Flexible vs Acrylic vs Metal Partial Dentures: Which Is Right for You?

This article is general information. The right partial for you depends on an assessment of your teeth and gums.

If you are missing a few teeth, a partial denture is one of the simplest ways to fill the gaps. What surprises most people is how many types there are, and how different they feel to wear.

This guide compares the four main types of partial dentures, metal, titanium, flexible and acrylic, so you know what to ask about. At Kasper Denture Clinic we make all four in our own lab in Vernon.

What a partial denture does

A removable partial denture replaces one or more missing teeth and clips onto the natural teeth you still have. Besides filling the gap, it helps you chew evenly and stops the teeth around the gap from drifting or tipping over time.

Every partial has the same parts: replacement teeth, a base that sits on your gums, and something that holds it to your natural teeth. The material used for the base and the clasps is what makes each type different.

Metal partial dentures

A cast metal partial has a thin metal framework under the pink base, with small metal clasps that hug your natural teeth. It is the most common long-term choice.

• Strong and thin. The frame can be much thinner than plastic, so it feels less bulky in your mouth.
• Long lasting. Metal frames hold their shape for many years.
• Easy to add to. If you lose another tooth later, a tooth can often be added.
• Clasps can show. Depending on where your gaps are, a metal clasp may be visible when you smile.

Titanium partial dentures

Titanium partials work the same way as other metal partials but use a lighter metal. Titanium is also a good choice for people with sensitivities to other metals, since it is very well tolerated by the body.

Flexible partial dentures

A flexible partial is made from a bendable, gum-coloured material, with clasps that blend in with your gums instead of metal. Valplast is one well-known brand, and many people search for flexible partials by that name.

• Natural look. No metal showing, which makes them popular for gaps near the front.
• Comfortable. The flexible base is light and has no hard edges.
• Harder to adjust. Flexible material is more difficult to reline, repair or add teeth to than metal or acrylic.
• Care matters. They can stain or roughen over time without good cleaning.

Acrylic partial dentures

An acrylic partial is made entirely of hard pink plastic, usually with simple wire clasps. It is the lower-cost option and the quickest to make.

Acrylic partials are often used short term, for example as an immediate partial placed the day a tooth is removed, while your gums heal. They are thicker than metal partials, but teeth are easy to add and they are simple to adjust.

Side by side: which partial is right for you?

• Want the most durable long-term partial? Metal or titanium.
• Worried about metal showing when you smile? Flexible.
• Need something quickly or short term? Acrylic.
• Have a metal sensitivity? Titanium or flexible.
• Expect to lose more teeth in the next few years? Metal or acrylic, since teeth are easier to add.

Your remaining teeth matter as much as your preference. The number of gaps, where they are, and how healthy the anchor teeth are all affect which design will hold best.

How we make your partial

1. Free consultation. We check your remaining teeth and gums and talk through which type suits you.
2. Design. Your partial is designed around your natural teeth and bite.
3. Lab work. It is made in our own lab in Vernon, not sent away.
4. Fitting. We fit it, check your bite and adjust the clasps so it feels secure.

Questions about partial dentures

Are flexible partials better than metal? Not better, just different. Flexible partials look more natural and feel lighter, while metal partials are thinner, stronger and easier to add to later.

Does insurance or CDCP cover partial dentures? Many plans do, and CDCP covers partials with approval before treatment. Our guide to whether dentures are covered by insurance in BC explains private plans too. See our guide to CDCP dentures in BC.

How long does a partial denture last? Metal partials often last many years. See how long dentures last for the signs it is time for a change.

Book a free partial denture consultation

Learn more about partial dentures, or call our Vernon denture clinic, Kelowna denture clinic or Lake Country clinic to book. No referral needed, and you can also send us a message.

Written by the team at Kasper Denture Clinic, a family run denture clinic serving Vernon, Kelowna and Lake Country since 1974.