Flexible Partial Denture

Suppose you are missing multiple teeth and looking for an affordable solution that restores your aesthetics and function while providing a comfortable experience. You are in the right place. 

A flexible partial denture is one of the budget-friendly options to replace missing teeth without being concerned about the aesthetics or breaking the bank

What is a flexible denture?

A flexible partial denture is a removable fake teeth used to replace missing teeth, but not a full arch; that’s why it partially covers the ridge in the patient’s mouth.

It consists of porcelain-reinforced resin teeth attached to a flexible denture base with flexible, invisible gingival-colour rein extensions that wrap around the neighbouring healthy teeth to get more retention and stability. 

Unlike conventional partial dentures, which are made of rigid acrylic PMMA with metal clasps, flexible dentures are fabricated from a thin and lightweight, metal-free, thermoplastic resin that offers high flexibility. 

Knowing that a flex partial is a removable dental prosthesis, it’s one of the cheap options to replace missing teeth, if compared to implants and dental bridges.

Flexible denture’s material benefits

Flexible dentures are made of heated thermoplastic resins, such as nylon-based products like Valplast® or tcs®, or ethylene-propylene-based products like DuraFlex™ flexible partials. 

These materials have a unique property: they’re bendable, lightweight, have a pink gum color, fit snugly on the remaining teeth without metal clasps, and are perfectly adapted to the mouth’s natural shape. This gives you a totally comfortable experience, allowing you to eat, talk, and smile naturally to the point where you forget you’re even wearing anything.

Flexible denture advantages and disadvantage

Advantages of flexible dentures

Flexible dentures provide multiple benefits that enhance your comfortable experience of a removable appliance 

1. Comfort: the fabrication material is soft and bendable, not rigid, allowing it to be lightweight on the patient’s gingiva and reduce gum irritation or soreness due to rigidity. 
2. Aesthetic appearance, due to its gum-like pink color that mimics natural patients’ gums, in addition to the metal-free design without any metal clasps.
   Also, there are some brands like DuraFlex and KDL Clear Flex Partial Denture, where the base is transparent and provides a more natural appearance to the patient’s smile.
3. Difficult to fracture: it’s not broken if dropped. It can last for years with proper maintenance and care.
4. Biocompatible: it’s hypoallergenic, ideal to be used for patients with metal or acrylic allergies. It’s BPA-free and FDA-approved.
5. Affordable in the case of replacing multiple missing teeth, where patients need multiple dental bridges in upper and lower arches. A Flexible denture is a cost-effective dental treatment when compared to an implant-supported bridge.
6. Some thermoplastic resin materials show minimal water resorption and resistance to stains, like DuraFlex.

Flexible denture disadvantages 

Flex partials have some limitations and risks you should know if you are willing to use them to replace missing teeth.

1. Flexible dentures are not suitable for full-arch replacement; they can’t be used as a full denture because their flexible nature makes them less stable.
2. Being removable: flex partials are not recommended for patients seeking ultimate function like chewing and grinding, as they are less retentive and less stable in the patient’s mouth; a patient can then seek cost-effective alternatives like overdentures.
3. Difficult to repair or reline: it’s difficult to repair, reline, or adjust, unlike conventional dentures, which are easily repaired without needing a new one.
4. Need meticulous oral hygiene care, so a patient has to clean them regularly and precisely to avoid any bacterial buildup, plaque accumulation, gum irritation, or staining. 
5. Low-stability traditional partial dentures, with components such as metal clasps, provide more vertical stability than flexible dentures. 
6. Absorb moisture with time and should be changed after 2-4 years of use.
7. Although a flex partial is durable, it shows some wear and tear deformation over time.

Acrylic denture vs flexible denture

Comparison Aspects	Acrylic partial dentures	Flexible dentures
Material of fabrication	Rigid PMMA “Acrylic resin”	Flexible thermoplastic material
The base covering the ridge	Rigid base could break, crack, and fracture on falls	Bendable base, less likely to break on falls
Natural Appearance	Gum-like color that becomes dull with time and needs regular polishing	Highly polished, lustrous, gum-like base; some brands are clear and transparent.
Maintenance	Easy to repair on fracture and deformation by relining and rebasing	Hard to repair and needs a full replacement.
Teeth Replacement	Can replace a full set of teeth with a full denture, or a certain number of teeth, like in partial dentures	Replaces missing teeth in the form of partial dentures for one or more teeth, on one side(unilateral) of the mouth or both (bilateral), but does not replace a full arch
Flexibility	Rigid	Bendable
Design	Metal clasps attached to the denture base and hug the neighbouring teeth to support and retain the denture during function	The gum-like color denture base extensions hugged the neighboring teeth to support the denture during function. It’s transparent and pink in color, so it’s aesthetically acceptable.
Affordability	The cheapest dental prostheses	A little more expensive than PMMA acrylic dentures
Durability	Removable with a lifespan ranging between 5-7 years with daily cleansing, regular maintenance, and check-ups	Removable with a lifespan ranging between 3-7 years according to the daily wear on functions, and the polymer materials of fabrication.

How to use a flexible acrylic?

To ensure your flexible partial denture remains comfortable and lasts for years, it's important to know how to use it correctly. Here is the best way to use your flexible denture:  

1. Before your first use, it's advisable to immerse it in warm water (for 30-60 sec). This will soften the thermoplastic material to match your body temperature. That will make adaptation easy and fast.
2. To insert it, you need to place the flexible denture over the right place, then flex the clasps with your fingertip and press down the appliance evenly until you hear the clicking sounds and the flexible denture is stable in its place. 
3. To remove it, gently pull or lift the denture while easing the clasps on both sides using your fingertips. But take care to avoid denture distortion. 

How much does a flexible partial denture cost?

Flexible partial dentures generally are slightly more expensive than traditional dentures. Due to the advanced technology used in the fabrication of the premium flexible material. On average, the total cost ranges from $700 to $1300 according to the number of missing teeth. 

However, there wasn't a fixed cost, as it changed according to different factors: 

• The total number of teeth needed to be replaced 
• Brand quality: a specific premium brand like flexible denture Bronx or flexible valplast dentures plays a major role in cost. 
• Clinic location: the fees are totally different according to the country and the city where you get the service.
• Specialist expertise: the dentist’s experience and skills affect the final fee. 

For your peace of mind, at Suave Dental Clinic you can receive a premium flexible partial denture crafted from the same global, FDA-approved materials and elite dental care for less than the global price. While getting the same treatment in countries like the UK or the USA can easily cost you a fortune.

How do you clean a flexible partial denture?

Denture care instructions are mandatory for long-lasting use, as flexible dentures need special oral care. Proper oral hygiene is critical to avoid bacterial buildup and keep your mouth healthy and fresh. Here is a step-by-step guide to perfectly clean your flexible partial denture: 

1. Rinse after meals: take off your denture and rinse it under running water to remove any debris so you prevent staining and bacterial buildup.
2. Gentle brushing: use a soft-bristled toothbrush alongside non-abrasive toothpaste to clean the denture itself and your remaining healthy teeth. Don't forget to thoroughly clean your tongue to prevent bad odour. 
3. Carefully handling: Despite being fabricated with flexible material, you should still handle it carefully and avoid overbending.
4. Overnight soaking: Just like traditional dentures, put your flexible denture in water or a special soaking solution every night to maintain its moisture. 

In addition to this routine, it's highly advisable to visit your dentist periodically for a professional cleaning and to ensure that everything is okay.