After graduating from the University of Connecticut Dental School in 2014, Dr. Secola underwent a general practice residency before relocating to Dallas. She enjoys providing high-quality dental care to all patients. Dr. Secola's residency training was at the same facility where Dr. Damon and Dr. Blankenship were residents as well. This program is through the VA hospital system and only allows for 2 residents per year.
My advice is if you're looking for a dentist to assist you in getting dentures, don't do Affordable Dentures. It's all about money not about your oral health. What bad you got your dentures and then forget you? No check up too see if you're healing properly. Actually it's my fault for my bad teeth. But when I have to make a loan for 1485.00 and have to pay back 3,300.00 just for a top denture and extractions. Least my dentist could have put forth a little more effort to look like he was doing the job I paid for.
Terrible place. Had to go back several times because the denture they made tore up my gum. This is after I filed the rough spots off the denture myself at home. They said they could not adjust it anymore and would not make one that fit properly. Now they are even lying about that. Most of the people I talked to while waiting forever also were having problems with their painful dentures made there. Go to a quality dentist even if the cost is a little more, you will save time and pain in the long run. This place doesn't take appointments so expect to waste a day.
I wasted 4 hours of my time today to be denied service I requested. Apparently the dentist is too worried about being sued (a statement she made to me about her not wanting to be sued if I changed my mind after the fact - you'd think they'd have some kind of legal waiver for patients like me) to consider the fact that I'm in extreme pain, have limited resources, have spent 30 years and tens of thousands of dollars to fix the teeth that she wants kept in my mouth and I want removed. The impact of my current condition is both physical and emotional. However, to her credit she said it was in my best interest not to get dentures and was not charged for the visit. I'm irritated that my opinion didn't count at all and was flat out denied service I wanted.
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.
I went to Affordable Dentures & Implants on 1/4/17 to get a full set of dentures. Before I went I, I had watched youtube videos to see the issues and complaints that people had about wearing dentures. I was surprised that Dr. Athari immediately addressed the same issues. The first thing he said to me was, " Dentures are not fun". I appreciated the honesty but still wanted them. So he suggested that I get dentures on the top and then wait and or save up to get implants on the bottom. This was to avoid the problem that most people have with the dentures on the bottom moving so much. I was curious about how much that would be so the administrative assistant typed up and printed out a detailed treatment plan. After she informed me that the total cost wasn't due up front, I realized that it was doable. I just got my upper dentures done today and I am really pleased. I can't wait to get my implants. Thank you Dr. Athari.
Hypochlorite cleansers have a disinfectant action and they remove non-viable organisms and other deposits from the surface, but they are not very good at eliminating calculus from the denture surface. Immersing dentures in a hypochlorite solution for more than 6 hours occasionally will eliminate plaque and heavy staining of the denture. Furthermore, as microbial invasion is prevented, the deterioration of the soft lining material does not occur.[32] Although, corrosion of cobalt chromium has occurred when hypochlorite cleansers have been used and they may also result in the fading of the acrylic and silicone lining, but the softness or elastically of the linings are not greatly changed.[35]
I began to get suspicious when they refused to pull my teeth unless I agreed to buy their most expensive package. Being in a dire financial situation I really didn't have much a choice. The most expensive package isn't what I wanted but it was still far cheaper than getting work done elsewhere. I agreed and signed the necessary paperwork. My next appointment was going to be about a week later.
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.
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!
They do not use insurance, so don't ask. It's cash or credit card up front. I paid $1,330.00 for 7 extractions, a temporary denture till I heal and a permanent denture within a year. I know first hand that going the other way with a super good dentist, would have resulted in an Oral Surgeon, a Dentist and an expensive Denture Lab. It would have cost me over $5,000 if I had gone the best way... I made an appointment for a week later, to have the teeth removed and before that I went one morning to have my form made, so the temporary denture could be ready for the extraction day... The following lines are my thoughts about the people there...
In countries where denturism is legally performed by denturists it is typically the denturist association that publishes the fee guide. In countries where it is performed by dentists, it is typically the dental association that publishes the fee guide. Some governments also provide additional coverage for the purchase of dentures by seniors.[22] Typically, only standard low-cost dentures are covered by insurance and because many individuals would prefer to have a premium cosmetic denture or a premium precision denture they rely on consumer dental patient financing options.
If cared for properly, dentures should last a minimum of 5 years. Over time, the bone shrinks and causes the denture to become loose. The rate that this happens varies with each individual, but can be controlled by visiting a dentist regularly to ensure that the denture is fitting properly. An ill-fitting denture causes the bone to shrink more rapidly. To prolong the life of a denture, a dentist will often use a denture liner to refit the internal surface of the denture to the oral tissues.
BEWARE: I have purchased the most expensive denture offered called the "Ultimate Fit Package". Upper denture only at $1200.00. This is my experience in this office. I went in for my first visit at Affordable Dentures in Shelbyville, with Dr. Marvo **, in October 2017. My upper teeth had already been extracted 2 months earlier at a local dentist office in Lewisburg. I spent a lot of time researching all of the available options online at Affordable Dentures in Shelbyville, TN., before contacting them to set up an appointment. I purposely chose the "Ultimate Fit Denture" because it was supposed to fit every contour of my mouth, the oral topography was touted as being "second-to-none" plus it comes with a 7 year warranty.
Patients are given two prescriptions and are told these have to be filled immediately or surgery will not be done. At the beginning of my visit I completed a medical history revealing a thyroid condition. The medication Dr.** prescribed came with a printed indication of potential death to those with thyroidism. The prescription is given to every patient, no matter their medical condition. This is malpractice.
Went in today for some x-rays and a cleaning and Dr Athari & the staff were great! Dr Athari did a great job & I left feeling my teeth were cleaner & healthier! Also, glad that he motivated me to start flossing more so I can maintain my healthy teeth and gums! I knew that flossing was important but did you know that increased your life by 6 years!!It helped that he was very outgoing and had a great personality, I will definitely be back and I will be referring people to come here! Very honest, very fast and efficient!!
Dr. Clark Damon has been in practice since 2011. Over the years, his practice has helped thousands to experience renewed oral health. He enjoys transforming the lives of patients with the latest in dental implant treatments. As a lecturer for Nobel Biocare, he understands the treatment rationale, science, and prognosis at a high level. Dr. Damon educates other Dentists about the Benefits of Full Arch Implant treatment on a monthly basis.
WORST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO GO TO BELIEVE ME. 1 YEAR AGO 04/09/2017 THEY PULLED 8 TEETH. That's where everything started to go south. I purchased the ultimate dentures. So first you start off with economy set. 5 plates later nothing fit, Some bizarre looking teeth. One set the mid-line was very crooked. What a joke. (It looked as I was walking sideways.) I kept hearing different excuses on why they did not fit. Some blamed my jaw bone (which is not unique). Some blamed the lab. One of the dentists said on plated number 3 before it came out of the cup, "Oh good JR made them," so of course I asked, he said "when things come out of the lab with the initials JR on them I can breathe easier." I'm thinking, "Great only 1 guy in the lab who does a good job."
Partial Dentures: Partial dentures can either be made with a plastic base or a metal framework that supports the number of teeth that need to be replaced. It is held in the mouth by using clasps and rests that are carefully adapted around the natural teeth. The partial denture that uses a metal framework is the traditional design, due to the rigidity and strength of the metal. Plastic partial dentures have normally been used as emergency or temporary replacements of missing teeth, allowing the gums and bone to heal before a definitive restorative solution is obtained. Recently, however, various materials such as Valplast have been developed to provide durable, flexible alternatives in certain situations.
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!
