What Is a Flipper Tooth? Cost, Pros and Cons
If you’re missing one or more teeth due to decay or trauma, you can take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your struggles. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, an educational and scientific association that supports the needs and interests of prosthodontists in the field of dentistry, more than 178 million people in America are missing at least one tooth. And approximately 40 million Americans have lost all of their teeth. Not surprisingly, many of these same individuals report no longer being able to enjoy their favorite foods. What’s more, several have claimed that the state of their oral health has negatively impacted both their professional and social life.
For these reasons, many of these same individuals have decided to turn to various forms of dental restoration to improve not only their smile but also the way that their teeth function. To that point, two of the most common dental restorations for those missing one or more teeth are dental implants and dental bridges. While they both boast high success rates and have helped countless people, they are expensive. As a result, these particular dental appliances might be out of reach for low-income individuals or those on a fixed income. Fortunately, there are other less expensive options for those wanting to improve their smile and continue eating the foods that they love.
What is a Flipper Tooth?
For those who are not familiar with a dental flipper, it is a temporary partial denture commonly used to fill the void left behind by a front-facing, single missing tooth. They can benefit those who are missing all of their front teeth as well. In short, a dental flipper is a removable retainer comprised of one or more fake teeth. These dental appliances are placed along the roof of an individual’s mouth, also known as the palate, or can sit on their lower jaw. In either case, those who wear these dental appliances will find that they not only provide them with a full smile but also makes it easier for them to bite and chew their food more thoroughly.
Cost of Flipper Tooth in Los Angeles
Having answered the question of what is a flipper tooth and also the pros and cons associated with wearing them, let’s take a moment to explore dental flipper cost in one of California’s most populated cities, Los Angeles. Studies show that the cost of dental flippers, depending on the number of teeth an individual is missing, can be anywhere from $300 to $500. By comparison, a single dental implant, according to a study published by Affordable Dental Health providers, is between $1,395 and $3,500.
Similar savings are also available to those who are willing to choose a dental flipper over a dental bridge. Depending on the number of teeth an individual is missing, a dental bridge can be anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000, according to some studies. So although dental flippers are not a permanent solution for resolving tooth loss as they are nothing more than temporary dentures that can easily be inserted and taken out of one’s mouth, they do represent the more budget-friendly option.
Single tooth Dental Flipper and Denture
If you’re among the 9 to 15 percent of Americans who suffer from dental anxiety, a feeling of uneasiness concerning an impending dental appointment, you will be happy to know that getting fitted for a dental flipper is easy and virtually painless. The same also applies for those needing a complete flipper denture due to having lost all of their teeth. Before being fitted with your first dental single-tooth flipper or flipper denture, all dentists, including those at Southland Dental Care, will start by taking a dental impression and sending it to a dental lab. As far as the materials used to make these dental appliances, they consist of pink acrylic that resembles gum tissue and one or more fake teeth made from white-colored acrylic. Unlike the porcelain teeth that makeup temporary dentures, acrylic teeth are stain-resistant and less susceptible to fracture.