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.
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]
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.
You should see your dentist 24 hours after delivery of your new dentures. It is not unusual to experience some initial discomfort. Minor adjustments can increase comfort and eliminate problems before they become more serious. Initially, a new denture may feel unusual in the mouth. The cheeks, lips, and tongue are very sensitive areas that require time to adjust. It is not uncommon to bite one’s cheek or tongue while acclimating to the new restoration. However, persistent soreness or irritation should be reported to your dentist.
Dental Bridges: A dental bridge refers to a single false tooth or span of up to three prosthetic teeth that are attached to adjacent natural teeth with metal and plastic connectors or dental crowns. Bridges help to preserve some of the mouth's structural integrity by leaving as many natural teeth in place as possible. However, patients that are missing the majority of their teeth are typically not good candidates for dental bridges. Good candidates for dental bridges must have healthy gums and some healthy natural teeth that can act as anchors.
Like a bridge, partial dentures rest on surrounding teeth to fill in the gaps where one or more teeth are missing. But unlike a bridge, partial dentures are fully removable by the wearer. Partials are affordable alternatives to other types of dental prosthetics and are custom-made to blend in with each patient’s natural teeth. It takes a little time to adapt to new partials, but many people find that they reclaim much of their original function and aesthetics with partial dentures in place.
Extra care must be taken when handling dentures or partials because they are delicate and could break when dropped. It is also important to prevent dentures or partials from drying out so place them in the specified soaking solution or plain water when not in use. Avoid hot water because this will cause the denture to lose its shape. Brush dentures daily to dislodge food deposits and prevent them from becoming stained.
Christopher Athari, DMD, FICOI, FAAIP, is a general dentist and is the practice owner of this Affordable Dentures & Implants-affiliated practice in Mesa, AZ. Dr. Athari and his staff look forward to fulfilling the denture and dental implant needs of patients who travel from Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Maricopa, Sun Lakes, Apache Junction, Fountain Hills, Florence, Superior and surrounding communities.
I hate my dentures!!! I paid over $2000 for the ultimate denture, at the wax try in everything was fine. I had no problem with the dentures and I was told the gum on the denture would be a little dark as the wax was a bright pink color. I picked my permanent denture up a week later and the gums on the denture are black! I don't know if they feel all black people have black gums however, my real gums are not dark to start with. I asked what the cost would be to get the gums on the denture lightened and I was told they would have to be re-made. I paid over $2000 and now it sounds like the only way to get the dentures done right I would have to purchase a new pair. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING! I cannot believe I recommended this place to people. I feel like I flushed $2000 down the toilet! I am currently wearing my immediate dentures (cheap economy dentures) I received after surgery and they look better than my permanent dentures (expensive ultimate dentures). My advise to everyone is to not sign anything until you know for certain what the end result is. They only focus on how short or long you want the teeth, no one says anything about how the gums attached to the teeth are going to look. I feel if you pay that kind of money they should be done right!
It’s time to discover metal-free partial dentures! While there are other metal-free partial dentures out there, called flexibles, they tend to be flimsy and lack support. Ultaire™ AKP is a different option, a high-performance polymer that is designed specifically as a metal replacement for partial dentures — with the strength and durability required to give you a comfortable and functional partial denture. Hear what dentists say about Ultaire™ AKP metal-free partial dentures.
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.
