are safe to have in your body. Unlike metal, Ultaire™ AKP is non-toxic, non-irritating and nickel-free.
I worked here for six years with the same doctor who was amazing. We got one weeks notice that he was leaving and they brought in a new dentist. The new guy was great too. Everything was fine until I came in to work and found out (from someone coming in to apply for a job, NOT MY BOSS) that both my job and our front desk lady’s job was posted online. We had been denied raises for 6 years because corporate said we were hired on at a rate higher than we should have been. I called my regional manager to ask if I was being fired and was told that they were going to be interviewing to see what kind of talent was out there. Basically they were going to fire people who had worked there for SIX YEARS to hire someone to work for less money. Do not think that you or your family matter to those people! All they care about is the bottom line and you are just a number. Six years I worked there, and I even ran the front and the back when our front desk was out for almost 6 months with open heart surgery.... and that’s how I got treated.
Review: My mother’s health isn’t the best so I make all her appointments and take her to them as well. I called all over town getting information on dentures and the process. Afterall, I don’t know anything about it and from the first phone to Natural Dentures, I felt comfortable. They didnt try and sell me anything AND they answered every question I asked and even offered more. \r I ended up taking my mother there for services and I was very impressed. The entire staff treated us with respect and dignity. I expected from any business to try and be sold on the best quality dentures available and be told my mother HAS to have implants, like a few other local places told me and Natural Dentures didn’t do that. In fact, we were told, in my mother’s case, we would benefit just fine with the middle of the road quality of denture. \r We saw both Todd and Nels on different appointments and we enjoyed them both. We felt like we were visiting with friends. Many times we found ourselves looking forward to our next “”dental”” appointment!! Where else??\r The outcome is important too and it was outstanding! They held our hands along the way with explaining the process and when the dentures were finished, not only did they look beautiful, but after a few adjustment appointments, (which we were told to expect and is normal for new dentures) my mother is smiling and eating great again. It’s been over 8 months now and still very, very happy with Natural Dentures. \r Frankly, it surprises me very much at some of the other reviews because it’s such a drastic contrast to our experience and seemingly anyone else I witnessed in the waiting room.\r I would suggest go meet them yourself and make your mind up then. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Some partial dentures are made almost entirely of acrylic – but just like metal framework dentures, acrylic dentures have wire clasps that attach to any remaining natural teeth. These are generally used as a cost-effective alternative to metal-based partial dentures. They can also be used for transitional dentures when you’re expected to have additional prosthetic treatments, such as implants, in the future.
Removable dentures may be used in patients who are waiting for their permanent dental implants to be made or patients who choose removable dentures over dental implants. Removable dentures can replace as many missing teeth as needed, from all to just a few. Removal dentures tend to cost less, but they look less natural than dental implants and require special cleaning. Dr. Swift or Dr. Myers will discuss your options and help you make your best choice.
Patients may consider partial or full removable dentures to replace any missing teeth and help them eat, speak, and look better. Full or complete dentures replace all of the teeth and connective gum tissue on the upper and/or lower jaw. Partial dentures, also called a removable bridge, can be used to replace gaps in the natural teeth. Removable dentures at Dallas Laser Dentistry are made with advanced techniques by Dr. Mary Swift and Dr. Terrel Myers for a comfortable fit and to match the shade and color of the natural teeth in partial dentures. At Dallas Laser Dentistry, all restorative dentistry, like removal dentures, are made to suit the patient’s face and look natural, but dazzling.
Partial dentures take up more space in the mouth than your normal teeth. Because of this, there is an adjustment period of time where you may notice difficulty in pronouncing certain words or talking in general. As dentures get re-adjusted and re-fitted, you may notice a difference in pronunciation and will have to make minor speech adjustments again.
Note: In addition or as an alternative to commercial cleansers, dentures can be cleaned with toothpaste or soap—mild hand soap or dishwashing liquid—warm water and a soft-bristle toothbrush. However, denture wearers should never use bleach or powdered household cleansers, which can be abrasive, for cleaning their appliance as this may damage the denture.
It is important to inquire about the dentist’s training and experience when investigating the denture procedure. Although many general dentists offer the treatment, prosthodontists receive three years of advanced training in restorative dentistry. As a result they may be a better or more experienced option for you to consider when it comes to dentures or an alternative like implants or bridges. The American College of Prosthodontists offers additional resource information about the training of prosthodontists in the U.S.
The denture itself is not very good. Again, I fault this due to a low paid lab worker, who is probably texting while he makes the denture. It clearly did not fit properly, too much in one area, too little in another. I am glad that I have had a partial for years and an upper for years, as I know what can be done to alleviate the pressure points. I had to remove material in several spots on the lower edges of the denture, to keep it from bruising my gums.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- I had a great experience there, and I'd recommend them to anyone. I had 22 teeth extracted and immediate dentures placed all in the same day. The dentist there is a fireball and I really liked her. I liked all the staff really. In the morning they took the impressions and then sent me out to lunch with prescriptions to fill. A mild sedative, pain pills, and antibiotics. They told me to come back at 2 pm, take the sedative in the waiting room, and wait to be called. When I went back there, they had me take the first pain pill and then numbed me up and began the process. Wow.
For most cases, this office is well equipped and able to be of great benefit. If you have a difficult case, you may need someone with a greater level of ability. I am unfortunately unable to rate this practice very high, while mine is a delicate and difficult case, I was left to find another professional to help me complete my implant process that was started with this office.
The process of receiving your customized partial dentures is relatively easy when compared to more invasive replacement procedures that take a long time, like dental implants. The creation and fitting of your partial dentures will take a few weeks at most. We will first make impressions and molds of your remaining teeth, gums, and jaw that will help us create partial dentures that fit you perfectly.
Implant-Supported Overdentures: To increase the stability of a lower or upper denture, it's possible for it to be securely anchored using two or more dental implants. The upper jaw requires more implants (generally three or more) than the lower jaw due to a lesser bone density. Many people find this option offers a great balance of comfort, functionality and value.
Removable partial dentures start at $300 -$500, average around $700-$1,800,and can cost $2,000-$4,000 or more in gold (instead of acrylic or another metal). Partial dentures use a metal framework to hold artificial teeth in place, and can be attached to natural teeth with metal clasps or with precision attachments that are nearly invisible but require crowns on the real teeth.
At first, wearing dentures may require some getting used to in terms of talking and eating, as the dentures become “balanced” in the space formerly occupied by the teeth. But over time, the muscles, nerves and ligaments of the mouth learn to work in new ways, which allows these functions to occur normally. Dentures also help support the facial skeleton and the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks, which can help create a more youthful appearance.
Problems with dentures may arise because patients are not used to having something in their mouth that is not food. The brain senses the appliance and interprets it as 'food', sending messages to the salivary glands to produce more saliva and to secrete it at a higher rate. This usually only happens in the first 12 to 24 hours, after which the salivary glands return to their normal output. New dentures can also be the cause of sore spots as they compress the denture-bearing soft tissues (mucosa). A few denture adjustments in the days following insertion of the dentures can take care of this problem. Gagging is another problem encountered by a minority of patients. At times, this may be due to a denture that is too loose, too thick or extended too far posteriorly onto the soft palate. At times, gagging may also be attributed to psychological denial of the denture. Psychological gagging is the most difficult to treat since it is out of the dentist's control. In such cases, an implant-supported palateless denture may have to be constructed. Sometimes there could be a gingivitis infection under the completed dentures, caused by the accumulation of dental plaque. One of the most common problems for wearers of new upper complete denture is a loss of taste sensations.
