Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhat types of removable dentures are there?How should you care for a removable denture, and when should it be replaced?FAQRead nextAcrylic partial denture (flipper): what it is, types of removable dentures and care
Quick summary of this article+
An acrylic partial denture, or flipper, is a removable appliance with a gum-colored acrylic base. Removable options include acrylic partials, often temporary; cast metal partials with clasps, more stable and definitive; flexible partials; and complete dentures. Remove them for cleaning, have adjustments done at the office and schedule regular checkups.
An acrylic partial denture, often called a flipper, is a removable appliance with a gum-colored acrylic base that replaces one or more teeth and can be taken out by the patient. In Brazil it is popularly called a chapa, a word also used for full dentures and sometimes for night guards or removable orthodontic appliances.
In clinical practice, many people ask for a small removable piece for a front tooth, or say their old one is hurting. Understanding each type of removable denture helps you talk with the dentist, compare options and know what to expect in comfort, appearance and durability.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), a dentist with postgraduate training in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry who provides clasp partial dentures and immediate dentures in Mooca, East Zone of São Paulo, explains the models, when each is indicated and how to care for them.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the dental implants page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
What types of removable dentures are there?
The main types are the acrylic partial denture, or flipper; the cast metal partial denture with clasps; the flexible partial denture; and the complete denture for people who have lost all teeth in an arch. Each has its own indications, advantages and limits.
The acrylic partial is simple, quick to make, easy to repair and easy to add teeth to, so it is often used as a temporary, for example while an implant site heals. Because it covers more of the palate or gums, it may be less comfortable long term. The cast metal partial has a thin framework that shares chewing forces between gums and supporting teeth; it is more stable, thinner and more durable, and can be a definitive option for people who cannot or do not want implants or bridges, although clasps may show.
Flexible partials use bendable material with gum-colored clasps for better aesthetics, but are harder to adjust, reline and repair. Complete dentures replace all teeth in an arch and may be immediate, placed on the day of extractions, or conventional, made after healing.
How should you care for a removable denture, and when should it be replaced?
Remove and clean the denture after meals with a dedicated brush and mild soap, over a sink filled with water or a towel, and brush remaining natural teeth carefully, especially those that hold clasps. Avoid hot water, bleach and abrasive pastes. In most cases, the dentist advises removing it at night and storing it clean in a suitable container.
In the first weeks, speech may feel different, saliva may increase and small sore spots may appear; these should be adjusted at the office, not filed at home. Over time, gums and bone change and the denture may loosen. Regular checkups allow adjustments or relines, and very worn or poorly fitting dentures should be remade.
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano makes removable partials and dentures and also evaluates fixed alternatives such as bridges and implants when possible, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays, near Bresser-Mooca subway station, in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
What is a dental flipper?
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A flipper is a removable acrylic partial denture with a gum-colored base and one or more artificial teeth. It is simple and quick to make and is often used as a temporary replacement, for example while an implant heals or a bridge is planned.
What is the difference between a flipper and a metal partial denture?
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A flipper is acrylic, simpler and easier to repair, often temporary. A cast metal partial has a thin metal framework and clasps that share forces between gums and teeth, making it more stable, thinner and more durable, suitable as a definitive solution. The choice depends on the case.
Should I sleep with my removable denture?
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In most cases, the advice is to remove it at night so the gums can rest and hygiene can be done properly. There are exceptions, such as right after an immediate denture is placed, when continuous wear may be advised for a period. Always follow your dentist's instructions.
My denture is hurting: what should I do?
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Remove it for a few hours if possible, rinse with warm salt water and see the dentist for an adjustment. Do not file or cut the denture at home, as this can ruin the fit. Sores that do not heal within about two weeks should be examined.
Acrylic or flexible partial: which is better?
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Acrylic is easier to adjust, repair and add teeth to; flexible is more discreet, with gum-colored clasps, but harder to repair and reline. The choice considers aesthetics, space, bite, the chance of losing more teeth later and patient preference.
Can a removable denture be replaced with something fixed later?
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Often, yes. Removable partials are frequently used as temporaries while an implant or bridge is planned, and even long-time denture wearers can be evaluated for fixed options based on bone, general health and remaining teeth. In some cases, dentures can be secured on implants.
Where can I get a partial denture in Mooca, São Paulo?
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In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays. She makes removable partials and dentures and evaluates fixed alternatives when possible.
