Flipper teeth are false teeth that fit into the mouth like partial dentures. They include the false teeth secured to an acrylic resin base. Unlike partial dentures, flipper teeth generally are considered temporary replacement teeth until the patient can get a traditional partial dentures, bridge, or dental implant to replace the missing tooth.
The fake teeth for this type of temporary teeth are made from porcelain or plastic. They are not as strong as the false teeth that are used for regular dentures.
Even though it may seem like a waste of money to buy a flipper tooth that will need to be replaced rather than buying a partial denture, bridge, or implant right away, there are several reasons why a flipper tooth can be a good investment. Cost is a common reason why someone may need to use a flipper tooth instead of getting an implant, partial denture, or bridge right after teeth are extracted.
A flipper tooth can be bought for a fraction of the cost of other tooth replacement methods. Even if the person would like to get a dental implant or other permanent tooth replacement, the flipper tooth can fill the gap while the person saves money to get a better tooth replacement.
If an adolescent loses a permanent tooth due to decay or damage, the parent may want to buy a flipper tooth for the child until they are older and can take care of a regular partial denture or decide to get an implant. A flipper tooth is much easier and cheaper to replace than a denture if the child damages it.
The flipper tooth ensures that the adolescent’s remaining teeth won’t shift due to the gap which can have a negative impact on the child’s bite. Having a tooth replacement can help prevent teasing and protect the child’s self-esteem by hiding the gap from peers.
When teeth are pulled, the gums swell and can change shape over the following weeks. If a person rushes to get dentures immediately after teeth are pulled, there is a good chance that the dentures will not fit snuggly after the swelling has subsided.
After a tooth is pulled, the person can have a flipper tooth made to fill in the gap while waiting for the area to heal and swelling to go down completely. Then, the person may choose to get fitted for a partial denture. This way, the dentures will have the best possible fit.
A flipper tooth may not fit as securely as a partial denture. Like dentures, a flipper tooth can be removed and cleaned every night. This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria that can cause odor. Since flipper teeth are not as sturdy as regular dentures, they need to be handled with extreme care to prevent them from breaking.