A dental flipper is not a permanent solution to missing teeth. As a restorative dentist, I work with patients using a variety of “solutions” to help with the challenges of missing teeth and I’m here to tell you that dental flippers are not a great option.
A dental flipper can help in a pinch, especially if you’re just looking to cover up missing teeth for looks; however, dental flippers come with drawbacks you should be aware of.
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What is a Dental Flipper
So why isn’t a dental flipper a permanent solution? Dental flippers are made from acrylic plastics. They can sometimes have some wires, but this isn’t always the case.
Acrylic teeth are not the most durable, and dental flippers are mainly used to hide the appearance of missing teeth, not to offer a comparable replacement.
Ideally, flippers should be used as a very temporary solution while a more permanent solution, like dental implants, is underway.
Disadvantages of a Dental Flipper
While dental flippers can be a quick fix, they come with several disadvantages that can affect your comfort and daily life, so don’t plan on staying in them for long!
Comfort and Fit:
Dental flippers are not custom-fitted in the same way that permanent solutions like dental implants with permanent teeth are. Other temporary solutions, such as dentures or partial dentures, are also better custom-fit than flippers.
This can lead to discomfort, sore spots, and irritation in your mouth. They can also feel bulky and awkward, making it challenging to adapt to wearing them.
Durability:
As previously mentioned, flippers are made from acrylic, which is not as durable as other dental materials. They can easily break or wear down, especially if subjected to regular and frequent use.
Functionality:
While flippers can help restore some level of function, they are not as effective as permanent solutions. They can make eating and speaking more difficult, as they might shift or move around in your mouth. This instability can be frustrating and inconvenient.
Patients experience similar frustrations and problems with dentures.
If you’re missing more than just one or two teeth, dental flippers can feel especially inadequate. Full mouth dental implants are a permanent solution designed to restore your full smile both in functionality and in looks.
Maintenance and Risks:
Dental flippers need to be kept clean to help reduce the risk of gum disease or tooth decay.
They need to be removed and cleaned regularly to prevent bacterial build-up and to keep them looking their best.
It’s also important to note that wearing flippers for extended periods of time can put individuals at risk of gum recession. Lastly, missing and bad teeth in general can also come with health risks.
Permanent Solutions to Missing Teeth
The good news is that dental flippers are not the only solution to missing teeth; nor are they a necessary step when waiting for a permanent solution like dental implants.
At Nuvia, you can get new, permanent teeth in 24 hours and skip on all the drawbacks of dental flippers and other temporary teeth replacements.
Permanent Teeth in 24 Hours
If you’ve heard of dental implants, you may have heard how the traditional method goes (Don’t worry, this doesn’t have to be your experience!).
Traditionally, it can take up to 10+ months to get permanent teeth after the implants are placed. In the meantime, patients are given temporary acrylic teeth (a slight step up from a dental flipper) until their permanent teeth are ready months later.
While this is likely what it will be like getting dental implants the traditional way, this is NOT what your experience will be like at Nuvia.
At Nuvia you don’t have to wait 10+ months. You get your custom fit, permanent teeth 24 hours after your dental implants are placed. No dental flippers, no temporary teeth. Just the smile you’ve been waiting for.
The Difference Between a Dental Flipper and Permanent, Zirconia Teeth
There are many differences between a dental flipper and permanent, zirconia teeth.
The first is that a dental flipper is removable and temporary, while permanent teeth are non-removable and are permanent - a much more similar experience to healthy, natural teeth.
The second biggest difference is that dental flippers are made from acrylic plastic; therefore, they are prone to breaking and chipping.
Zirconia is an incredibly durable material that is very strong and is not as prone to breakage as acrylic is.
Lastly, the two provide very different experiences in terms of functionality. If you’re missing teeth, you know how difficult it can be to eat foods like steak, salad, apples, and much more.
Dental flippers simply aren’t able to fix that problem the same way that dental implants with permanent, zirconia teeth can.
Because they are fixed in the jawbone, dental implants with permanent teeth have a similar bite force to natural teeth. A dental flipper is not fixed in, therefore it does not provide a bite force on par with dental implants or natural teeth. In fact, the majority of the time, flippers are not made to function so it isn’t advisable to eat with them.
They may help looks-wise, but they aren’t made to function like natural teeth.
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It’s Time to Do Something For You
I often have patients come in that have been waiting for dental implants for years and they’re finally getting to change their life for the better.
Why do they wait so long? For many, it’s because they’ve spent so long putting others' needs before their own.
I can’t recall the number of times patients have questioned “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
You don’t deserve the struggle of missing teeth or the headache of temporary solutions.
Download the dental implant cost guide to get information about financing plans, how the cost of dental implants compares to other solutions, and what factors impact cost.
The dental implant cost guide answers some of the most common questions patients have about insurance, pricing, and payment plans. It also details how dental implants may save you money in the long run considering how the cost of other procedures can quickly add up.
Download the Guide Here
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8778384/
