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What are Flexible Dentures?

Dentures have come a long way since their earliest forms, where the teeth weren’t ‘false’ at all but rather animal or human teeth.

Nowadays, patients have a variety of false teeth options to choose from, including something called a Flexible Denture.

So…What are Flexible Dentures?

A newer type of denture that has been gaining popularity lately is the flexible denture. More and more patients are getting flexible dentures because of their high level of comfort. While most traditional dentures are quite rigid, flexible dentures are usually made from thermoplastic materials and don’t have metal hooks or clasps, and they don’t have any sharp edges, making them gentle on your gums. They absorb pressure instead of transferring it to your gums, which results in less gum soreness for the patient. They are also much less likely to loosen and move while you’re eating. When one side experiences more force than the other, they simply flex in the middle and don’t get levered out of place. This also makes them less likely to get broken as compared to traditional rigid dentures.

With so many different types of dentures to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which denture is right for you. That’s why it’s important for patients to learn more about the different types of dentures available to them. If you are considering getting a flexible denture, this article will explore what makes them great as well as their flaws so you can make the best decision for your oral health.

Advantages of Flexible Dentures

Flexible dentures provide patients with many benefits, some of which include:

• a soft, thin, and bendable material that makes them more comfortable
• a thermoplastic material is BPA-free and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction
• they are more resistant to staining
• they don’t absorb unpleasant mouth smells
• an aesthetically pleasing and natural-looking smile
• a strong hold with your gums that usually doesn’t require denture adhesives
• less time required to make as compared to traditional dentures
• modern manufacturing techniques that offer patients more convenience since they require less time in the chair

Disadvantages of Flexible Dentures

Because of their name, some patients may worry that flexible dentures sacrifice durability for comfort. This is not true. Flexible dentures can actually be longer lasting than traditional rigid dentures because they absorb and displace pressure better to avoid costly chips and breaks.

However, despite their many benefits to patients, flexible dentures also suffer from drawbacks such as:

• increased costs due to the complicated fabrication process
• if your denture does chip or break, they cannot be repair and instead have to be replaced
• a weaker bite as compared to rigid dentures
• they are more prone to bacterial buildup

Are Flexible Dentures a Temporary or Permanent Fix?

Each patient has their own unique oral needs, and so there is no one-solution-solves-all option when it comes to dentures. While flexible dentures may make the perfect solution for one wearer, they may not provide all the benefits required for another patient.

Typically, flexible dentures make a great short-term or temporary solution, especially for patients who are considering dental implants as a permanent fix for their missing teeth. Flexible dentures can help foster healing after teeth extractions since they are gentler on the wearer’s gums. They also help the wearer adapt to wearing partial dentures with their thin and flexible design. If you have to wait between extraction and receiving your dental implants, a flexible denture can be used to hold a place for the implants while providing the patient with a means to eat normally.

How to Choose the Right Denture

Whether or not you feel that a flexible denture is right for you, it’s important to know all the options available to you. Olds Denture & Implant Centre offer FREE consultations so you can discuss all your denture options with a certified and experienced denturist in order to feel confident when making your denture selection.

Schedule your appointment today by visiting their website or give them a call at (403) 791-3303.