Clinical review: Dr. Samreen Ejaz, BDS, RDS ·
For some missing teeth, not all
This denture fills particular gaps while your own teeth stay in place. A flexible design holds onto the remaining teeth and gums differently from an acrylic or metal-framed partial denture. Where the gaps are, and how many there are, still decides whether it’s a sensible choice for you, so the examination comes first.
Support matters as much as looks
Dr. Samreen checks your remaining teeth, gums and bite before suggesting a design. Ask which teeth and areas will carry the load, how the denture stays in and what material the lab will use. Clasps that are harder to see can look nicer, but that doesn’t automatically mean the denture is better supported.
Putting it in and wearing it
We take records and fit the denture in stages to get the teeth in the right place and make sure it seats properly. Learn the way it’s meant to go in and come out, and never force it. Tell us if it feels tight, rubs, or moves when you eat, so we can adjust it.
Cleaning and future repairs
Use a cleaner and storage method suited to the material. Before choosing, ask whether it can be repaired, relined or have a tooth added if you lose another one later, because this varies between designs. Keep looking after the natural teeth that hold it in place. They still need brushing and regular check-ups.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Questions about flexible partial dentures
Is a flexible denture more comfortable for everyone?
No. Comfort depends on the design, the support and the fit in your own mouth, not on flexibility alone.
Can a tooth be added if I lose another one?
It depends on the material and design, so ask about this before you choose.
This is general information. What’s right for your tooth depends on what Dr. Samreen finds when she examines it.
Background reading: Guy’s and St Thomas’: dentures. These are overseas sources, so their prices and rules don’t apply here.