Flexible partial denture- material science and a case report

Abstract

Partially edentulous patients need treatment to restore missing teeth and surrounding structures. Partial dentures are mode of treatment for replacing some of the missing teeth in either arch. Partial dentures are made of variety of materials. Some are made of only acrylic material and some are metal framework with acrylic extensions to replace missing teeth. Recently flexible materials are in use to fabricate tooth supported prosthesis. These materials has advantage over conventional metal and acrylic dentures as there is no metal clasp around the tooth, they are more retentive giving life like prosthesis and are translucent by which they match the color of underlying mucosa.It is seen that patient acceptance is more for flexible partial dentures as they are less likely to cause mucosal irritation and pain.