Dentures in Albuquerque, NM
Wearing dentures shouldn’t mean giving up the confidence of a natural smile. At Sunshine Dental, we believe that everyone deserves to speak, laugh, and enjoy life without worrying that others will notice their dentures. To help ensure you can smile confidently after tooth loss, we create dentures that look so natural, no one will know they aren’t your real teeth. With today’s technology and our compassionate approach, we can help you feel like yourself again.
Understanding Conventional Dentures
Just like people instinctively reach for chicken soup when they’re under the weather, dentures are often the first thing that comes to mind when someone needs to replace missing teeth. That’s likely because they’ve been around for much longer than you’d think, and they do what they say they will: replace missing teeth.
Dentures allow you to chew food, speak more clearly, and flash a confident smile that fills out your face naturally, rather than looking sunken. A well-made denture can boost your overall quality of life, helping you enjoy meals, connect with friends, and feel good about how you look.
If you’re missing a complete set of upper or lower teeth, full dentures can restore your smile. If you’re missing some of your teeth, partial dentures can fill in the gaps.
State-of-the-Art Partials
At Sunshine Dental, we make our own partial dentures right here in our office using our SprintRay 3D printer. Made from a special flexible material, they’re gentle on your gums, which means less pressure and less soreness as you go about your day. The material also resists plaque buildup, helping your denture stay cleaner. Plus, it’s a great option for patients with sensitivities or allergies.
Since the material is so strong, we can also make the partial thinner and lighter. That makes it more comfortable and natural feeling. And because it doesn’t cover as much of your palate, you’ll be able to taste your food better and enjoy meals like you used to.
For patients who can’t get implants, this is a reliable, great-looking option that can last for years. And if you decide to get dental implants later on, there’s a good chance we can still use the same partial you’ve been wearing.
The Cosmetic Impact of Dentures
For Dr. Jaime, making dentures is about more than restoring function. It’s about helping you look and feel your best. She takes the time to make sure each denture looks great and that you look great wearing it. It’s personal to her. Every smile she designs is crafted with care and intention.
One of the most noticeable signs of aging happens in the middle third of the face: around the mouth. As we lose teeth and supporting bone, we also lose facial height, which can lead to deep creases, sagging skin, and an older appearance. Well-made dentures can reverse some of that by rebuilding structure and restoring balance to your features.
Dr. Jaime pays close attention to how the teeth are positioned so they look as natural as possible. She takes pride in creating smiles that not only look real but also help patients look more youthful. Her goal is to give you a smile that fits your face and brings out your natural beauty.
By studying your facial structure and muscle movements, she designs a smile that looks real and complements your appearance from the start. That’s why her results often look better and feel more like you.
Options for Loose Dentures
Conventional dentures can fit well initially, but over time, they become loose. This happens because, without tooth roots to provide pressure during chewing, the jawbone no longer gets the signals it needs to stay strong. As a result, the bone gradually weakens and shrinks, making it harder for the denture to stay secure.
When this happens, Dr. Jaime will first examine your tissue to see if a simple reline can improve the fit and restore retention. In many cases, that’s enough to help the denture feel more secure. But when a reline isn’t enough, or you’re tired of frequent adjustments, mini dental implants can provide a more stable, long-term solution.
These small implants help anchor the denture in place, helping it stay secure while you eat and speak. They also provide gentle stimulation to the jawbone, which helps prevent bone loss. This means your denture fits better for longer and your smile stays more comfortable and confident.
At Sunshine Dental, we offer a variety of implant-supported denture options, including:
- Implant-retained partial dentures: For patients missing several teeth, implant-retained partials are a secure and natural-looking solution. The added support from the implants helps prevent slipping, improves chewing, and extends the lifespan of your prosthetic.
- Snap-in dentures: Snap-in dentures are a great option for patients who want more stability than traditional full dentures. These are removable prosthetics that “snap” onto 4 to 6 mini implants in the lower jaw or 6 to 8 in the upper jaw. The implants keep the denture stable during the day and allow for easy removal at night for cleaning.
- Roundhouse bridges: Roundhouse bridges offer the most permanent and lifelike option. These full arches of teeth connect to additional implants for greater stability and stronger bite forces. They can be made as either semi-removable (6-10 mini implants needed) or non-removable (10-12 implants). With both versions, you never have to remove the bridge yourself. These bridges are crafted from strong, aesthetic materials like zirconia, providing the feel and function of natural teeth with incredibly long-lasting results.
It’s Time To Love Your Smile Again!
Losing your teeth doesn’t mean losing your identity. With the proper care and the right approach, dentures can restore far more than function. They can bring back confidence, comfort, and a smile that really feels like your own.
From thoughtfully designed conventional and partial dentures to advanced implant-supported options, everything at Sunshine Dental is focused on restoring a natural smile, so you can feel secure and enjoy life more fully. Dr. Jaime’s attention to detail, passion for aesthetics, and commitment to long-term comfort make all the difference in the results you can see and feel.
If you’re considering dentures in Albuquerque, NM, we invite you to take the next step. Schedule a free consultation at Sunshine Dental and discover what’s possible for you and your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adjusting to dentures is definitely a process, and we totally get that it’s not always easy. Transitioning from natural teeth to dentures can feel like a big shift. Your mouth has to get used to something completely new, and that can take a little time and patience.
That said, adding mini dental implants can make a huge difference. Implants help stabilize your denture, making everything feel more secure and natural from the start. They improve function and help your body accept the transition more smoothly. Without implants, you might notice everyday things, like eating certain foods or holding long conversations, feel a little more awkward at first. However, the right fit and follow-up care can still make a big difference in helping you feel like yourself again.
Conventional dentures typically last 5 to 10 years. They’re not a permanent solution because your mouth naturally changes over time. Your bone levels, gum tissue, and even the shape of your jaw can shift. These changes can affect how your denture fits and feels.
Regular checkups and occasional adjustments, like relines, can help extend the life of your denture. And if you have implant-supported dentures, they tend to stay secure and functional much longer because the implants help preserve the bone. No matter which denture you choose, we’ll help you keep your teeth working and looking the way they should.
Patients are usually happiest with implant-supported dentures. The difference in comfort, stability, and confidence is night and day compared to conventional dentures. With mini implants holding the denture in place, there’s no more worrying about slipping or using messy adhesives. Eating, talking, and laughing all feel more natural.
For many patients, partial dentures made from our in-office 3D printer also get high praise. They’re light, flexible, and custom-fitted for maximum comfort.
But in general, once someone experiences the added support of implants, they say they’d never go back. It just feels more like having your own teeth again.