What is a dental flipper?

 

A dental flipper is a removable retainer equipped with false teeth. It’s made up of a denture acrylic colored to mimic your gums. Some get fitted with latches that go around your permanent teeth to keep them in place better.

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A dental flipper is often placed in a patient's mouth as a temporary measure, allowing them to heal from surgeries such as extractions or implants while hiding any voids. This works great as an alternative for patients too young for dental implants or other general surgery. These patients use a dental flipper until the dentist decides that the patient’s jaw has perfected enough to consider more enduring dental solutions.

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People who don’t have the resources to pay for more expensive surgery often decide on a dental flipper as a cost-effective long-term option.

Mostly, a flipper tooth is used for a short time, like when a person is waiting for a more permanent tooth replacement option like dental implants or a fixed bridge. They’re often used for front teeth replacement.

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A flipper tooth is typically not recommended for long-term use because it can be uncomfortable and may sit loosely in the mouth. In some cases, if the patient is not a good candidate for dental implants or a fixed bridge, a flipper tooth will be the best enduring prosthetic tooth option for such a person.

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Sometimes, people use flippers to improve their:

• Appearance

• Speech

• Self-esteem

• Chewing abilities

There are some benefits to a flipper tooth that include:

 

• Affordability: They’re less costly than most other types of partial dentures.

• Looks: They appear comparatively natural.

• Quick preparation: Your flipper will be ready quickly once your dentist takes an impression of your mouth.

• Easy to wear: All you have to do is insert it into your mouth.

• Stabilization of your existing teeth: This makes the existing teeth more stable and less likely to shift.

• Ease to chew: They also make eating and chewing easier and more comfortable.

• Lightweight: Flippers are made lightweight.

 

How to take care of a flipper tooth?

When you use the flipper for the first time, you are advised against eating hard and chewy foods like:

• Raw vegetables

• Toasted bread

• Hard meat

• Nuts and seeds

• Chips

• Candies and gum

The flipper’s acrylic base and prosthetic teeth may get damaged by chewing these foods. Dentists allow eating only soft foods with a temporary denture because they can break easily. Good oral hygiene is critical in taking care of flippers.