They deserve ten stars. Took my elderly blind neighbor to Bright Now dental and waited over an hour and a half past our appt time. Was so angry we walked out and didn't know what to do so we found Dental Works in the same mall. We had no appt but they fit us right in. They were wonderful. Had to have 12 teeth pulled and now onto dentures. All the women that work there are very friendly and caring. Dr Chi was great and very gentle on a poor lady who was scared to death. Would highly recommend them and their price was the best too!!!!! More
No consensus has been reached regarding the best occlusal scheme for making complete dentures. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review was to compare bilateral balanced occlusion (BBO) with other occlusal schemes (canine guidance, lingualised occlusion and zero degree) in complete dentures. The schemes were compared in terms of quality of life/satisfaction and masticatory performance. Two independent reviewers performed a comprehensive search of studies published in or before October 2017 using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases. The search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The focused question was: "In conventional complete denture, is BBO better than lingualised occlusion, canine guidance and zero degree in terms of quality of life, patient satisfaction and masticatory performance/muscle activity?" Seventeen studies were selected for analysis. In total, there were 492 patients with a mean age of 64.78 years and a mean follow-up duration of 2.96 months (range: 1-6 months). All studies compared BBO with the other occlusal schemes. Eleven studies evaluated the influence of the occlusal scheme designs on quality of life and satisfaction, and 8 studies evaluated masticatory performance and muscle activity between BBO and the other occlusion schemes. The present systematic review indicated that BBO does not confer better quality of life/satisfaction or masticatory performance and muscle activity. Thus, lingualised occlusion can be considered a predictable occlusal scheme for complete dentures in terms of quality of life/satisfaction and masticatory performance, while canine guidance can be used to reduce muscular activity.
No consensus has been reached regarding the best occlusal scheme for making complete dentures. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review was to compare bilateral balanced occlusion (BBO) with other occlusal schemes (canine guidance, lingualised occlusion and zero degree) in complete dentures. The schemes were compared in terms of quality of life/satisfaction and masticatory performance. Two independent reviewers performed a comprehensive search of studies published in or before October 2017 using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases. The search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The focused question was: "In conventional complete denture, is BBO better than lingualised occlusion, canine guidance and zero degree in terms of quality of life, patient satisfaction and masticatory performance/muscle activity?" Seventeen studies were selected for analysis. In total, there were 492 patients with a mean age of 64.78 years and a mean follow-up duration of 2.96 months (range: 1-6 months). All studies compared BBO with the other occlusal schemes. Eleven studies evaluated the influence of the occlusal scheme designs on quality of life and satisfaction, and 8 studies evaluated masticatory performance and muscle activity between BBO and the other occlusion schemes. The present systematic review indicated that BBO does not confer better quality of life/satisfaction or masticatory performance and muscle activity. Thus, lingualised occlusion can be considered a predictable occlusal scheme for complete dentures in terms of quality of life/satisfaction and masticatory performance, while canine guidance can be used to reduce muscular activity.
Getting dentures can be an intimidating process. The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) answers the most popular questions regarding denture costs. Read more about denture adhesives here.How much do dentures cost?Answer: That is a really good question that has a range of answers. The cost of dentures is dependent upon the conditions within your mouth, the types of materials being used, the techniques used by the dentist or prosthodontist, as well as the location and general operating costs of the dental office. Denture care is an ongoing service to maintain a healthy mouth. What many patients don't realize is that there is a service aspect connected to complete denture care, which includes modification of dentures over time to eliminate "sore spots" or to improve how the teeth fit for chewing, and correcting the look of or adjusting the dentures to make them more comfortable and stable. The conditions of your mouth make your treatment easier or harder and therefore may result in different costs. If cost is your primary concern, you might want to locate a dental school in your community for treatment. Keep in mind, low-cost treatment is of limited value if you have to have the treatment done over again in a short time. To locate a prosthodontist near you,visit www.gotoapro.org. Read more about denture adhesive creams here. Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists. Back to top
Getting dentures can take several appointments over the course of a few weeks. The dentist will take impressions of your jaw and take measurements to help create a try-on model. It may take several try-on models before the correct fit, shape, and color and perfected. Finally, the dentures will be made and fitted. Dr. Swift or Dr. Myers will make any minor adjustments to help the patient feel more comfortable with their new dentures.
