Flexible Dentures: Review of Its Difference from Traditional Dentures

There are plenty of ways to replace your missing teeth. Common replacement procedures for tooth loss are dental implants, crowns, bridges, and veneers. However, most edentulous patients under our care prefer to use flexible dentures. It is a modern way to help our elderly patients regain their confidence and allow them to smile more. These days, flexible dentures are more preferred than traditional dentures. This article will show some insights into the advantages of flexible dentures, review the benefits you will get, and determine why your local dentist might recommend them to you.

What Are Flexible Dentures

If you notice, conventional dentures contain metal plates, acrylic gums, and resin crowns. But over the years, many things have changed, and dentists are now offering better solutions to match your natural teeth.

Before anything else, you need to know that flexible dentures are a type of partial dentures. What does this mean? It means that if you are missing an entire set of teeth, you will not be a candidate for flexible partial dentures. Compared with conventional dentures, flexible partial dentures are softer and more comfortable to wear. It was designed to serve as a permanent solution to the numerous problems brought by traditional dentures.

Flexible Partial Dentures Vs. Dentures with Metal Material

Before the rise of flexible dentures, most dentures are made of acrylic resin with a metal foundation. Don’t get us wrong, and acrylic dentures are sturdy and cost-efficient; however, they have several disadvantages.

A lot of elderly patients could attest to the fact that during their younger years, wearing traditional braces is not very comfortable. In fact, they can even cause irritation and swelling, especially on the early days of wearing them. One more thing to consider is that they tend to break easily.

Meanwhile, you will never experience the mentioned drawbacks with a flexible partial denture. First of all, they are made of completely different materials. A flexible denture is made from a thin thermoplastic, making it comfortable to wear as it bends and flexes to fit in your mouth perfectly.

One more difference to consider is that traditional dentures can be the replacement for a whole set of teeth, while flexible partials will always be partial.

Furthermore, since traditional braces are made of more durable materials, they could also last longer. Plus, the weight of the materials also gives the wearer a more natural feel.

Lastly, traditional dentures can be adjusted if needed, but a flexible partial denture cannot offer this flexibility. Once the partial dentures are made, there are no other ways to reconstruct them.

Cost of A Flexible Partial Denture

The cost of a flexible denture may vary. But typically, flexible dentures could range from $700 to $3000. We know what you are thinking; they are more expensive than full dentures or even a denture line kit and procedure. And indeed they are. But there are several factors to consider. You need to check the price given by your dentist, the brand they use, and the number of teeth to be replaced. Click here to visit their website and find out which type of denture suits you.

Even though flexible partials are not the most expensive option to replace missing teeth, it could still hurt a patient’s wallet. But the good news is that dental insurances cover most denture services. As a matter of fact, dental insurance can cover at least 50% of your total expenses.

While looking for dental insurance, you will have an idea of how you need to spend and how much you might save. After that, you set an appointment with your dentist to get a sample quotation. This is just one of the many benefits you can get with owning a dental plan.

Popular Brands

As mentioned, the total cost would depend on so many things, including the brand your dentist uses. To give you an idea, here are the most popular brands of flexible partials:

• Valplast
• Flexites
• Flexilytes
• Sunflex

All of these brands can offer the same quality of products are they are all:

• heat injected
• flexible
• biocompatible
• made of thin material called thermoplastic

The manufactures of Valplast claim to use biocompatible nylon thermoplastic in their products. According to Valplast makers, their soft removable partial dentures contain aesthetic properties and are flexible enough to effortlessly adapt to the changes in mouth movements.

The rest of the brands offer comfortability and are also made of nylon thermoplastic material. Most of them claim to be durable enough for long-term use.

Pros and Cons

Like other dental restoration solutions like removable partial dentures and dental implants, flexible dentures have pros and cons as well. Let’s check out the primary advantages and disadvantages below.

Advantages:

• no visible metal materials
• they are more comfortable to wear
• does not cause irritation
• doesn’t require adhesives
• biocompatible
• resistant to stains and odor

Disadvantages:

• not for long term use, unlike conventional dentures
• not suitable in replacing the entire teeth
• flexible partials are not as strong as acrylic dental prosthesis
• nylon thermoplastic are harder to adjust

While determining the pros and cons, it’s important to remember that no kind of dentures will ever be able to replace how natural teeth look.

The best way to restore your smile is with dental implants. There are a number of great reasons why a dental implant is better than dentures. For instance, they are stronger, more natural-looking, and promote bone health as well. Implants will allow you to eat joyfully as it mimics the functions of your natural teeth.

However, many dental patients opt for cheaper options due to financial reasons, including flexible and removable partial dentures. If you’re not sure if which restoration procedures will fit your budget, you can always visit your dentist’s office for a consultation.

Conclusion

Flexible dentures are an excellent restorative option if you are working within a budget. Generally, it will help you retain your confidence to smile. If you are looking for an affordable dental restoration, this is probably the one for you. They offer comfort, durability, and biocompatibility- making them a safe option for people with allergies. However, there are better ways to restore your teeth; they may be a bit more expensive and out of the budget, but their advantages are much better than what dentures can offer.

Dentists would rather prefer their patients to opt for permanent solutions like implants. They may be pricey, but the results are longer lasting and permanent, making them worth every penny you spend. Nevertheless, it’s better to talk to your dentist about what’s best for you. Your dentist will advise you to go for options that will improve your oral health to get your money’s worth.

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