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Flexible denture -A flexible substitute for Rigid Denture

Article in Pravara Medical Review · January 2016

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Deepak Machindra Vikhe Vibhav Saraf

Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences University Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
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 Case Report Pravara Med Rev 2016;8(1)

Flexible denture - A flexible substitute for Rigid Denture.

Dr.Deepak M.Vikhe*, Dr.Veena Saraf**, Dr.Gangadhar S.A***, Dr.Aruna Bhandari****, Dr.Geetanjali Vikhe***** Suraj D Tambe*

Abstract
In an era of implants and fixed prosthesis, removable partial dentures are still a treatment of choice for a
wide range of patients and clinicians. As every other treatment option, removable prosthesis also has some
disadvantages. But with introduction of flexible partial dentures, many of the disadvantages of conventional
acrylic and cast partial dentures are taken care of. Hard and soft tissue undercuts are often encountered
within the fabrication of dentures in partially as well as fully edentulous arches. Athough alteration of
dentures by different relining material can serve the aim, however the different denture base materials stands
in superior position compared to alternative choices. Partially edentulous patients with challenging conditions
like abused ridges, allergy to denture resins, undercuts due to angulated remaining teeth, cancerous lesions
and cleft palate pose a great challenge for the fabrication of a successful removable partial denture. Flexible
denture offers a simpler and cost effective treatment for the oral rehabilitation of such cases. This case study
presents that the patient with long missing dentition in upper and lower arch can be temporary treated
esthetically and comfortably with flexible removable partial dentures.

Key Words: Partially edentulous, Flexible removable prosthesis, Undercuts.

Introduction
The fabrication of a prosthesis for the partially edentulous Unilateral or bilateral undercuts are frequently
arch encounters a special challenge where soft and hard encountered and may complicate successful fabrication
tissue interferences, multiple paths of placement, tilted of denture prosthesis. Management of these situations
teeth and deranged occlusion complicate the treatment conventionally includes alteration of the denture prosthesis
plan. Oral diseases like carcinomas and cysts require bearing area, adaptation of the denture base, careful
partial or complete removal of involved structures which planning of the path of insertion and the use of resilient
further challenges the prosthesis design. Important factors lining material. An alternative denture prosthesis design
like number of abutments, periodontal health and in which optimal flange height and thickness can be
angulations of the abutments, length of edentulous span, achieved is by using flexible denture base material. It is
condition of overlying mucosa, quantity and quality of bone nylon based thermoplastic material that does not sacrifice
in edentulous area determine the selection of prosthesis function and preserves aesthetics. Soft dentures are an
for such patients. Additionally, patient requirements, excellent alternative to traditional hard-fitted dentures.
expectations and affordability of the treatment procedure Traditionally relining dentures with a soft base increases
can’t be neglected. comfort at the cost of chewing efficiency. To make up
for the loss of chewing efficiency, denture wearers would
*
Senior Lecturer, **Reader, ***Professor & Principal, ****Professor & use dentures adhesive which causes its own
HOD, *****General Practioner problems.The aim of this report is to present the
Dept Of Prosthodontics, Rural denta;l College, PIMS (DU) Loni
management of a patient with Flexible Denture.
Corresponding Author: Case Report
Dr.Deepak M.Vikhe A 58 years old male patient was reported to department
Dept Of Prosthodontics, Rural denta;l College, PIMS (DU) Loni of Prosthetic dentistry, R.D.C., PIMS., Loni . His chief
E-mail- [email protected] complaint was to replace his missing upper and lower

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Deepak M.Vikhe et al : Flexible denture - A flexible substitute......... Pravara Med Rev 2016;8(1)

teeth. The patient had lost his dentition due to progressive

periodontitis . Appointments were scheduled.
Intraoral and Radiological examination
Intraoral examination revealed missing 16, 26 in maxillary
arch and missing 35,36,37,46,47 in mandibular arch.(Fig
1,2.) Radiographic examination revealed that the condition
of the remaining teeth was good & can be used. After
thorough diagnosis and necessary investigations like Fig.3. Final Flexible Partial Denture
radiographs and clinical findings, treatment was planned
to fabricate the flexible partial denture.
Fabrication of prosthesis

Fig. 4.-Post-operative Maxillary Arch,

Fig.1.Pre-operative Maxillary Arch.

Fig 5.Post-operative Mandibular Arch.

Discussion and Summary

The most commonly used material for the fabrication of
complete / partial dentures so far has been PMMA. This
material is not ideal in every respect and it is the
combination of virtues rather than one single desirable
property that accounts for its popularity and usage. In
spite of various advancements and research in dental
materials, training, and techniques across the world, the
Fig 2.Pre-operative Mandibular Arch.. fracture, foul smell, and allergy to PMMA could not be
Impression of upper arch and lower arch was made avoided[1].Patients, who start wearing dentures at an
with irreversible hydrocolloid impression material(DPI). early age due to various reasons, often get frustrated
Special tray was fabricated for mandibular arch, border and start searching something better available for them.
moulding was done and final impression of lower was Although, cast partial denture has been a viable substitute,
made with Zinc oxide eugenol Impression paste. Final the requirement of high skill in preparation, technique-
cast was retrived from final impression. Record base & sensitive casting procedure, heavy weight, and visibility
wax occlusal rim was fabricated. Jaw relation was of metal clasp made it more difficult and cumbersome
recorded & mounted on the articulator. Teeth arrangement alternative and net results have not been encouraging[2].
was done.Denture was processed in flexible denture The most recent preference in denture materials has been
material (Fig 3). Flexible partial Denture was placed in the use of nylon-like material for the fabrication of
patient’s mouth . Occlusion and extensions were checked removable dental appliances. This material generally
(Fig 4,5). Recall appointments were scheduled after one replaces the metal and the methyl methacrylate denture
day, one week and two weeks and any minor adjustments base material used conventionally to build the framework
were made up to patient satisfaction. for standard removable partial dentures. It is nearly
unbreakable, esthetically acceptable being colored like

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Deepak M.Vikhe et al : Flexible denture - A flexible substitute......... Pravara Med Rev 2016;8(1)

the gums, can be fabricated quite thin, and can form not answer to complex partially edentulous oral conditions.
only the denture base but the clasps aslso [3]. Since, the This treatment modality is not expensive and is helpful
clasps are built below the height of contours of teeth, for the patients with poor economical background in the
they are practically indistinguishable from the gums that rural region .With Proper Care & prosthodontic
normally surround the teeth. It is much easier for the treatment the patient can enjoy a relatively normal life.
dentist to work with these materials while adjusting the References
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