Remember when I mentioned the people up front being incompetent? The worst part is that they botched the paperwork with my insurance company and now I owe Affordable Dentures 700 bucks (which I really don't have). I implore anyone who is thinking about Affordable Dentures to listen to what I am saying. If possible save your money and wait. Or perhaps see if you have a family member who can help you pay to get the work done at a reputable dentist.
I have also had three teeth crack and break because of the uneven pressure exerted on them. I went along thinking this was just my destiny and the results of getting older until I recently had another tooth pulled and a real dentist evaluated my partials and explained this all to me. I am having a new set made next week by real professionals and throwing away the junk Affordable Dentures made for me. And by the way, I have never been treated so rudely in such a condescending manner as I was. Don't be stupid, naive, and complacent like I was. Go to a real dentist and get real dentures even if you have to work out a payment plan.
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.
Removable partial dentures. Although these don't require grinding down adjacent teeth, they are not nearly as stable or comfortable as dental implants and can affect speech and eating. This type of restoration is less expensive but doesn’t look as natural or function as well as an implant-supported crowns. The bone underneath a removable partial denture may deteriorate over time, changing the appearance of your smile and face.
Canker sores are a common complaint, and are small ulcers on the inside of the mouth. Canker sores aren't contagious (as opposed to cold sores), and typically last for 10-14 days usually healing without scarring. A variety of things cause canker sores, for example, medications (aspirin, beta-blockers, NSAIDs, high blood pressure medication, and antibiotics); injury to the mouth from dental work, braces, or sports accidents; acidic foods; allergies; and diseases or conditions like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and lupus. Canker sores can be cure with home remedies, and prescription and OTC topical and oral medication.
Daily cleaning of dentures is recommended. Plaque and tartar can build up on false teeth, just as they do on natural teeth.[24] Cleaning can be done using chemical or mechanical denture cleaners. Dentures should not be worn continuously, but rather left out of the mouth during sleep.[25] This is to give the tissues a chance to recover, and wearing dentures at night is likened to sleeping in shoes. The main risk is development of fungal infection, especially denture-related stomatitis. Dentures should also be removed while smoking, as the heat can damage the denture acrylic and overheated acrylic can burn the soft tissues.
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.
Once the numbness wore off I could not open my mouth fully for days. It took a full week before I was out of severe pain. It honestly felt like she had broken my jaw. I decided to tough it out as I have a phobia of dentists. Once the severe pain was over my jaw was sore for the next two months. I'm fairly certain that isn't the norm for routine extractions.
67K hospital bill later ( 2 yrs later now over 80K in medical,they could install her dentures for 15 months , (blood clots got her so weak and run down , nothing would heal, implants finally were strong enough at 16 months , they said, and installed them , but she hadn't eaten solid food for 15 months, now so weak and thin the implants don't fit, they want another few hundred to adjust them, 22months later and still don't fit,she now is anorexic going 2 yrs withouut eating lost almost 40 # is down to 80+ , PS no insurance self pay up front,so because of a tooth ache 100K gone
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.
Two to six dental implants that support a removable denture plate can cost $3,500-$30,000 or more depending on the number and type of implants (mini-implants are less expensive), denture materials (in some cases an existing denture plate can be adapted for use with implants) and any other procedures needed. A full set (upper and lower) of implants and dentures can cost $7,000-$90,000 or more.
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.
Medically, the consequences of not replacing missing teeth include unwanted and unhealthy nutritional changes. There are also potential risks of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression, and an increase in the likelihood of developing cancer. These are all prominent health risks that are avoidable by providing a dental structure with partial dentures or another quality tooth replacement option.
In cases where teeth need to be removed, an immediate denture is typically placed to enable proper healing of the extraction sites and serve as an esthetic replacement for natural teeth. This can be easily modified for changing ridge contours during healing until final dentures can be made. In constructing the immediate dentures, dentists will use a shade and mold chart to choose replacement teeth that will most closely match your natural teeth, minimizing any changes in appearance.
Over a period of time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear. Rebasing means making a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see your dentist annually for a checkup.
