INTRODUCTION

FLEXIBLE DENTURE BASE MATERIAL

• nylon based thermoplastic material

• does not sacrifice function

• preserves aesthetics

• Soft dentures are an excellent alternative to traditional hard-fitted dentures

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FLEXIBLE DENTURES
Sometimes called soft dentures
Used more and more commonly for temporary or on occasion permanent replacement of
missing teeth.
Comfortable and successful alternative to traditional RPDs.
Offers a solution to the pain and discomfort caused by the rubbing of hard acrylic against the
soft tissue of your gums

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FLEXIBLE DENTURES
Made of a form of nylon technically known as super-polyamides, or
flexible polyamides
Tough, resistant, extremely durable and strong
Thermoplastic - change shape under high heat so that it can be
injection-molded
Look realistic, stay securely in place and be more comfortable to
wear.
Instead of metal clasps, they have thin finger-like extensions that fit
or snap into natural concavities in the crowns of the teeth near the
gum line.

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FLEXIBLE DENTURES
It also provides an option for cosmetic improvement of adjacent
teeth that appear elongated due to gum recession:
Only used when traditional dentures cause discomfort to the
patient that cannot be solved through relining
Simplifying design and enabling the flexible nylon resin to act as a
built-in stress-breaker that provides superior function and stress
distribution.

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INDICATIONS
•Patient is allergic to acrylic (there is almost no free monomer
in this material) or base metal alloy (nickel – FRPD can solve
the problem faced with cast partial dentures)

•Patient is reluctant to go for invasive procedures – removal of

large torus

•Patients having tilted teeth – develop an undercut where

rigid partial denture are tough to insert, in such cases flexible
partial dentures are a better option

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INDICATIONS
Ridges where bilateral undercuts are present

High esthetic concern (cases where clasps have to be

given in esthetic zone like on the maxillary canine)

In patients with large bony exostoses that cannot be

removed – FRPD shows good retention

Patients having Microstomia, or due to any other reason if

there is reduced mouth opening

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CONTRAINDICATIONS
• Poor soft tissue condition • Poor quality of periodontal tissue

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CONTRAINDICATIONS
• Less than 3 mm of inter-occlusal clearance • Patient is interested in FPD restoration

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CONTRAINDICATIONS
• Deep overbites (4mm or more) where anterior
teeth can be dislodged in excursive movements

• Little remaining dentition with minimal undercuts

for retention

• Bilateral free-end distal extensions with knife edge

ridges

• bilateral free-end distal extension on maxilla with

extremely atrophied alveolar ridges

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ADVANTAGES
• Soft and inherent flexibility:
• Ability to engage undercuts for retention

• No need for periodic adjustment of clasp to keep them tight

• Low modulus of elasticity

• Will not warp / become brittle

• Clinically unbreakable

• Good biocompatibility (free of monomer and metal)

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ADVANTAGES
• No porosity (no bacteria build-up)

• No gingival inflammation

• More comfortable

• Absorbs small amounts of water to make the denture more soft and tissue compatible

• Less bulky (thinner) and lighter in weight

• Better chewing efficiency

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ADVANTAGES
• Better esthetics:
• Translucent -- allows natural gum to show through, making it invisible

• Clasps rest on the gums surrounding the natural teeth

• Indistinguishable from the gums

• No metal framework

• More retention and stability

• Retention depends on: tissue and a small portion of abutment

• Ease of fabrication compared with cast RPD

• Shorter fabrication time

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ADVANTAGES
• Lightweight, strong and durable

• Almost unbreakable

• Can be made thinner than traditional acrylic dentures, providing more comfort and
confidence for the patient.

• The material used can provide translucency that blends with the natural tone of tissue
for a more natural appearance.

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DISADVANTAGES
• Intended for only provisional / temporary applications

Flexible dentures are generally only used when traditional dentures cause discomfort to the
patient and cannot be solved through relining.

• Flexible dentures tend to absorb the water content and will discolor often.

• Metal frame partial dentures remains the "standard" for long-term restorations.

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DISADVANTAGES
When grinding this prosthesis, proper ventilation, masks and vacuum systems should be used
and the procedure is technique sensitive.

Non-repairable; plastic pontics do not chemically bond to flexible resin.

Price is higher than conventional prosthesis

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DISADVANTAGES
•Since they need to be made bulkier than cast partials, it may take longer to get used to a
flexible partial denture

•It does not conduct heat and cold like metal. Therefore, the patient may not enjoy certain food
like hot soup or ice cream.

•Patients that have periodontal problems may have several teeth that are mobile due to bone
loss. Therefore, the whole area keeps on flexing causing unfavorable forces that in turn result in
more bone loss.

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TYPES OF FLEXIBLE DENTURES
• Valplast (Valplast Int. Corp – USA)
◦ Material: Nylon polyamide thermoplastic

◦ Light weight

◦ Monomer free

• Flexiplast (Bredent – Germany)

• Material: Nylon polyamide

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 TYPES OF FLEXIBLE DENTURES
• Lucitone FRS (DENTSPLY Trubyte – New York, PA, USA)
• Main composition: Nylon linear polyamide

• Monomer free

• Flexite
• Main composition: Thermoplastic fluoropolymer (Teflon) 1962

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TYPES OF FLEXIBLE DENTURES
• Flexite M.P
• Main composition: Thermoplastic acrylic – a special blend of polymers

• Highest impact rating of any acrylic

• Can be relined and repaired

• Easy to adjust

• Flexite Plus
• Main composition: Nylon polyamide thermoplastic

• Monomer free

• Impervious to oral fluids

• May be combined with a metal framework to eliminate the display of metal labial clasps

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TYPES OF FLEXIBLE DENTURES
• Sunflex
• Main composition: Nylon thermoplastic

• Tissue-colored clasps

• More stain-resistant than other flexible acrylics

• Can be relined and repaired

• Pro-flex
• Full and partial denture since 1998

• Can be repaired

• Can be relined using Pro-flex soft liner material

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HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR FLEXIBLE
PARTIAL DENTURE?
• Clean your appliance regularly. Most brands of flexible partials will have a specific cleaner that
is recommended for regular soaking of your new denture.
• Loose particles can be removed with the use of a sonic denture cleaner, or by placing the
appliance under running water.
• Rinse your new dental appliance after eating to remove any food particles.
• Keep the partial in water or in denture cleaner whenever it is not being worn to keep the
surface hydrated.
• Remember to brush your natural teeth and gums regularly as directed by your dentist.

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 CASE REPORT
 A 55–year–old female patient with chief
complaint of bad aesthetics due to missing teeth

 The patient presented with bilaterally missing,

mandibular, posterior teeth. She was very much
apprehensive about the appearance of metal clasp
and did not want any metal prosthesis in her mouth.

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CASE REPORT
 Mandibular missing teeth were restored with
flexible partial dentures.

 She was very much satisfied with aesthetics

as well as with function of the prosthesis.

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CASE REPORT 2
The 35yrs male patient presented with multiple maxillary anterior missing teeth (Kennedys class
IV, modification I) . He was very much apprehensive about the appearance of metal clasp and
did not want any metal prosthesis in his mouth.
Maxillary anterior missing teeth were restored with flexible partial dentures. And he was very
much satisfied with aesthetics as well as with function of the prosthesis.

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