More than 120 million adults in the United States are missing at least one tooth. While many have lost a hard-to-see molar, others find themselves confronting a prominent gap in their smile caused by an absent front tooth. If you’ve lost one or more of your front teeth, licensed denturists Dr. Tad Burzynski and Dr. Andrew Burzynski of Denture In can help you restore your smile with a removable temporary “flipper,” an inexpensive custom denture for immediate tooth restoration. Call their office in Bend, Oregon, today, or schedule an appointment online any time.
Flipper dentures are removable temporary tooth replacements designed to fill a gap in your smile made by one or two missing teeth. A flipper usually consists of an acrylic, gum-colored retainer plate that fits into the roof of your mouth or inside your lower jaw. It contains one or more acrylic teeth that are shaped to fit your bite and look like your natural teeth.
When you pop a custom-made flipper into your mouth, it’s effectively secured by your natural teeth. In some cases, flippers are made with clasps that attach to your natural teeth, much like removable partial dentures.
If you’ve lost one or more of your front teeth due to injury, decay, or illness, a flipper can help you fill the gaps in your smile right away, so you don’t have to feel self-conscious or avoid normal activities while you wait for a permanent solution.
Using an impression of either your upper palate or your lower palate, the team at Denture In can create a flipper quickly — usually in just a day or two.
If you know in advance that you have to have one of your front teeth removed because of excess decay, a flipper can be made ahead of time so you won’t have to go without teeth for more than a day or so as your gum tissue heals.
Besides providing a quick, easy way to restore a natural-looking smile, flipper dentures offer a variety of benefits, including:
Wearing flippers helps stabilize your natural teeth and prevents them from shifting in your mouth as you wait for a permanent restoration.
Flippers are generally considered the most comfortable type of temporary denture available.
Flippers are easy to put in and take out; they’re also easy to replace.
Flippers are the least expensive type of temporary dental restoration available, making them an ideal solution for many adults.
Because flipper dentures partially cover your gums, it’s essential that you clean both your appliance and your underlying gum tissue properly every day. Flipper dentures that aren’t cleaned properly can quickly compound your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
To maintain optimal oral hygiene, clean your flippers after each meal as well at the end of the day. After rinsing them under running water to remove any loose food particles, brush away any remaining residues with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild toothpaste made specifically for dentures.
To find out if flipper dentures are right for you, call Denture In today, or schedule an appointment online any time.