Dentures – Albuquerque, NM
Rebuilding Your Smile in a Beautiful Fashion
If you have gaps in your grin, you aren’t alone; millions of Americans are missing at least some of their teeth, and many wonder what their options are when it comes to replacing them. At our office, Dr. George Keanna is thrilled to offer dentures, one of the most reliable tooth restoration solutions around! Keep reading below to learn a little more about what dentures are capable of, or feel free to give us a call today to schedule your consultation.
Why Choose Natural Dental Services for Dentures?
- Friendly Dentist with Years of Experience
- Insurance and Financing Options Available
- Beautiful Restorations You’ll Love Showing Off
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
In most cases, patients who are missing anywhere from a few teeth to one or both arches are eligible to receive dentures; however, you’ll still need to come to visit Dr. Keanna for a consultation beforehand. During this visit, he will inspect your situation thoroughly to determine which type of denture best suits your needs, as well as if there is any preparatory work necessary. This is quite important; we wouldn’t want to outfit you with dentures if you’re already dealing with an issue like gum disease or tooth decay that would affect their future integrity!
Types of Dentures
There are different types of dentures, all of which are designed with a patient’s specific needs in mind. Once you’ve attended your consultation and Dr. Keanna has determined that dentures would be a good solution for your missing teeth, he’ll suggest one of the following types based on your situation:
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are optimal for patients missing some missing teeth, rather than one or both of their arches. This is done through the expert use of a clasp that’s attached to the remaining natural teeth. A gum-colored base is also utilized, as well as customized prosthetic teeth that closely resemble your natural pearly whites.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth, and they can be used on one or both arches. They also employ a discreet, gum-colored base like partial dentures, coupled with replacement teeth. However, since there aren’t any remaining adjacent teeth to use for attachment, they rely on a combination of adhesives, suction, and muscle control to stay in place.
Implant Dentures
Dr. Keanna can also utilize dental implants to provide you with a restoration that’s truly built to last. Rather than relying on fitting clasps to adjacent teeth, or adhesives and constant adjustments, implant dentures combine the ingenuity of dental implants with the efficacy of dentures. Titanium posts are first embedded into your jaw, where they’ll fuse with it—and once things have healed up, you can be outfitted with your customized restoration and unlock several unique benefits, such as impressive stability and less unwanted movement.
Benefits of Dentures
The loss of multiple teeth can have some significant consequences on your daily life. If you are tired of dealing with the inconveniences of an incomplete smile, dentures may be the ideal solution for you. They can improve your ability to eat, chew, speak, and smile with confidence. In fact, for many patients, they are truly lifechanging! Below, you will learn more about the many benefits of high-quality dentures.
Psychological Benefits
Sadly, too many people underestimate the effects that dental problems can have on mental health. Edentulism (the state of being toothless) may cause you to shy away from social interactions, especially if they involve meeting new people. You could miss out on forming meaningful relationships. Furthermore, self-consciousness about your appearance or your speech could cause you to act withdrawn even if you do find yourself in a social situation.
Fortunately, dentures can help with such issues. They might just allow you to feel like your old self again, whether you are chatting with friends, exploring the dating scene, or simply enjoying outings with your loved ones.
Clearer Enunciation
Clear, articulate speech is the result of complex interactions between several structures in the human body, including the teeth. Without teeth, you might find it challenging to pronounce certain words with clarity and confidence.
When you first get dentures, you might develop a slight lisp. After a bit of time and practice, however, you are likely to find that your speech is much clearer than it was before you got your prosthetic.
Improves Nutrition
Weak and missing teeth can affect your diet. You might tend to gravitate toward soft foods that do not have much nutritional value. Eventually, you might even develop significant vitamin and mineral deficiencies!
Dentures can restore your ability to eat a wide variety of foods, including many types of fruits and veggies. Once you adapt to eating with your prosthetic, you should find it easy to enjoy a balanced, tasty, and satisfying diet.
Preserves Oral Health
If you still have some of your natural teeth, dentures can be beneficial in at least two ways:
- Dentures can prevent dental drift. In other words, they can serve as a placeholder that prevents your natural teeth from shifting out of their proper positions.
- Dentures reduce wear and tear. Because dentures can take some of the stress of chewing, they can minimize wear and tear to your natural tooth enamel.
Expands Opportunity
Your smile can have a big effect on the way others perceive you. Sadly, edentulism may give the impression that you are older than you really are. A full and healthy-looking smile, on the other hand, can convey the impression that you are youthful, successful, and approachable. Many people have found that improving the appearance of their mouth has made it easier for them to make a powerful, positive impact in their workplace.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Generally speaking, dentures are one of the most cost-effective tooth replacement options. During your consultation, our team will be able to discuss some specific numbers with you and explain your payment options. For example, we can file insurance claims on your behalf and help you apply for third-party financing.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
Some factors that may influence the cost of your dentures include:
- Preparatory treatment. If you need tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, or other procedures before you receive dentures, they will increase the total cost of your care.
- The specific types of materials used to create your dentures will have a bearing on their price.
- The type of denture. Partial, full, and implant dentures all come at varying price points.
If you ever come across a deal for “bargain” dentures, exercise extreme caution. Very often, patients end up disappointed in the results of such offerings. It is best to invest in high-quality holistic care right from the beginning of your tooth replacement journey.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Yes, implant dentures have a significantly higher upfront cost than their traditional counterparts. That is because they involve a more complex and more expensive treatment process. Despite their higher cost, most patients have no regrets about committing to implant dentures. They are a superb value because of the many benefits they provide, such as a strong bite and preservation of the jawbone. Plus, they have the potential to last for many years. In contrast, traditional dentures usually need to be replaced after just 5 – 7 years or so. Therefore, implant dentures may actually cost less in the long-term.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Most dental insurance policies do cover dentures. Typically, they are classified as a major procedure, so up to 50% of their cost may be covered, up to your plan’s annual maximum. Many patients are able to reduce their out-of-pocket costs by hundreds of dollars by using their insurance.
Although our practice is not in-network with any insurance plan, we can file claims for most PPO policies. Bring your insurance information to our office so we can help you figure out how your benefits may apply.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you do not wish to pay for the entirety of your treatment upfront, you may be eligible for low-interest financing through a third-party lender. The application process is fast, and most patients are quickly approved for a payment plan that works with their monthly budget. Depending on the total price of your treatment, you may be able to spread out your payments across several months or even a couple of years.
Most patients do not find it difficult to afford their dentures! To learn more about this treatment and its cost, get in touch with our team to request a consultation. We look forward to serving you.