To present as much possible detail, this is a lengthy review of an experience that, after 1-1/2 years, has yet to come to an end. It echos as well the experiences others have had with DDS offices.
DDS Checotah, OK. IS NOT where you want to go for dentures made with quality materials and pride, that properly fit and function. They are in the assembly line-one size fits all-money making business. They lack candor, honor and integrity. DDS reminds me of hamburger commercials; what you see advertised on television is not what you get in your bag. My 3d appntmt I was told by their non-dentist office manager, Morris, "Take what we give you or leave them here, it's your choice, but we will not remake your dentures." He was told of the over filled, improperly positioned molding trays producing non-uniform, crooked/off-set teeth, ill fitted dentures that continue to cause mouth and jaw hinge damage and though 'glued in' come loose and out of mouth. Dentist Summerlin verified the ill fit, said to add extra soft liner material, that does nothing to correct mis-aligned fit, and coat dentures with more adhesive. 4 minutes following 'the fix' when attempting to speak as I left the office, the top plate came loose, fell out onto the floor and broke; DDS refused to replace the broken plate.
If you are so blessed as to not need plate 'adjustment' trips, dentures require a minimum of 4 visits. Bring a book.
Note. A result of prolonged undertreated Hypothyroidism, my teeth had to be [in hospital] surgically removed due to loosening. Gums were left to heal 3 months before going to DDS. Your first visit to DDS lasts 9 hours (7am. to 4pm.) of which 7-1/2 hours is spent sitting in waiting room.
Mandatory requirements must be met prior to the start of denture work. 1st, you must listen to sales pitch from a dentist attempting to talk you into buying implants, telling you (amoung other negatives) that dentures alone are not made to fit, nor allow for biting, chewing, clear speech without implants as they will rock and move even though adhesives are used in attempt to hold plates in place and from falling out of your mouth. Implants, called posts, are purchased in pairs; the cost for two-$7,000.00/$10,000.00 for the recommended four-that's for one plate only, (DDS commercials are grossly deceptive and misleading).
2d, if you declined implants, it is manditory you watch a video of the DDS president's implant sales pitch, again telling you all the negatives of trying to wear and use their dentures, how your quality of life, public and social activities will be considerably reduced without implants. At video's end it is mandatory you sign a form stating you viewed and understood the video content. No comply-No dentures. Had I not have to go through the Choctaw Nation, who contract with this DDS, to assist in obtaining my dentures, I would have left at this point, before my ongoing nightmare began, expenses incurred and $1045.00 cost of unuseable dentures was wasted and made to suffer from irreversible damages, pain & life threatening health issues DDS has caused me.
NOTE. Read DDS fine print. They do not require their dentists to have the education nor training to drill holes through your gums into your jaw bones and implant posts. Neither does DDS require their other personnel, such as technicians, to have any dental schooling nor experience to be an OJT employed self-starter.
A lady I attend church with told me of her neighbor who gave into getting implants. As dentures made did not fit the placement of implants, her nightmare was stationary posts protruding from her gums and no teeth. 3 of the 18 members of my small church went to a DDS; all agree going to DDS was a terrible experience and waste of money.
When called in to have gum impressions made, (not a quick process) there was such an overage of molding material on the two mouth trays as to over fill my mouth and block my throat. It was as difficult to keep from gagging as it was to breath. Attempting to close my mouth as instructed proved difficult and forced more of the compound further into my throat. I tried to tell the tech the top plate was not fully fitting to the roof of my mouth and the bottom tray was not completely in my mouth rather pressing against my bottom lip forcing it outward& down. I was ignored then, told tech knew what she was doing & adjustments to fit would be made later. Hours later tech tried forcing my gums to conform to the shape of my mis-molded dentures causing massive damage to gums, mouth, severing muscle connecting bottom lip to gum. Dentures cause spitting, speech impediment, foods catch on & stick to them, are not made for full time wear, must be kept in water at least 8 hrs a day. Teeth don't meet to properly chew food, food is flattened & swallowed whole. Dentures are permeated with unremoveable growing black mold, remain unfinished & broken. My 1st trip, DDS filed an all work completed fraud claim & received payment in full. CJ.D. read more
