Our Locations

Our Blog

Archive:

Tags

 

Dr. Nichols Nelson, DDS is a top-rated dentist on dentalinsider.com

Reviews 

Testimonials

February 27,2019 Anonymous Dr. Nelson is great and so is his assistant, minimal discomfort and excellent service.

February 24,2019 Carolyn M.  Thanks for being so great with kids.

February 23,2019 Lynette T.  A big shout out to Mandy...best "teeth cleaner" ever!!!

January 28,2019 John U.  Awesome staff!

January 25,2019 Mark W. Everyone was friendly and professional.

December 16,2018 Sherry F, Always happy to see you guys. Personable and professional service.

November 23,2018 Gerald H. Everybody who provided service to me, receptionist, dental assistant, dentist were outstanding!! Would highly recommend to anyone!!

October 31,2018 Therese D. Everyone is always so friendly and welcoming. I wouldn't change a thing with the experience I've had.

Need an Effective but Affordable Tooth Replacement? Look at a Flexible RPD

By Woodland Dental Group
July 14, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
NeedanEffectivebutAffordableToothReplacementLookataFlexibleRPD

People with missing teeth have more replacement options than ever before, including the ever popular but often more expensive dental implant. But there has also been an expansion of choice on the more affordable side of dental restorations. The flexible removable partial denture (RPD) is one such choice. 

Though RPDs have been around for some time, the newer flexible RPD offers some advantages over the more rigid traditional RPD. They’re made of a kind of nylon that’s pliable but also strong and durable. This material is thermoplastic, meaning when heated it can be injected into molds based on a patient’s individual mouth to form an accurate denture base. The gum-colored base can also be formed to cover any receded areas of the gums, which can greatly improve smile appearance.

Older versions of RPDs are made of rigid acrylic plastic that stay in place in the mouth with metal clasps that attach to remaining teeth. The flexible RPD, on the other hand, is secured with finger-like nylon extensions that fit and hold in the natural teeth’s concavities near the gum line. This, along with its relatively light weight, offers a more comfortable fit.

But aside from these benefits, flexible RPDs do have a few drawbacks. Although fracture-resistant, they’re not easy to repair or reline to readjust the fit to accommodate mouth changes. They can stain (though not as much as a traditional RPD), so they require diligent cleaning and maintenance.

We consider the whole category of RPDs as “temporary” restorations, meaning they’re intended as a transitional phase between tooth loss and a permanent restoration like a natural tooth-supported fixed bridge or dental implants. For some, however, the flexible RPD might be a more long-term solution. As mentioned before, to extend their life as much as possible they should be removed daily and cleaned thoroughly. And like any form of denture, they should not be worn overnight.

In either case, flexible RPDs offer an effective way to restore not only dental function diminished by missing teeth but an improved appearance as well. With careful maintenance, they could serve you well for some time to come.

If you would like more information on flexible partial dentures, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Flexible Partial Dentures: An Aesthetic Way to Replace Teeth Temporarily.”