Flexible Dentures: Pros and Cons for Patients

If you want a modern alternative to traditional acrylic or cast-metal partials for your patients, flexible partial dentures are the answer. Made from lightweight, thermoplastic materials, these appliances adapt to the natural contours of your patient’s mouth, making it the best denture option for comfort.

Their popularity has grown as more patients prioritize esthetics and minimally invasive solutions, though you might still be wondering what exactly the benefits of flexible partial dentures are.

Well, we’re here to break down the pros and cons of flexible dentures. We’ll talk about when they work best, when they might fall short, and how working with a premium dental lab like PRO-Craft can give your patient the best dentures they need and deserve.

The Best Use Cases for Flexible Dentures

Flexible partial dentures are typically made from nylon-based thermoplastics such as Valplast®. These materials are meant to flex when they’re being used, so that the prosthesis relies on flexible cosmetic clasps that use the natural contours of your patient’s mouth to hold it in place, rather than uncomfortable metal clasps or rigid frameworks.

When to Recommend Flexible Dentures

Although flexible dentures are an amazing advancement in dental restorations, just like with any other restoration, they aren’t going to work for everybody. There are patients who will benefit from them more than others.

Common use cases for Valplast® dentures include:

• Patients who prioritize comfort and esthetics
• If you have patients who need an interim or cosmetic solution

• Partial tooth loss where a fixed solution is not indicated
• Patients with cosmetic concerns who want to avoid visible metal clasps
• Metal sensitivities or allergies
• Anatomies with pronounced undercuts that complicate rigid partial designs

Although flexible dentures are great, they still come with their own list of pros and cons. To really make sure you’re getting the best of the best, partner with a top-quality lab like PRO-Craft to really get Valplast® flexible partial dentures that are the right balance of esthetics and function.

Flexible Dentures: The Pros and Cons

Now that you know what flexible dentures are, let’s talk about some of the benefits and drawbacks of flexible dentures. It can be tough choosing between flexible partial dentures vs. metal, but understanding the pros and cons of flexible dentures, and when they work best, can help you make the right decision for your patient.

Pros of Flexible Dentures

First, we’ll focus on why flexible partials like Valplast® dentures are a great fit for many patients like yours.

A few benefits of flexible partial dentures include:

• Aesthetic Appeal: One of the major benefits of flexible partial dentures is their natural appearance. The gum-colored base blends with the surrounding tissue, and because there are no metal clasps, the prosthesis is a lot less noticeable during speech and smiling.

• Comfort & Flexibility: Because the material flexes with your patient's mouth movements, flexible dentures often feel less bulky and more forgiving on soft tissues. Many patients report fewer sore spots than with rigid acrylic designs, especially during initial placement and as they adjust to the new denture.

• Durability: Thermoplastic materials are highly resistant to fracture from drops or accidental stress. While they may wear over time, they are far less likely to crack or snap than traditional acrylic partial dentures.

• No Need for Tooth Preparation: In many cases, your patient’s flexible dentures can be delivered without modifying adjacent teeth. This process makes them an appealing option for patients seeking conservative or non-invasive treatment.

If your patient is considering partial dentures, using flexible denture materials like Valplast® can offer significant benefits. There are also other types of materials you can use for your patient’s restorations, depending on the case.

Drawbacks of Flexible Dentures

While there are many advantages, there are also disadvantages to using flexible dentures.

Some of the drawbacks of flexible dentures include:

• Difficult to Adjust: Once they’re made, flexible dentures are hard to modify, whether it’s relining, rebasing, or repairing them. Since you can’t easily fix them, any issues often require remaking the appliance.

• Limited Longevity: Although resistant to fracture, flexible materials may lose retention or surface integrity faster than metal-based frameworks, especially in patients who chew or bite a lot.

• Not Ideal for All Cases: Flexible dentures may not always offer the best support for certain cases, like patients with complex occlusal relationships or large spans. In these situations, cast-metal partial dentures often provide better long-term stability.

• Retention May Vary: Retention largely depends on soft-tissue undercuts rather than on rests and guide planes. As a result, patients with certain oral structures may experience less predictable retention over time.

Despite all the great things flexible partial dentures can provide, there are still certain cases where metal partial dentures might be the better solution for your patient.

When to Consider Alternatives to Flexible Partial Dentures

Even though flexible dentures can help many of your patients, they aren’t for everyone. Some patients may benefit from something more sturdy or rigid, like metal dentures, to offer better support.

You should consider alternative prosthetic solutions for any of your patients with:

• Long-span edentulous areas
• Bruxism or high bite forces
• A need for future relines, repairs, or framework modification

In these cases, acrylic or metal partial dentures (or even other implant-supported options) may be a better fit.

Are Flexible Dentures Good? How PRO-Craft Can Support You with Your Flexible Denture Cases

Flexible partial dentures offer comfort, esthetics, and conservative treatment that can work for many patients. Understanding what flexible dentures are, along with their pros and cons, can help you make the most informed and patient-centered recommendations.

Successful flexible denture cases rely heavily on lab expertise. At PRO-Craft Dental Laboratory, we support clinicians like you with:

• Valplast flexible partials that are designed for optimal comfort and esthetics
• Guidance on clasp design and retention strategy
• Fast turnaround times and hands-on technical support

Our PRO-Craft technicians will work closely with your practice to ensure proper material selection and predictable outcomes. If you want the best restorations for your patients, we can collaborate with you on a case-by-case basis to determine the best solution.

Ready to strengthen your dental practice?

Contact PRO-Craft today for expert support, or get started with our Dental Practice Starter Kit.