Frequently Asked Questions

We do not currently put patients to sleep, however, we do offer oral conscious sedation. This medication will help to relax you and often makes it so you don’t even remember your procedure. For this, we write you a prescription, and you can pick it up at your pharmacy of choice. NOTE: You MUST have a driver for this procedure, someone who can drive you after you have taken your oral sedation pill(s). You MUST NOT operate a motor vehicle or any machinery after taking your medication.

• ice packs
• wash cloths you don’t mind throwing away
• comfortable clothes you don’t mind throwing away
• soft foods (a good rule is you can eat anything you can cut with a plastic fork)

We have two locations in Oklahoma. Our hours are Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm. To make an appointment, click Schedule an appt anywhere on this website, or call us.

Owasso (918) 376-6600

‍11422 N 134th E Ave, Suite 2, Owasso, OK 74055

Tulsa (918) 471-1004

1531 W 81st Street, Tulsa OK 74132

Absolutely. At Secure, our experienced team of dental experts can discuss the needs and options of general dentistry, tooth extractions, and many other dental services — many on a same-day basis.

At Secure, our onsite dental lab makes it possible to save time and keeps -party service needs to a minimum. We keep our experience and expertise under one roof, making Secure Dentures and Implants a more affordable service option.

We are happy to use existing X-rays, when appropriate — and depending on the specific X-ray and length of time since you had one. Talk to your Secure dental team ahead of your appointment to see if an existing X-ray can be used.

At Secure Dental & Implants, our goal is to provide same-day services whenever possible. Depending on the services you need, we will strive to provide dental and denture services as timely as possible and for the well-being and enjoyment of each patient.

No, this is not just a procedure for the elderly. It’s actually quite common for people in their 40s, 30s, even 20s to replace their teeth. Replacing bad teeth can be hugely beneficial to your overall physical health, and being able to smile, laugh, and converse confidently with teeth you’re proud of can be hugely beneficial to your emotional health. Again, needing to replace teeth early in life is not uncommon at all.

Patients should wait 6 weeks after their procedure before they begin cleaning with a water flosser.

While titanium dental implants do have a 95+% success rate, yes, they can still fail. Some of the things that can cause them to fail:

• failure to integrate into the bone
• smoking
• diabetes

If an implant fails within the first year, your dentist will replace it at no charge to you.

We warranty the final bridge for 7 years. If a dental implant fails to integrate we will replace it at no cost. To keep this warranty, our patients must return every 6 months for maintenance and hygiene of their bridges/implants. The warranty does not apply to patients that continue to smoke or have uncontrolled diabetes or develop other uncontrolled systemic conditions that compromise their implants.

The majority of patients that have been told they are not a candidate for dental implants are actually good candidates for the Secure Smile Full Arch Implants. A combination of using angled implants and using the front of the jaw bone where the bone is more dense allows us to complete this procedure for many patients that thought it was not an option. We can usually perform this procedure without the need for expensive grafting that delays treatment by months or years. Please come see us for a complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate.

Dentures can become loose and ‘float’ on your gums. Denture wearers often experience challenges while eating, talking and interacting with others. Many find their dentures to be less secure and predictable than their natural teeth.

Denture implants help with all the above — from eating and speaking more confidently and looking and feeling more natural. Implants replace tooth roots in the jawbone, and the bone then stays healthier and fuller, and the facial structure stays more intact over time, stopping the process of premature aging.

Bone loss begins the moment you lose a natural tooth; and after one year, your jawbone can recede almost one quarter of an inch. Without the support of your teeth and facial bone structure, your face begins to look prematurely aged. Tooth replacement with dental implants helps prevent bone loss and allows you to maintain a more youthful and healthier appearance.

Implants cost more than dentures alone, but they represent an investment in the long-term health of your jawbone and facial structure, as well as the long-term comfort and confidence in your eating, smiling, interacting and quality of life.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone. They act much like the roots of your natural teeth and can secure and stabilize a single crown, a bridge or a full arch denture, as well as higher-end restoration.

A soft liner is a cushion we place inside your denture to help it fit and feel better as your mouth heals and changes shape following extractions.

Yes, any prosthetic in the mouth will get some amount of food under it. The great thing about implant dentures is how easy they are to clean. Just take them out; clean the denture(s), your gums, and implants; and snap them back in.

