"Previously when you used to visit dentist for replacement of teeth, there were limited choices for you".
The recent advancement in dentistry for replacement of teeth provides you with many choices which are more comfortable and even more aesthetical.
one of the example are
Flexi dentures
Gone are those days when hard dentures used to cause discomfort and apply excess pressure on underlying bone……..
"Flexi dentures" are solution for that problems.
These are dentures …partial or complete which are made of flexible plastic material which has inbuilt flexibility to distribute forces equally on the underlying tissues avoiding a specific pressure point which causes discomfort, and prevent forces on natural teeth.
The color of these dentures is translucent pink which is very much close to the color of gums giving a natural appearance and even clasps are made of same material.
What are the plus points of flexi dentures?
Due to absence of metal attachment (clasp), aesthetics is obvious advantage.
As color of the material is translucent pink it blends with the gums and does not give opaque pink look of acrylic.
In which cases flexi dentures are advised ?
In patients who are concerned about looks and comfort.
In cases were fixed restoration is out of financial reach.
In cases with frequent history of denture breakage.
Irregular jaw bone (bilateral undercuts) which cannot be managed by conventional acrylic dentures.
Patient is allergic to conventional acrylic material(PMMA).
Patient is unlikely to return for routine maintenance visits.
Is flexibility an answer?
Flexible partial dentures have got inbuilt flexibility to disengage forces on individual saddle so as to avoid them from transferring to remaining natural teeth and other side of the arch. There are other benefits of flexibility such as intermittent pressure of denture base massages the mucosa and provides physiological stimulation. Also the relining when needed and if not done promptly, damage to abutment teeth is not as fast as with cast frameworks.
Advantages of Valplast Flexible Partial Dentures
As metal clasp is eliminated, esthetics is obvious advantage.
As color of the material is pink and it is translucent, it blends with the gingival tissue tone and does not give opaque pink look of acrylic.
Indications
Valplast partials can be used anywhere and everywhere cast framework is indicated. But in particular, it finds use in when
Fixed restoration is out of financial reach of patient.
Patient is reluctant to go for invasive procedure.
Patient has high esthetic concerns.
Patient is unlikely to return for routine maintenance visit.
Patient is engaged in high risk situations such as soccer, rugby, security, psychiatric patients etc.
Valplast can and is also used in combination with metal framework as combo dentures where clasp & saddle is made of valplast and major connector & rests etc. in metal as conventional cast framework so as to have esthetic advantages of valplast in clasp region while adhering to all the principles of cast partials.
The only situation where fabrication of flexible partial becomes little tedious is when space available for placement of replacement teeth is far too less occlusocervically as retention of acrylic teeth with in valplast is by mechanical means (by drilling holes in acrylic teeth) & not by chemical means as in case of PMMA. So it requires that much more space to accommodate acrylic teeth.
Does Valplast work in complete dentures too?
There are definite indications of valplast in complete denture cases
Patient is allergic to PMMA
There are bilateral inoperable undercuts, which cannot be managed by conventional acrylic dentures without resorting to surgery.
When there is history of frequent breakages.
Flexibility is normally, not an advantage in complete dentures as retentive peripheral seal can be broken in function (though thinner and lighter than acrylic denture may help its cause). Also a greater than normal shrinkage makes it difficult to fabricate.
How long do they last?
As long as the mouth undergoes slow, healthy, gradual change, the partial wilI remain functional. Only drastic or abnormal changes in the mouth require addition, rebase, or a new partial.
