Flexible partial dentures benefits and challenges

Introduction. For partial edentities there are several treatment plan options, dental implants are an excellent restorative option for patients with missing teeth, but not all patients can tolerate implants or cannot afford this treatment plan option. That is why partial prostheses are a much more affordable option in the case of partial edentulous teeth. Background and objectives. The purpose of this study is to highlight in particular the benefits of the flexible partial prosthesis viewed individually or in comparison with the traditional acrylic partial prosthesis. Materials and methods. Between May 2023 and May 2024, 20 patients were selected for this study. Of these, there were patients who were already wearers of traditional acrylate prostheses and who were not satisfied with the traditional prostheses, and the rest presented themselves in the clinic with partial edentulousness and were treated for the first time with partial flexible prostheses. Results. The former wearers of traditional prostheses immediately felt the improvement after applying the flexible prosthesis in the oral cavity, and the patients who benefited from the flexible prosthesis for the first time quickly tolerated wearing it. Conclusions. Flexible partial dentures are not for everyone, but they are an excellent and affordable solutions for many edentulous cases. These prosthetics have their pros and cons, but as the materials evolve and improve, so too might the advantages and drawbacks.