Implant technology can vastly improve the patient's denture-wearing experience by increasing stability and preventing bone from wearing away. Implants can also aid retention. Instead of merely placing the implants to serve as blocking mechanism against the denture's pushing on the alveolar bone, small retentive appliances can be attached to the implants that can then snap into a modified denture base to allow for tremendously increased retention. Available options include a metal "Hader bar" or precision balls attachments.
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.
I went for a consultation and it took about 2 hours before seeing the dentist. I was taken in and a full lower x-ray was done, then the dentist came in and looked at it and we discussed my options. My teeth (only 7 left in my mouth) were so bad, that he decided I should go ahead and get a lower plate. He does not recommend a full lower, as there is always trouble with them. A full lower plate is a life changing event. You will not be able to eat any crunchy or hard foods. That's the truth. You will have to eat ground meats and soft foods the rest of your life. They will not tell you that, but I am telling you that.
Have your dentist evaluate your needs, as partial dentures are used if there are a larger number of teeth that need to be replaced and if there is a risk of more tooth loss while bridges work best for smaller gaps on the same side of your mouth. Additionally, partial dentures are easier to adjust and repair and are usually less expensive. However, partial dentures can become broken or lost while bridges remain safely fixed to your teeth.
Regardless of the type of dentures you get, it will take some time to get used to them. Don’t be surprised if it takes you a few weeks to get accustomed to the feel of your new dentures. Most people experience some level of discomfort or soreness in the beginning. If you experience pain as well, speak to your dentures dentist about what you can do to minimize the discomfort.
Later that afternoon I came back to have 16 teeth extracted. I got to the office and waited about 30 minutes before I was seen. I got to the back and began injections. After this I went to a full blown panic attack and came close to passing out. The one positive is the dentist who was working on me took it in stride. I wasn't treated disrespectfully and after about 30 minutes the panic subsided and she was able to finish my injections and begin pulling teeth.
