“Is a flipper the same as a partial denture?”
I am a 37 year old female. I want to know if a flipper is the same as a partial denture?
7 Answers
A flipper generally refers specifically to a single tooth acrylic partial denture.
A flipper is more of a temporary solution
Both a flipper and a partial are removable appliances that are designed to fill the spaces left by missing teeth. Partials are typically stronger, last longer than flippers, are made for chewing, and are usually more expensive. Flippers are typically entire made of acrylic only, are designed to be a cosmetic replacement for missing teeth but are not designed for chewing (although many do chew with them). There are two basic types of partials: Tooth born which rests on teeth and is the most stable, and a tissue born which fits between teeth.Most dentists treat flippers as a temporary or the least expensive option to replace a tooth, many patients wear flippers much longer then intended and many are very happy with the results they give but they are not as good a solution as a partial or one of the many non-removable options.
Flipper is a cheaper, more like a temporary dental device to hold the space while doing implants or when one cannot afford a partial denture.
A flipper is an abbreviated or mini-partial denture, replacing only one or two teeth. It is typically used as a temporary fix while waiting for healing of an extraction site or waiting for a child's growth to finish after orthodontics so that an implant or cemented in bridge can be placed.
Flippers are meant to be a temporary solution for someone who is missing one or a few teeth. They are used primarily when someone is waiting for an implant to integrate so that a permanent crown can be placed.
A flipper is a type of partial that typically replaces one to a few teeth. It is less expensive than a traditional cast partial because it is all acrylic vs. a traditional partial that has some metal. Flippers are not usually as comfortable as traditional partials and are often used as an interim restoration. Occasionally, patients love their flipper and choose to not have another partial fabricated.
