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.
Sometimes, a Dallas dentist is not fully capable of dealing with the specialized needs of certain clients. That is where Dallas Dentures & Implants can help. We are a professional and courteous clinic that provides all types of prosthetic and aesthetic dental improvement. We specialize in this sort of work and are able to offer services from doctors who are experts in their field at a reasonable prices.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA -- I read the hundreds of negative reviews. I knew the risks and still went anyway. Why? The simple truth is I was broke like I imagine most people who use Affordable Dentures are. The total cost to save my teeth was looking to be upwards of 10,000 dollars. I wanted my teeth pulled and Affordable Dentures was my only option due to financial issues.
Fixed bridges are another tooth replacement option that are typically more durable and a more permanent solution than denture arches. A bridge spans the length of at least three teeth to replace a missing tooth or teeth in between. Bridges are cheaper than dental implants but do not offer all the same benefits when compared to replacing a missing tooth with an implant.
Dentures that fit well during the first few years after creation will not necessarily fit well for the rest of the wearer's lifetime. This is because the bone and mucosa of the mouth are living tissues, which are dynamic over decades. Bone remodeling never stops in living bone. Edentulous jaw ridges tend to resorb progressively over the years, especially the alveolar ridge of the lower jaw. Mucosa reacts to being chronically rubbed by the dentures. Poorly fitting dentures hasten both of those processes compared to the rates with well-fitting dentures. Poor fitting dentures may also lead to the development of conditions such as epulis fissuratum. In addition, the occlusion (chewing surfaces of the teeth) tends to wear away over time, which reduces chewing efficacy and decreases the vertical dimension of occlusion, (the "open-ness" of the jaws and mouth).
George Washington (1732–1799) suffered from problems with his teeth throughout his life, and historians have tracked his experiences in great detail.[14] He lost his first adult tooth when he was twenty-two and had only one left by the time he became president.[15] John Adams says he lost them because he used them to crack Brazil nuts but modern historians suggest the mercury oxide, which he was given to treat illnesses such as smallpox and malaria, probably contributed to the loss. He had several sets of false teeth made, four of them by a dentist named John Greenwood. None of the sets, contrary to popular belief, was made from wood or contained any wood.[16] The set made when he became president was carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory, held together with gold springs.[17] Prior to these, he had a set made with real human teeth,[18] likely ones he purchased from "several unnamed Negroes, presumably Mount Vernon slaves" in 1784.[19] Washington's dental problems left him in constant pain, for which he took laudanum.[20] This distress may be apparent in many of the portraits painted while he was still in office,[20] including the one still used on the $1 bill.[21][a]
When are Dentures Necessary?What are Temporary Partial Dentures?If you’ve had teeth removed due to decay or gum disease and will be receiving permanent dentures, your dentist may suggest temporary or “immediate” dentures. These are dentures you can wear for the first two to three months immediately after tooth removal. They can be especially helpful for someone with a history of sensitive teeth and gums, since the patient does not have to be without teeth while the area heals, and any remaining sensitive teeth are subject to less pressure from chewing food.The creation of temporary dentures may require four to five dental visits prior to tooth extraction. Temporary dentures are made using basically the same technique as a permanent denture, but because they are made in advance of any surgery, you can’t tell exactly how your mouth will look after teeth are removed. By contrast, the molds for conventional dentures are made once the gum tissues have healed following any tooth extractions, which takes about six to eight weeks. During this time, the gum tissues will shrink and so the fit of temporary dentures will change.Temporary Dentures CostThere is an added cost associated with immediate dentures, but when you’re trying to determine what dentures cost and how to pay for them, remember that you have several options.Most dentists take major credit cards and some offer financing plans that let patients pay for major procedures, such as tooth removal and dentures, over time with low monthly payments. Ask your dentist about financing. Also, if you know in advance that you want to get dentures, you may be able to set aside money in a flexible spending account or health care savings account to help cover the cost of dentures.Immediate dentures cost more than conventional dentures because more time goes into preparing them. There are several advantages that may make them worth the cost. The main advantage of immediate dentures is that you don’t have to go out in public without teeth following tooth removal. An immediate denture is placed at the same visit as your tooth removal, so they serve as a bandage to control bleeding and protect gum tissue. Also, if you have immediate dentures you can start adjusting your speech to wearing the denture immediately.Not everyone is a good candidate for immediate dentures. Cost can be a prohibiting factor, or your dentist may advise against immediate dentures depending on your general health and oral health.What are Permanent Dentures?Dentists will work with you to preserve your natural teeth if at all possible, rather than extract them, but sometimes permanent dentures are the only way to provide the appearance of teeth and facilitate eating and speaking.Permanent Dentures ProcedureGetting permanent, full dentures takes about three to six weeks. The denture-making process involves several dental appointments and follows these steps:Impressions: Your dentist takes several impressions of your jaw and measures the space in your mouth.Models: Your dentist makes a mold of wax or plastic in the exact shape of the denture so you can try it and make any adjustments to the color, shape, and fit before the permanent dentures are made.Cast: The final dentures are cast, and then adjusted as necessary.When you first receive your permanent dentures, your dentist may recommend that you wear them 24 hours a day, even while sleeping, because this is the easiest and quickest way to determine whether there are any spots that need adjustment. It’s important to ensure a good fit right away, because poorly fitting dentures can be irritating to the gums.Once you have adjusted to the dentures, you can remove them at night to allow normal stimulation of the gum tissues by the tongue and saliva, which helps keep your gum tissue healthy.Temporary Dentures vs. Permanent Dentures Pros and ConsOne main disadvantage of temporary dentures is that, because they’re made in advance