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.
A mid-priced (and better quality) heat cured denture typically costs $500–$1,500 per denture or $1,000-$3,000 for a complete set. The teeth look much more natural and are much longer lasting than cold cured or temporary dentures. In many cases, they may be tried out before they are finished to ensure that all the teeth occlude (meet) properly and look esthetically pleasing. These usually come with a 90-day to two-year warranty and in some cases a money-back guarantee if the customer is not satisfied. In some cases, the cost of subsequent adjustments to the dentures is included.
The fabrication of a set of complete dentures is a challenge for any dentist/denturist. There are many axioms in the production of dentures that must be understood; ignorance of one axiom can lead to failure of the denture. In the vast majority of cases, complete dentures should be comfortable soon after insertion, although almost always at least two adjustment visits are necessary to remove the cause of sore spots. One of the most critical aspects of dentures is that the impression of the denture must be perfectly made and used with perfect technique to make an accurate model of the patient's edentulous (toothless) gums. The dentist or denturist must use a process called border molding to ensure that the denture flanges are properly extended. An array of problems may occur if the final impression of the denture is not made properly. It takes considerable patience and experience for a dentist to know how to make a denture, and for this reason it may be in the patient's best interest to seek a specialist, either a prosthodontist or denturist, to make the denture. A denturist is a trained and licensed professional who sees patients in need of dentures, partials, relines or repairs. A denturist not only takes the impression, but makes the entire denture in his or her own laboratory. The denturist then schedules a date for the delivery of the finished dentures to the patient. A general dentist may do a good job making dentures, but only if he or she is meticulous and experienced. Many dentists no longer make dentures themselves. but instead take an impression of the patients' mouth and then either send the impressions to a dental laboratory, which could be anywhere in the world, or send the patient to a denturist. Once the laboratory receives dental impressions of the patient's mouth, the laboratory creates plaster molds from them. The laboratory uses the molds to create the wax rims used to register the patient's bite. These wax rims are returned to the dentist, who uses them to register the patient's bite. The dentist may assist the patient in choosing the correct size of teeth for the dentures, or simply make the selection himself. Once bite registration is completed and the teeth are selected for the dentures, the wax rim is usually returned to the dental laboratory in order to have the denture teeth set into the wax. Once the teeth are set into the wax rim, the result is a prefinished denture that looks almost like the finished product. This prefinished denture is usually returned to the dentist's office and the patient usually has a chance to approve the setup (for immediate or standard dentures) or to try the denture before it is finished. After approval by the patient, the dentist returns the pre-denture to the laboratory for final processing. The finished denture is then returned to the dentist's office for delivery to the patient.
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.
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.
This is long,but I writting this to hopefully save someone else from going through this,self pay people are at the mercy of blood sucking dentist.Well,I carefully compared several NC Affordable Dentures,I read reviews from many sources.The one near me is pretty bad,went many years ago and the currant reviews are down right scary,couple with a serious fear of dentist,did not want to put myself through that again. Soooo the search was on,after being quoted 632.00$??? at DentalWorks!! Who the he'll can afford that out of pocket,so after reading the reviews for this location I called asked questions,asked what I needed to bring along with time to be there.Then I read website to make sure everything was a go.Had x-rays sent over along with bringing a copy myself incase something went wrong.Website&Receptionist both confirmed needing to arrive by 7:30am.Okay,I cancelled one of my accounts (means I lost money),woke up at 4:30am then drove hour n half to A.D. Apex Highway Location.Stood in line,filled out forms,handed over X-Rays,took a seat.After watching people come in at 10 am be seen before me,denture customers get teeth pulled come back sit down in lobby again,then be called back for fittings or whatever of course started to get anxious.I just needed one extraction.There was a very loud girl there who had to have one tooth pulled as well.At the four hour mark,she asked them what was going on.Receptionist tells her denture people should all be done being treated by 3pm.So she may or may not be treated sooner.What?????Been waiting 4hours,drove almost two to get there with less then 5 hours sleep to make sure I'd be on time and it's going to be another 4hour wait??? and then that's not guaranteed.So I asked receptionist if this was the case,told her my issue,she just looked at me blankly"yep"..This information is no where on website,I told her on phone what I needed asked if there was anything I needed to know.She even said for treatments had to be there at 7:30am.NO WHERE DOES IT STATE JUST EXTRACTIONS WILL BE DONE AFTER EVERYTHING ELSE.The whole ordeal was just inexcusable.I got my x-rays and left,I am now sitting with a abscessed tooth waiting to make an appointment on Monday at one of them blood sucking offices,got small loan because the price of extractions is inexcusable too.You know what though,I Will expect it,I will also be treated better,will not automatically assume I have no other options but them so they can treat me however an if they mess up oh well.How would these ppl like to be treated this way,this issue may sound insufficient but the fact is I lost a day of my personal time along with a days work and still need to see a dentist because of thier mistake not mine. You slap the word affordable on a business,make em line up,play by your rules or else,because you know they cannot afford it anywhere else,its borderline cruel.I'm positive there has got to be a hundred other poor souls that will go through something similar to me,I if I can help one person avoid it,good!!..
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.
When dentures no longer fit well, the correct action is to seek follow-up care. Denture adhesive is recommended for dentures, even well fitting ones. Adhesives improve retention, seal the borders to prevent food from slipping under, and cusion the soft tissues from the rigid acrylic. Using denture adhesive may improve the fit, but it tends to work best when only a small amount is used. Covering the entire denture fitting surface in adhesive makes it stay in less well. Adhesives may compensate for gradual loosening of a denture, but it is only a temporary solution; it does not solve the problem. Fortunately, dentures can often be relined with relining materials to improve the fit, and this process costs less than creation of new dentures. Overall, a well-made denture could last about 5 years (or more), but this is different for every patient.
Denture adhesive is a paste or glue that helps the denture adhere to the supporting tissues instead of relying on suction or clasps. Sometimes the adhesive is called denture cream. A small amount of denture adhesive can be applied evenly to the clean surface of a denture to enhance stability and retention. It shouldn't be used to compensate for a poor-fitting denture or as an alternative to visiting the dentist for regular checkups.
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.
Implants: An implant is a metal post that is inserted into the bone of the upper or lower jaw. This post is then used to replace a single tooth by attaching a crown to it, or multiple teeth by attaching a bridge to multiple implants. Implants are the most expensive option for tooth replacement, but implants simulate natural teeth better than any of the other options.
Having a complete set of bright and well-aligned teeth can give you a beautiful smile. When a person loses his or her teeth to disease, injury, accidents or age, the gaps in the smile are usually enough reasons to warrant a dental solution. Of course, the reasons for treating missing teeth goes beyond aesthetic reasons and extends into the realms of health, such as personal well-being and simply feeling good about oneself.
In addition to health risks, not receiving partial dentures when you need them can lead to a lack of confidence. Many people become ashamed of their smiles once they lose teeth, and they never want to laugh or express joy or happiness. When you smile, you appear friendlier, more confident, and more successful. You can gain back your healthy self-esteem by visiting to receive realistic-looking dentures that look natural and will feel natural with time, too.
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.Where to Get Dentures in Houston, TX
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