If you’re missing teeth, there are many ways to fill in the gaps in your smile. One way is to use a flipper tooth, also called an acrylic removable partial denture.

When you put it in your mouth, it creates the appearance of a full smile, even if you’ve lost teeth due to injury, removal, or decay. A flipper tooth is a temporary partial denture you can get through your dentist. It’s made by first taking an impression of your mouth with a soft material.

The impression is then sent to a dental laboratory, which uses it to make a customized flipper tooth designed to fit your mouth and fill any gaps in your teeth with prosthetic teeth. The flipper tooth is made from acrylic dental-grade resin.

Flipper tooth benefits

There are some upsides to a flipper tooth that make it an attractive prosthetic tooth option. These include:

  • Affordability. They’re less expensive than most other types of partial dentures.
  • Looks. They appear relatively natural.
  • Quick preparation. You won’t have to wait long for your flipper tooth once your dentist takes an impression of your mouth.
  • Easy to wear. All you have to do is pop your flipper tooth into your mouth.
  • Stabilization of your existing teeth. This makes them less likely to shift.

Alternatives to getting a flipper tooth

If you’re missing one or more teeth, a flipper tooth isn’t your only denture option. Some other alternatives include:

Permanent fixes

These prosthetic tooth alternatives to a flipper tooth are generally long-lasting, but also more expensive:

  • Dental bridges. These are prosthetic teeth that are attached directly to your existing teeth or an implant with cement, crowns, and bonds, instead of being part of a denture.
  • Dental implant. These are posts surgically attached directly to the jawbone to hold a prosthetic tooth.

Temporary fixes

These temporary prosthetic tooth options are less expensive than more permanent fixes, but often last longer than a flipper tooth. They’re also usually more expensive. These alternatives include:

  • Fixed partial denture. These are partial dentures clipped onto your existing teeth, and can only be used if you have healthy remaining teeth to attach them to.
  • Snap-on-smile. A custom-made partial denture that fits over the existing teeth up to the gums without covering the palate.

Our Insurance Partners

Our office accepts most major dental insurance providers. For additional questions regarding insurance, please contact our office.

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