When you’re missing a number of teeth, it can be awkward or even uncomfortable trying to smile. However, thanks to acrylic partials, your smile can be complete again and you can feel free to unleash a toothy grin whenever you like.
Partial dentures, referred to sometimes as “flippers”, are created by pouring acrylic plastic over a custom mold. Wherever there is a missing tooth in the patient’s smile, artificial teeth are attached to the plastic base. The acrylic portion is worn flush against the roof of the patient’s mouth, and the teeth insert themselves perfectly into the patient’s smile. It will also help keep the permanent teeth from slipping in their spot or moving around and becoming loose.
Acrylic is the most affordable material available for making dentures. As many people wear acrylic partials as a temporary solution before getting implants or a bridge put in, they can be easily thrown away when no longer needed without major costs going to waste. Another advantage to choosing acrylic partials is that more teeth can always be added in. So if these are a temporary solution and the patient plans to have more teeth taken out in the future, acrylic partials can simply be altered without having to make all new dentures.
Your dentist should not begin the process too soon after an extraction is completed because the mouth will be swollen and the mold will not fit properly when the swelling goes down. Acrylic also tends to be quite brittle, so if they don’t fit perfectly, unequal pressure can cause them to crack. If they fit properly, their fragility will not be a problem.
Acrylic partials are still, by far, the best option for temporary partials.