We do not currently offer this type of implant. While titanium implants have been around for decades with a long track record of success, zirconia implants are very new to the market, so we do not know what their success will be like long-term. We want the most successful, most predictable long-term results for our patients, and for these reasons, we do not offer zirconia implants at this time.

Tori are bony knots that develop in the mouth of many patients. They are not harmful, however, they can prevent your denture(s) from fitting comfortably, so your doctor will often recommend having them removed.

Alveoplasty is a procedure where the doctor contours your jawbone. This procedure is important because it can significantly improve the fit and comfort of your dentures.

Typically 1 to 2 times per year. This will depend on how many implants you have, how strong your bite is, how frequently you take your dentures in and out, and several other factors. PLEASE DO NOT BITE YOUR DENTURES INTO PLACE ON YOUR IMPLANTS! This will wear out your inserts significantly faster. Only place your implant dentures in by hand.

If you are a candidate for a palateless denture, it will be removed from your final denture. This is after healing and osseointegration are complete and we are ready to attach to your implants (approximately 4-6 months after placement of your implants).

Most patients with 4 implants in the upper are able to have a large portion of the palate (roof of the mouth) cut out of their denture. This increases the ability to taste for many patients, and also increases hot and cold sensitivity, making for a more natural experience. For those patients with a severe gag reflex, removing the palate of the denture can also help provide relief.

No, we must allow time for your implants to integrate with your bone. This is what makes your implants truly stable and will help ensure you enjoy many years or decades of use out of them. We typically wait between 4 and 6 months before attaching to your implants.

This is completely normal when you first have a prosthesis (denture) placed in your mouth. Your body senses it as a foreign object and is trying to “flush” it out. This increased salivation should subside within 2-3 days.

Though each person and their mouth are unique, dentures typically need to be replaced every five to seven years. It is important to get your annual checkup and always assess and maintain your oral health, denture care, hygiene, adjustments and repairs.

To begin, simple X-rays are taken first. Assessment of any tooth pain or mouth or gum discomfort. Then, your Secure dentist will consult with you about a recommended course of treatment. If tooth extractions are required, temporary dentures called ‘immediate dentures’ are made to help with comfort, functionality, appearance, confidence — and to feel secure.

As you heal from the procedures, it is common for the tissue of the gum area to change and even shrink, causing the immediate denture to fit to change. If this happens, a reline, adjustment or new denture is needed to advance the healing process.

New dentures take some getting used to — and that means time. New denture wearers can expect a time that their new dentures will feel strange and uncomfortable. The most common thing at first is a feeling of fullness with the cheeks and lips, a sensation that something big and bulky is in your mouth, and even an experience of slurred speech, excessive salivation, funny or diminished taste, and even gagging. With time, these sensations do subside, and your new dentures will feel commonplace and comfortable.

For a more comfortable first-time experience, let your dental team share suggestions for comfort and fit. Again, your time and patience are key. It takes time to learn to chew with new dentures, patience with only having soft foods for a while before introducing hard or difficult-to-chew foods.

When you’re comfortable with your dentures, be sure to avoid biting into foods with your front teeth as it may dislodge them. Lower dentures take the longest to get used to as they can ‘float’ on your lower gums and not have suction, like an upper denture has. While adjusting to your new dentures, it’s not uncommon to feel sore spots on your gums. Additionally, chewing on both sides of your mouth at the same time will help stabilize your new teeth.

Wearing your dentures all the time helps you adapt to them more quickly. With time and patience, you will learn good lip and tongue control. After you're used to them, it is advisable to take them out at night.

Be Secure in your new dentures and let your dental team know about any difficulty you experience so we can assess and provide any adjustments needed to your new dentures.

Clean your dentures daily with a soft brush and cleaning agent such as soap and water or products made specifically to clean dentures. Diligent care and daily cleaning are vital to maintain good dental health.

• Brush both the inside and outside of your denture to eliminate any harmful bacteria or buildup.
• Soak your dentures overnight in water or a denture cleaning agent.
• When cleaning your dentures, hold them over a sink filled with water or cushioned with a soft towel so you can prevent breakage if you accidentally drop them.