Flexible Dentures: Materials, Properties, and Patients Satisfaction

Abstract

Tooth loss, stemming from a variety of causes such as trauma, dental decay, gum diseases, and oral pathologies, extends its impact beyond physical discomfort, infiltrating psychological, functional, and aesthetic realms. Modern advances in dentistry provide an array of solutions for restoring partially edentulous mouths, tailored to individual patient needs. Options encompass removable partial dentures (RPDs), fixed bridges, and dental implants, each offering distinct advantages. RPDs, while a cost-effective choice, may face limitations with metal-based solutions due to poor mechanical properties and insertion challenges in undercut areas. Acrylic-based RPDs, while economical, can pose discomfort over time, failing to adapt to mouth contours. Flexible dentures however are a comfortable, adaptable alternative crafted from flexible thermoplastic materials like polyamides. These materials deliver strength, aesthetics, and biocompatibility, enhancing patient comfort and providing a natural appearance. This study taps into prominent medical databases like PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane, utilizing an extensive range of medical terminology combinations to yield insights valuable to dental professionals and researchers. The flexible denture materials, particularly polyamides, present a pioneering avenue for prosthodontics, delivering a fusion of strength and aesthetics. Characteristics like high creep resistance and solvent resistance confer wear resistance and strength, counterbalanced by challenges related to absorbency and thermal expansion. Patient satisfaction studies favor flexible dentures for functional comfort and cleaning, even though aesthetics exhibit varying perceptions, with some patients favoring their translucency and adaptability, while others express a preference for acrylic dentures.