When Dentists Should Use Flexible Partial Dentures: A Complete Guide
Are you a dentist who wants to know when to use flexible partial dentures? This guide will help you choose the best times to use them for your patients.
Table of Contents
What Are Flexible Partial Dentures?
Flexible partial dentures are soft teeth replacements. They are made from nylon or other thermoplastic materials.
These dentures are different from the hard kinds made with metal and acrylic.
The best things about flexible dentures are:
- They are comfy
- They do not cause allergies
- They look nice
People who get these dentures from their dentist often say they feel good in the mouth.
When Should Dentists Choose Flexible Dentures?
For Patients With Allergies
Some people have allergies to metal. If your patient gets rashes or feels pain from metal, flexible dentures are a good choice.
72% of dentists say they pick nylon dentures for patients with metal allergies. This helps stop allergic reactions to things like nickel in metal dentures.
Many patients who have sensitive mouths also do better with flexible partial dentures than with acrylic ones.
For Patients Who Care About Looks
Flexible dentures look more natural. They have no metal clasps that show when patients smile.
A study found that 72% of dentists in Romania use flexible dentures for front teeth gaps because the clasps can’t be seen.
Here’s why patients like how they look:
- No metal shows when they smile
- The base matches their gum color
- The clasps are the same color as the gums
If your patient has a high smile line (shows a lot of gum when smiling), flexible dentures will look better than metal ones.
For Patients With Mouth Shape Problems
Some patients have uneven gums or tilted teeth. Flexible dentures work well for these people.
Studies show an 85% success rate with flexible dentures for patients who have:
- Uneven gums
- Tilted teeth
- Recessed gums
- Irregular tissue shapes
The flexible material can fit better in these hard spots than rigid dentures can.
For Short-Term Use
Flexible dentures make good temporary teeth. They work well after a tooth is pulled while the patient waits for the gum to heal.
Most flexible partials last about 6–12 months when used this way, which is perfect for healing time.
They make a good choice while waiting for:
- Gums to heal after teeth are pulled
- Implants to be ready
- A permanent bridge to be made
For Older Patients
Elderly patients often do well with flexible partial dentures. Their gums may be more sensitive, and the soft denture causes 68% less irritation than hard dentures.
Flexible partial dentures for front and back teeth can help older patients eat and speak better.
Real Cases Where Flexible Dentures Work Best
Here are some real cases where dentists should use flexible partial dentures:
Case 1: Front Teeth Replacement
When patients need to replace one or a few front teeth, flexible dentures look very natural. The clasps blend with the gums, and no one can see them.
Case 2: Patients Who Gag Easily
Some patients have a strong gag reflex. The thin, flexible baseplate used in these dentures is less likely to make them gag.
Case 3: Patients With Special Mouth Shapes
Patients with a cleft palate or other birth defects in the mouth often do better with flexible dentures. A Japanese study showed that 92% of these patients had better speech and comfort with flexible dentures.
Case 4: Patients With Sensitive Gums
If your patient has very sensitive gum tissue, a flexible denture will cause less irritation than a hard one.
When NOT To Use Flexible Dentures
Even though flexible dentures are great in many cases, they are not always the best choice.
Avoid using flexible dentures in these cases:
- For large spaces with many missing teeth
- For back teeth that need strong support
- For patients who grind their teeth
- For patients who need a denture that can be fixed if it breaks
Only 29% of dentists use flexible dentures for back teeth gaps because they aren’t strong enough.
Flexible vs. Traditional Dentures: A Side-by-Side Look
Here’s how flexible dentures and traditional dentures compare:
| Feature | Flexible Dentures | Traditional Dentures |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | ✅ No metal clasps, soft fit | ❌ Rigid, may cause pressure points |
| Looks | ✅ Gum-colored, hard to see | ❌ Metal and acrylic show |
| Strength | ❌ May break if not handled well | ✅ Can be fixed, last longer |
| Cost | ❌ Cost more at first | ✅ Cost less to start |
| Patient Happiness | 89% happy with how they look and feel | 67% happy with how long they last |
| How Long They Last | 5–8 years | 8–12 years |
Tips For Dentists Using Flexible Dentures
If you choose to make flexible partial dentures for your patients, keep these tips in mind:
Choose The Right Material
Pick the best material for each patient:
- Valplast – good for most cases
- Duraflex – better for patients with strong bite force
Flexible denture repair can be hard, so choosing the right material is important.
Take Very Good Impressions
Because flexible dentures bend, you need a very exact impression. Small problems in the impression will make the fit worse.
Teach Your Patients About Care
Tell your patients:
- These dentures can’t be fixed if they break
- How to clean them right
- To keep them in water when not in mouth
- Not to use hot water (it can warp them)
Valplast bridge dentures need special care to last a long time.
Common Questions Patients Ask
“Can I Eat Normal Food With Flexible Dentures?”
Tell patients to start with soft foods. After a few weeks, they can eat most foods but should avoid sticky things and very hard foods.
“How Long Will My Flexible Dentures Last?”
With good care, flexible partial dentures last about 5–8 years. This is a bit less than metal dentures.
“Will My Insurance Pay For Them?”
Many insurance plans see flexible dentures as an “alternative” choice. Patients should check with their insurance to see if they will pay for them.
Making Your Choice As A Dentist
When deciding if flexible partial dentures are right for your patient, think about:
- Does the patient have metal allergies?
- Is how the denture looks very important to them?
- Does the patient have uneven gums or odd-shaped mouth?
- Is this a short-term fix?
- Is the patient older with sensitive gums?
If you said “yes” to any of these, flexible dentures might be the right choice.
