Missing teeth change the way you think, feel, and act around others, and can damage your gums if not treated in the long term – are flexible partial dentures for front teeth a suitable alternative for expensive prosthetic replacements?

Our general conception of what dentures are is outdated. In truth, there are many options available that are affordable, comfortable, and provide you with the smile you’re looking for. Flexible partial dentures for front teeth can serve as a great alternative for prosthetic replacements. Some dentists even consider them an excellent long-term solution for those who are not ready to commit to full prosthetic replacements.

What do you need to know about flexible partial dentures for front teeth? In this blog, we explore how dentures can serve a role in preserving your smile, from fitting to long-term options.

Weighing Your Options to Replace Missing Teeth

A missing tooth might initially seem like the end of the world. It isn’t. Tooth loss is common globally, and even in the United States many individuals have gone through the same thought process you might be experiencing now.

According to the American College of Prosthodontics, at least 120 million Americans have at least one missing tooth. 36 million Americans do not have any teeth. Tooth loss can happen for any number of reasons, whether that be gum disease, tooth decay, or more serious ailments.

Of course, this doesn’t diminish the fact that tooth loss can be scary at first. That being said, there has never been a better time in history to replace missing teeth. There are plenty of options available for you, each with its own pros and cons.

Dental Implants

When you’re missing a tooth, your gut instinct may be to replace it as quickly as possible. To that end, many consider dental implants before weighing other alternatives that might be more appealing in the long run. However, many misconceptions exist about these replacements.

Dental implants can take anywhere from five to nine months to complete, depending on a patient’s health. On average, these implants are 85-90% successful. The most common reasons that an implant doesn’t take revolve around oral hygiene (like smoking) or excessive grinding of teeth.

There are three common types of dental prostheses that are commonly used today:

• Implant-Supported Crowns – An implant-supported crown is a cap that is added to replace a natural tooth. An implant screw is attached to the jawbone to replace the position of an existing tooth. A temporary crown adheres to the abutment protruding out of the screw. Once the implant site has healed, a permanent dental crown will be placed.
• Dental Bridge – While implant-supported crowns replace individual teeth in a mouth, a dental bridge restores several teeth at once. Unlike a dental crown, this method requires the placement of two dental implants.
• Fixed Dentures – Fixed dentures are required when no remaining teeth exist on the upper or lower arch of the gums. These require the extraction of all remaining teeth and four dental implants.

A dental implant has excellent comfort and stability, but it also isn’t always the immediate fix that you might expect. These can often be cost-prohibitive and are not necessary in every case.

While dental implants are an option for managing tooth loss, they are not the only ones available for you. Flexible partial dentures, even those for front teeth, can provide the same aesthetic benefits without the invasiveness of an implant.

Can Flexible Partial Dentures Serve as a Temporary Prosthetics for Front Teeth?

While flexible partial dentures can function as a standalone solution to missing teeth, they can also be used as long-term transitional temporaries while your gums heal after a dental implant. Additionally, flexible partial dentures can be used during interim periods where repair is needed on crowns or implanted dentures.

Like prosthetic teeth, flexible partials are built to last. These devices are built from a durable nylon that is softer than acrylic, yet can withstand typical wear and tear. Because they are made of softer material, they tend to be gentler on sensitive gum tissue. They do not stain, acquire an odor, or cause allergic responses that come with some metals.

Because dental implants take time to heal, flexible partial dentures can be used in conjunction with them over a lifetime to ensure that your smile remains intact.

Flexible Partial Dentures as Alternatives to Prosthetic Teeth

Prosthetic tooth implants are a costly procedure that isn’t the right fit for everyone. Depending on the nature of your gum health, they also may not be the right alternative for you. Thankfully, they aren’t the only option available.

More people are switching to flexible partial dentures thanks to their durability, comfort, and cost. Because they do not involve invasive procedures, they can be obtained in only a matter of weeks. With proper care, they can last years without requiring a replacement.

Like prosthetic teeth, flexible partial dentures are not the right choice for everyone. Because they are partial dentures, they rely on existing teeth to keep them firmly in place throughout the day. For more extensive tooth loss, full dentures may be required.

For many, the biggest selling point for partial dentures comes from the fact that they are the easiest to wear. They imitate natural teeth better than their metal counterparts so well that aesthetically, many can’t tell the difference. However, their nylon material can also make it more difficult to chew food.

Getting the Right Fit: Flexible Partial Dentures for Front Teeth

If you’re considering using flexible partial dentures as an alternative to prosthetic teeth, it is essential that you get the right fit and the right price. Thankfully, with the right partner, you don’t have to compromise one for the other.

At Dental Lab Direct, we provide our customers with custom-fitted partial dentures from the comfort of their own homes. Simply order one of our kits online, and an impression kit will be delivered by mail. After filling out the included forms and completing impression taking, mail the kit back. In three weeks, flexible partial dentures will arrive at your doorstep, ready to wear and providing a perfect fit that is customized for the unique shape of your mouth.

Flexible partial dentures offer a simple and easy alternative to prosthetic teeth, without the price point or the pain. More Americans are choosing flexible partial dentures for their comfort and ease of use.

Are you ready to start smiling? Contact us today for more information about our services, or shop here to see all of the options available for you.