A Review: Flexible Removable Partial Dentures


The choice between several treatment options for replacing missing teeth is influenced by clinical, dentist- and patient-immanent factors.

Replacement of missing teeth is one of the most important needs for patients attending clinics to restore esthetics and/or function.

Many treatment modalities are available for replacing missing teeth; removable partial denture, fixed partial denture or dental implant. Each modality is a possible treatment option and has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Removable partial dentures became popular many decades ago with the introduction of acrylic polymers and chrome cobalt alloys in dentistry. Many patients choose removable partial dentures due to factors ranging from cost to psychology.

See also: DENTAL ANESTHESIA : Mandibular Anesthesia : Gow-Gates technique


Dr. Walter Wright (1937) introduced Polymethyl methacrylate as a denture base material which became the major polymer to be used. Since ages, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been used to fabricate the dentures.

Metal cast / metal frame / metal base dentures are also fabricated to restore the defects. Some of the problems with acrylic are difficult to address, such as insertion in undercut areas, brittleness of methyl methacrylate which leads to fracture, and allergy to methyl methacrylate monomer.

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Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences
Dr. Atulya Sharma / Dr. Shashidhara H.S