Acrylic Upper Partial Denture Vs. Flexible

Both acrylic and flexible dentures have positives and negatives for a person to consider. By understanding these differences and consulting with a dentist, a person can better choose the dentures that best serve his needs.

A partial upper denture is a device that replaces some of a person's upper teeth. While a full dental plate replaces all of the upper or lower teeth, a partial denture is used to fill in gaps between healthy teeth. Partial dentures are also referred to as a bridge.

Dentures made from acrylic have the advantage of being inexpensive. However, the hard acrylic causes many of the common complaints about dentures such as movement and the resulting sore spots in the mouth. Acrylic dentures are also easy to damage; dropping them onto a hard surface such as a sink can cause them to crack.

The flexible denture is a denture that has a hard frame but uses a softer material to fit to the gums. This makes the flexible denture give slightly, which reduces or eliminates sliding. The flexible material better adheres to the wearer's gums, making the denture look more natural.