Flexible dentures are dentures, made of a thin thermoplastic such as nylon, which is a flexible material hence the name. They are also known as Valplast dentures.
They are custom-fabricated to fit each patient's unique anatomy, and are one of the most comfortable tooth replacement options available in the market. They are also lightweight, which allows patients to become accustomed to the dentures very quickly. They have no metal clasps which makes them quite aesthetically pleasant.
Benefits of flexible partials:
Superior aesthetics - perfect for patients with one or two teeth missing
Great comfort - much thinner than standard dentures and there is no taste to them
Patients find chewing easier
The speech is not affected as badly as it is with thicker dentures
Excellent function
Most biocompatible denture material in the market, non-allergenic
Great substitute for people who cannot effort the implants
Flexible and not brittle like standard dentures so they don’t shatter if they’re dropped
The material is translucent and allows the natural gum colour to show through - they look very natural and blend in perfectly
Less dental appointments needed to get the final product
They cling to the gums and don’t require metal clasps to hold them in place
Some patients feel that the appliance “disappears” or is “invisible” in their mouth, thus the aesthetics of it is far superior to conventional acrylic/metal partial dentures
Disadvantages:
The cost may be slightly higher than conventional acrylic partial denture because the fitting and finishing time at the lab is increased, but the result makes it well worth it
The additions (if a patient looses more teeth) can be time consuming and costly as the denture needs to be sent to the lab
Not suitable in every case and especially unsuitable for patients with gum disease