and placed as soon as the damaged or decayed teeth are removed, the fit will not be exact. So they may require more frequent adjustments to get a good fit. Consequently, they should only be considered a temporary solution until the permanent dentures are ready.You may find that both temporary and permanent dentures take some getting used to. Don’t worry if the dentures feel loose at first—your cheek and tongue muscles will need to adjust to them. And don’t worry if you notice more saliva in your mouth than usual, or if you notice minor soreness or irritation. These problems usually resolve on their own. But if you experience major discomfort that doesn’t seem to improve, see your dentist to have the dentures adjusted.You may also opt to have your temporary dentures realigned for a better fit so you can use them as permanent dentures. Or, you can keep them as a spare set so you won’t find yourself without teeth if your permanent dentures should get lost or become damaged. If your dentures need repair or realignment, they will have to be sent to a laboratory and probably kept overnight.When are Dentures Necessary?Not everyone needs a full set of permanent dentures. A dental bridge fills a gap created by one or more missing teeth. Removable partial dentures are another option for replacing missing teeth. There are several reasons to consider removable partial dentures. Not only can partial dentures improve your appearance, they can improve your oral health by keeping your remaining teeth in place. If you opt for a dental bridge, your dentist will fit customized crowns to the teeth on either side of the gap to be bridged. A false tooth (or teeth) called a pontic is attached to the crowns and replaces your missing tooth (or teeth).Depending on your oral health care needs, you can choose partial dentures that are removable, but bridges are permanently cemented into place. There are three main types of bridges to suit a variety of dental restoration situations:Traditional: This style involves placing crowns on the teeth that border the missing teeth.Cantilever: This style is used if you only have teeth on one side of the missing tooth or teeth.Maryland bonded: This type of bridge consists of a porcelain tooth (or teeth) in a metal framework, with wings to attach it to existing teeth.Keeping the surrounding, supporting teeth healthy is essential to get the maximum benefit from a dental bridge, so be sure to follow a regular oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If you practice good oral hygiene and see a dentist regularly, partial dentures can last from 5 to 15 years.
Extractions were the main cost saver ($30 each) but you have to pay for the dentures first ($500). Don't think they would have accepted me if I only wanted extractions. TOOK 5 MONTHS and 6 or 7 visits to get these "immediate" dentures. Look good out of my mouth but when I smile u see all the bottom teeth and hardly any top ones. LOTS of overbite make biting PB&J sandwich impossible.
Needless to say that I am going to a different dentist. A man who has been in this community for a long time and has a spotless office with people who treat their patients with respect. Charges more, but worth it to be treated right. I have gone to Affordable Dentures for a while because of the pricing but every time I went, new doctor, new office people, but these people at my last time there, they are really nasty. I am also going to contact the board of health because while I was sitting in the dental chair I looked up at the light and it was filthy, nasty with what looked like old spit or blood or whatever it was. It was not clean in my opinion.
While dentures boast a long history of successful use, modern technology offers better options to enhance the way they fit and the way you look. In many cases, dentures can be secured more firmly to your jaw with the use of dental implants, placed in the jaw and connected under the base of the denture. This connection can be designed to create permanent fixation of the denture or to allow for its removal at times. In addition to having greater retention and a more natural look, implant-supported dentures tend to last longer. Dr. Yonan, Scott,Bushnell, Fairbanks & Quigley can discuss these options and help you understand the ways they can improve your experience with dentures.
The different types of complete dentures include Conventional, Immediate and Implant-retained. Conventional Dentures which are applied after the teeth are extracted and the gums are allowed to heal – takes around 8-12 weeks. Prior to the fitting of the Conventional Dentures and the interim healing period, the dentist would normally place a pre-fabricated Immediate Denture over the gums to protect the area while the patient waits for the Full Denture to be made at a dental lab.
Tooth extraction and restoration: If tooth decay or gum disease is so severe that a tooth can't be saved, it will need to be extracted. Your dentist will examine the remaining teeth in your mouth and determine if they should be removed or restored with tooth-colored fillings, inlays, onlays, or dental crowns. After the teeth have been extracted, the gums need at least two to three months to heal before an implant can be placed or an impression taken.
Only his assistant - she did his job great. But I didn't pay her. I paid him. He nonchalantly walked down the hall not even stopping to take a look at my jawline that's showing. I love my immediate dentures. But the money I paid. I think I should have a decent dentist that is interested in helping his patient with care. My Medicaid dentist treats me better and he doesn't get paid so much.
When I arrived for my appointment, they said I did not have an appointment and they had no fax from a doctor. They did tell me that they would fit me in but later they acted as though I was telling them a lie, or that I called a different office which according to my cellphone, I had the correct place. The dentist talked to me like I was dirt. I was just trying to tell him that I had this conversation with the lady at that office and then I heard the woman's voice and recognized it as the lady that I spoke with on the phone. I did point at her and say that it was her that I had talked to and she yelled at me not to point at her.
I can't began to explain in a few words how wonderful my experience has been; Dr. Dear Searby is truly a God sent dentist for people he is not there just for the money he truly care about the patient. His work is excellent and it didn't take several trips to get what I needed done. This is the first time I have found a dentist that does not try to take advantage of the patient or the patient insurance. Exceptional. The staff here are just as caring and informative this is a great dentist office and I would recommend all people to go here and put some of these money grabbing dentist office out of practice because they don't care about the patient. I have gone to one who claim has all of this fancy technology and the only thing he wanted to do was charged my insurance and for me to take out a loan and the service was horrible I felt like they we're chocking me to death literally. Again I highly recommend Dr. Searby. Thank you
