BPA-free Flexible Dentures
Although dental bridges, implant bridges, and traditional dentures are well-known options for replacing more than one tooth in the arch, flexible dentures are increasingly recognised as innovative removable prosthetic options that could offer unique advantages in special case selections.
What are Flexible Dentures?
Traditional dentures have long been associated with discomfort due to their rigid structure. They consist of an acrylic base, a metal or acrylic support structure, and resin teeth, often leading to sores and irritation in the mouth.
In contrast, flexible dentures are fabricated using a state-of-the-art thermoplastic material and have a soft, clear base that allows the natural gums to show through. Unlike traditional acrylic dentures, flexible dentures do not require metal attachments, clips, or clasps to retain the denture in place. The unique fabrication, material, and design provide a denture with remarkable comfort and flexibility.
Advantages of the Flexible Dentures
Flexible dentures offer several significant benefits over conventional dentures, making them a favourable choice for many partially edentulous patients; they offer a few advantages:
- BPA-free, non-toxic, and non-allergen: Flexible dentures are free from BPA (bisphenol-A) and do not contain any allergen metal components. As a result, they are less likely to cause allergic reactions, especially for people with compromised immune systems or patients with BPA or metal allergies, ensuring a safer option to replace a few missing teeth.
- Convenient Attachment: Flexible dentures attach directly to your gums and teeth, simplifying your oral hygiene routine.
- Efficient Manufacturing Process: Flexible dentures can be manufactured faster after intra-oral scanning and denture design. Compared to traditional dentures, they involve fewer appointments and adjustments. The streamlined impression and fabrication process saves time and ensures a quicker patient journey to a restored smile.
- Enhanced Durability: Since flexible dentures are less prone to cracking and micro-fracture, they could offer a more durable tooth replacement solution.
- Excellent Comfort and Patient Experience: These prostheses provide superior comfort to traditional dentures by being ultra-thin, lightweight, and pliable. Their miniature design eliminates the requirement for several adjustments, facilitating quick and easy wearing adaptation.
- Natural Appearance: The clear base of flexible dentures contributes to a more natural appearance by blending with the natural colour of your underlying gum.
- Stain and Odour Resistance: Flexible dentures are less prone to absorb stains and odours.
With these convincing advantages, it is clear that many edentulous patients are opting for flexible dentures as an alternative to traditional tooth replacement options.
Considerations when opting for Flexible Dentures
Before making a decision, it’s essential to consider some specific requirements and challenges related to these types of dentures:
- Reinforcement limitations: If you require an implant-supported denture with significant bite strength, a metal-reinforced denture, such as Titanium-based, may be the ideal choice.
- Excessive bite forces: While they offer excellent flexibility and comfort, they may not be an ideal tooth replacement option in patients with clenching or excessive bite forces, especially in patients with a minimal number of remaining teeth.
- Skilled Dentist Requirement: Due to the nature of the retention design and support requirements, flexible dentures necessitate additional expertise and skills developed for this specific type of prosthesis.
At London Specialist Dentist, we appreciate the importance of conservative teeth replacement and opting for the right option to meet your dental needs. Our experienced dentist, Dr Nico Kamosi, is well-versed in designing and providing flexible dentures, promoting personalised care and optimised treatment outcomes.
To help you determine whether flexible dentures are the most beneficial treatment solution for your unique situation, personal preferences, and requirements, we will use intra-oral scanning to assess the structure, alignments, and distribution of your remaining teeth and jaw relationships.
