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.
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.
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.
The Premium Denture is very high in natural appearance. It features enhanced natural appeal, wear and stain resistance, with detailed customization. As with the UltimateFit and EconomyPlus Dentures, the Premium’s extra-high density teeth are first set in wax for you to try in. Changes may be made at that time. After you have approved the look of your Premium Denture, the lab will custom finish your denture in the permanent acrylic base material. This additional customization results in a more natural look.Affordable Dentures in Houston, TX
The safe, healthy choice is to not sleep with your partial denture in place. Sleeping with partial dentures is not recommended for a number of reasons. Partial dentures are designed to be cleaned outside the mouth – which also provides the opportunity to ensure no food particles are lodged under or around the partial. Proper oral care and keeping you partial denture clean is vital for the overall health of your gums. From a physical standpoint, your gums will benefit from the opportunity to rest and recover. Also, some patients may clench their teeth in their sleep. This pressure can cause damage to both natural teeth as well as dentures.
Deposits such as microbial plaque, calculus and food debris can accumulate on the dentures, which may lead to issues such as angular stomatitis, denture stomatitis, undesirable odours and tastes as well as staining. The deposits can also quicken the rate at which some of the denture materials wear down.[26] Due to the presence of these deposits, there is an increased risk of the denture wearer and other people around them developing a systemic disease by organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),[27] but research shows that denture cleaners are effective against MRSA.[28][29][30] Therefore, denture cleaning is imperative for the overall health of the denture wearers as well as for the health of people they come into contact with.[31]
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.
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).
well it's been over a year now. and iam still a very happy smiling!! patient of dr. atari. affordable dentures & implants. i have refferd several people. each person that has gone can't thank aaffordable dentures/implants or dr .atari and the wonderful staff !!!enough. and me too. for recommending , referring ,them. the best and great for your wallet as well..should be 10 stars !and the ladys at the front are also 10 stars! without them what would they do ? we do ???? thank you again. so much for my beautiful beautiful smile and giving me the ability to smile big and beautiful again.. sincerely toni barajas.
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.
If you are considering dentures as a solution to missing teeth, the first step is to consult your dentist to determine the type of dentures you need and how much they will cost. Next, you may wish to ask your dentist what financing options he or she offers. In addition to offering financing plans specific to his or her office, your dentist may be affiliated with Compassionate Finance®. Compassionate Finance® operates much like a credit card. Once your application is approved, you may receive a credit line to help pay for the cost of your dental treatment. A Compassionate Finance® card offers you the freedom to select the type of dentures that suit your individual needs, and you don't have to feel restricted by what your insurance plan does and does not cover. Visit the Compassionate Finance® form or your dentist's office to learn more about Compassionate Finance® or to fill out an application.
My mom got the xxxxxx xxx xxxx denture, a full set, about 4 years ago. They were less than half the price of regular dentures and are the most comfortable she ever wore. they still look great and she can eat most foods. They talk about economy dentures being bad but these are great. They fit better than any of her others and were done in 1 visit. we are thrilled
Deposits such as microbial plaque, calculus and food debris can accumulate on the dentures, which may lead to issues such as angular stomatitis, denture stomatitis, undesirable odours and tastes as well as staining. The deposits can also quicken the rate at which some of the denture materials wear down.[26] Due to the presence of these deposits, there is an increased risk of the denture wearer and other people around them developing a systemic disease by organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),[27] but research shows that denture cleaners are effective against MRSA.[28][29][30] Therefore, denture cleaning is imperative for the overall health of the denture wearers as well as for the health of people they come into contact with.[31]
If you’ve had a metal RPD, you know how cumbersome and heavy they can be. Dentists often see them damage remaining teeth and injure the inside of the mouth. Ultaire™ AKP partial dentures are 60% lighter than metal frames! The polymer was formulated to be lightweight as well as strong, similar to polymers used in hip implants. This creates partial dentures that are comfortable, durable and biocompatible, meaning they are safe to have in your body. Unlike metal, Ultaire™ AKP is non-toxic, non-irritating and nickel-free.
Dental Implants: Implants are similar to dentures, in that they are prosthetic restorations used to replace natural teeth. However, dental implants are actually attached to the jaw. Six months before the implant restoration (false tooth) can be placed in the patient's mouth, a metal anchor is permanently implanted into the jawbone. After the jawbone has grown around the anchor (a period known as osseointegration), the implant restoration can be attached to it.
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.
When you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth may tilt or drift into the empty space. The teeth in the other jaw may also shift up or down toward the space. This can affect your bite and place more stress on your teeth and jaws. You may find it harder to clean teeth that have shifted, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. That is why it is important to replace missing teeth.
Dr. Okunuga’s dental center has an on-site dental lab that fabricates new dentures and provides repairs and relines, often with same-day service. Being able to provide dentures in a day is a significant advantage, especially for patients who have traveled far distances. The on-site lab also eliminates the need to use outside commercial labs, which helps keep our fees low.
Dentures are mainly made from acrylic due to the ease of material manipulation and likeness to intra-oral tissues, ie. gums. Most dentures made are fabricated from heat-cured acrylic polymethyl methacrylate and rubber-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate.[3] Coloring agents and synthetic fibers are added to obtain the tissue-like shade, and to mimic the small capillaries of the oral mucosa, respectively.[4] However, dentures made from acrylic can be fragile and fracture easily if the patient has trouble adapting neuromuscular control. This can be overcome by reinforcing the denture base with cobalt chromium (Co-Cr). They are often thinner (therefore more comfortable) and stronger (to prevent repeating fractures).
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.
Should I Get Dental Implants?According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, statistics show that nearly 70% of adults aged 35 to 44 years in the United States have at least one missing tooth due to an accident, tooth decay, gum disease, or dental fractures.Dental Implants or Dentures?But there’s no need to go through life with missing teeth. These days, many good alternatives are available. Dental implants and dentures are the most common options. Dentures are false teeth, and although their quality has improved, they’re not ideal for everyone. If not secured with denture adhesive, dentures might slip out of place while eating or speaking, which could be embarrassing, and partial dentures might promote infection and decay in other teeth if they aren’t fitted properly, which may increase the risk that you would need a tooth filling on the abutment (adjoining) tooth. That said, dentures may be the best choice for people whose gums and jaw are weak or unhealthy.Should I Get Dental Implants?If you are missing teeth and your gums and jaw are healthy, you may benefit from dental implants, which are replacement teeth that are implanted surgically into the jawbone. With good oral hygiene, dental implants can last for 20 years or more without the need for replacement. Dental implants are often a popular choice for people who have only one or two teeth missing, but they can be an alternative to dentures if you have several missing teeth. As long as your gums and jaw are healthy, two or more implants can serve as a base of support for several replacement teeth.
Dr. Atari at affordable dentures made me feel so comfortable and I have a horrible fear of dentist… Dr. Atari at affordable dentures made me feel so comfortable and I have a horrible fear of dentist with him there was none I felt no embarrassment do to my terrible teeth he made a temporary plate for me until I get my new one I hadn't smiled in two years I even stopped going to church and now I can go back he gave my life back to me whether he knows it or not he did and I'm crying right now while I'm posting this you are one awesome man and I love you for giving my life back to me I thank God for you for giving you the talents that you have I know there's more work to be done and that you will do the best that you can because to me you are the best and anyone that's reading this and needs help should go to doctor Christopher Atari I thank him from the bottom of my heart I recommend affordable dentures to everyone sincerely Toni Barajas Read more
