Modern flexible dentures - pros and cons of placement

Invasive methods are not the only way to restore the maxillofacial apparatus, both aesthetically and practically. Flexible dentures can be safely called one of the most effective solutions, which allows you to quickly restore several teeth or the entire jaw in a non-invasive way. This makes this option one of the most popular among patients.

Design features of flexible dentures

The flexible denture for the entire jaw is a new generation of removable dentures, which takes into account all the shortcomings of its predecessors, thanks to which the highest level of comfort for patients is ensured. This class of prosthetic products has a number of unique features, including:

High utilization rates;
Comfort during long-term wear;
Ease of adaptation to the shape of the jaw;
Ability to be used without removal at night.

In combination with the affordable cost of the design, this makes the use of this method of prosthetics one of the most comfortable for people of different ages, regardless of the degree of adentia. Installing a high-quality removable prosthesis will allow you to forget about the difficulties associated with chewing food for a long time.

What is the difference between flexible and standard dentures?

When contacting a specialist, the patient is usually given a choice of several different prosthetic options. The most common alternatives are soft removable dentures or their counterparts made of rigid materials. And then the question arises: on the basis of what to choose, which prosthesis to install.

The first difference between these two options lies in the convenience of the fit of the denture in the oral cavity. In this matter, rigid prostheses are significantly inferior to flexible ones due to their low mobility. Models made of soft polymers have greater mobility, which makes it easy enough to adapt to the shape of the jaw and provide comfort both during normal wear and under load when chewing.

However, this same mobility has a disadvantage compared to rigid models. And it lies in the resistance to wear and tear. Due to their low mobility, models made of rigid materials are much easier to bear mechanical loads and, as a result, are able to cope effectively with their tasks for a longer period of time without the need for replacement.

Application of modern materials in construction

One of the most striking representatives of polymers for the manufacture of soft dentures is a special mixture of acrylic resins and monomers Akri Free, patented by a large Israeli dental company. This material has a medium stiffness, which allows for a perfect balance between a comfortable fit and durability of the denture.

Thanks to the technical features of the material, prostheses made of it can be manufactured with the highest possible precision, which allows not only to ensure full compliance with the shape of the jaw, but also to avoid the accumulation of plaque during use due to the perfectly calibrated shape.

Indications for flexible prosthetics

There are a number of situations when soft lower dentures or their analog for the upper jaw becomes the most successful option. The main indications for the use of Akri Free are:

Partial or complete adentia of the patient;
Presence of allergy to other materials;
Rejection of metal prostheses by the body;
Epilepsy diagnosed in the patient.
Bruxism or hypertonus of masticatory muscles.

In these situations, the use of this method of prosthetics becomes the most comfortable and safe for the patient.

Contraindications to the use of the technique

Like any other medical intervention in the body, flexible removable dentures have a number of contraindications that make their use impossible for the patient. Critical ones include the presence of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, as well as the presence of disorders in which the removable structure in the oral cavity can be harmful to health.

It is also important to realize that the presence of a removable denture requires more careful hygiene, as well as regular visits to a specialist to examine the gums. Therefore, it is not recommended to use Akri Free or other analogs if a person is unable to perform at least minimal oral care on his own.

The main advantages of a flexible prosthesis

In addition to the previously outlined aspects, the flexible denture of the upper jaw has a number of other advantages that favorably distinguish it from alternative solutions:

Shortened adaptation period to wearing the denture;
Affordable cost of prosthetics;
Complete hypoallergenicity of the material;
High indicators of reliability of fixation on the jaw.

Even if it is the first experience of wearing a removable prosthesis, the patient will not have a feeling of discomfort or difficulties in the process of caring for the structure.

Disadvantages of polymer constructions

Despite all the obvious advantages that this format of prostheses possesses, it is not without its disadvantages. First of all, it is worth noting that it is not able to prevent bone degradation in places where there are no teeth. For this reason, there are recommendations to fix removable prostheses on implants.

In addition, if you compare Akri Free with cheaper nylon, it will be somewhat stiffer, which can cause temporary discomfort when you are not used to it. However, this disadvantage is quite subjective, as it is completely overridden by the ease of patient adaptation and higher strength characteristics.

The procedure for fitting flexible dentures

It is important to note that the process from the first visit to the dentist to the completion of prosthetics when using flexible prosthetic structures is significantly faster compared to any other alternatives. Several main stages can be distinguished:

Initial consultation and selection of the type of prosthesis;
Sanation and professional cleaning of the oral cavity;
Taking impressions of the teeth for accurate fabrication;
Fabrication of dentures in the laboratory.
Try-on and fitting of the finished product.

The absence of the need for implants can significantly accelerate the process of restoration of the maxillofacial apparatus.

Key alternatives to flexible dentures

Currently, there are several different solutions that can replace flexible dentures. These include, first and foremost, bracket removable dentures, which have a rigid metal base (bracket) in their construction. While they are considerably more durable, they are less comfortable to wear and can also be visible when smiling due to the installation of clasps – special fasteners that are specific to this type of denture.

Cost of flexible dentures in Moscow

At the moment, the soft upper denture has a cost that allows to make the restoration of the maxillofacial apparatus the most accessible to a wide number of patients.

Opinion of specialists about the use of flexible prostheses

If we consider all the existing options for prosthetics, then experts agree that the most successful solution is implantation of teeth, as it avoids bone degradation. However, if it is impossible for one reason or another, polymer flexible prostheses become an excellent alternative.