Better Teeth Options: What Patients Like More Than Dental Flippers
Do you need to fix a missing tooth? Your patients may not like dental flippers. A dental flipper is a fake tooth that goes in your mouth. But most people do not like them. Here are better options that your patients will like more.
Table of Contents
Why Patients Do Not Like Dental Flippers
Dental flippers are not the best choice. Here is why:
- They feel big and bulky in the mouth
- They can break very easily
- They make it hard to eat food
- They can cause bone loss over time
Many patients who try flippers want something better. Let’s look at what they like more.
Top 5 Choices Patients Like Better Than Flippers
1. Essix Retainers
Essix Retainers are clear teeth guards that can hold a fake tooth. Patients like them because:
- They are clear so no one can see them
- They do not cover the whole roof of your mouth
- They are easy to clean
But they are not for long use. Do not eat with them in your mouth.
Patients who need a way to fix a tooth gap for a short time (less than 6 months) like these a lot. In fact, 65% of patients pick these for short-term use, and 90% like how they look.
You can find more about options for your patients.
2. Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-Supported Bridges use posts that go into the jaw bone to hold new teeth. These are very good for more than one missing tooth.
Why patients love them:
- They stay in place and do not move
- They stop bone loss in the jaw
- They feel like real teeth
These help stop bone loss in 98% of cases and last a very long time – 95% still work well after 10 years!
3. Valplast Flexible Partial Dentures
Valplast partials are made of a soft, bendy material with no metal. Patients pick these because:
- They are soft and comfy
- They are strong and last a long time
- They look better than flippers
In studies, 85% of patients say Valplast feels better than hard plastic flippers. When 30 patients tried both, 90% liked Valplast better.
Learn more about Adding Teeth to Valplast Partials Denture at our lab.
4. Resin-Bonded Bridges (Maryland Bridges)
Resin-Bonded Bridges stick to the backs of teeth next to a gap. They do not need to grind down good teeth.
What makes them good:
- They can be put in fast
- They save your good teeth
- They work well for front teeth
These cost 42% less than implants and have an 85% success rate after 5 years. In a study of 45 patients, 78% chose these bridges because they cost less.
5. Overdentures
Overdentures are dentures that snap onto implants in your jaw. They are good for people with no teeth.
Benefits for patients:
- They stay in place better than regular dentures
- They let you chew better
- They help keep your jaw bone healthy
Tests show these give 70% better chewing than flippers. They also cause 60% less bone loss over time.
What Matters Most to Patients When Picking a Flipper Alternative
Patients think about these things when choosing what to get:
| What Matters | Why It’s Important | Best Option For This |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | How much they can pay now and later | Resin-bonded bridges for low cost |
| Comfort | How it feels in the mouth | Valplast partials for soft feel |
| How Long It Lasts | Will it break or need to be fixed | Implant bridges for long life |
| How It Looks | Does it look like real teeth | Essix or implants for best look |
| How Fast | How long until they get teeth | Essix same day, implants take months |
68% of patients care more about comfort than looks. And 55% pick their option based on what they can pay for.
Special Cases: Different Options for Different Needs
For Kids
Kids need different options because their mouths are still growing:
- Space maintainers hold spots for adult teeth
- Simple appliances that won’t hurt growing mouths
For People with Health Problems
Some patients have special needs:
- Diabetics need materials that won’t cause infections
- Smokers might need different options that work better with their habits
For People on a Budget
If cost is the biggest concern:
- Temporary resin bridges cost less than other options
- Lab-made partials can be cheaper than in-office options
For People with Bone Loss
When a patient has lost jaw bone:
- Overdentures can work with less bone
- Special implants can sometimes be used in thin bone
Why Patients Dislike Flippers So Much
When asked, patients said these were the worst things about flippers:
- 72% had trouble eating with flippers
- 65% needed their flippers fixed or adjusted often
A study of 100 patients with flippers found that most stopped wearing them within 2 months because they were so unhappy with them.
You can offer better choices like Flexible Partial Dentures For Front/Back Teeth that patients prefer.
How to Help Patients Choose the Best Option
Patients trust you to guide them. Here are tips:
- Ask about their biggest concerns – is it cost, looks, or comfort?
- Show pictures of different options so they can see
- Let them hold samples of materials when possible
- Be clear about costs – both now and later
- Explain how long each option takes to get
88% of patients value being part of the decision about their teeth. When you work together to pick an option, they are happier with the result.
Making the Best Choice Based on Patient Needs
When helping a patient pick an alternative to a dental flipper, think about:
- How many teeth are missing
- Which teeth are missing (front or back)
- How healthy their mouth is
- How much they can spend
- How long they need the solution to last
For example:
- A young person with one missing front tooth might be happiest with an implant
- An older person with several missing back teeth might like a Valplast partial
- Someone who needs a very fast fix might start with an Essix retainer
New Options on the Horizon
Dental labs now use new tools to make better tooth replacements:
- CAD/CAM computers to design perfect fits
- 3D printing for faster, cheaper options
- New materials that look and feel more like real teeth
These new methods help make alternatives to flippers that patients like much more.
Key Things to Remember
- Dental flippers have many problems that make patients unhappy
- Better options include Essix retainers, implant bridges, Valplast partials, resin-bonded bridges, and overdentures
- Each patient has different needs that help decide the best choice
- Talking with patients about all options helps them feel good about their choice
- New technology is making even better options all the time
When you offer alternatives to dental flippers, your patients will be much happier with how their teeth look, feel, and work.
Learn more about Flexible Denture Repair and other options at our dental lab.
