How Much Does a Dental Flipper Cost?
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A dental flipper is a removable, lightweight partial denture that is often used as a temporary replacement if you have more than one missing tooth to fill the gap.
Made from a denture acrylic resembling your gums, it helps support the replacement tooth/teeth, often after an extraction as the site will need to time to heal.
Most of the time, your dentist will recommend a flipper while until you’re able to get your permanent replacement such as an implant.
How much does a dental flipper cost?
The costs of a dental flipper greatly depend on the number of teeth you need to replace, the materials being used, your geographical location and the dentist you choose. Each tooth, on average, will cost about $350 to $550 each, but the costs can decrease as you add more teeth. If you wanted a higher-end flipper with clasps, for instance, then this could cost about 20 to 40 percent more.
As for those who do have a dental insurance policy, it often falls under the “partial denture” category, according to GuardianLife.com, meaning your carrier could cover the procedure. Talk with your dental insurance company to see if the procedure is covered, and if so, what you would be responsible for. Even if you do not have a dental insurance policy, you may be able to save with a specialized dental discount plan, all of which can be found at DentalPlans.com.
For those who want to go the DIY route, we did find a highly rated “temporary tooth” package for less than $50 on Amazon.com, and while it wasn’t considered a flipper, it was highly reviewed for those looking for a temporary solution.
What is a dental flipper?
Most dental flippers on the market are made from a pink gum-colored acrylic denture to match your natural gum color, whereas the tooth/teeth attached are also made of an acrylic material to match the natural shade and look of your natural teeth. The tooth, connected to a gum-colored plate, is custom fitted at your dentist.
Higher-end models, as indicated above, often have clasps which are able to attach to the natural teeth surrounding the gap to ensure it doesn’t fall out with ease. Working like a retainer, the only major difference is that teeth will be attached to it, but it will work in the same way as you will be able to wiggle it in and out as you please.
Pros of a dental flipper
An inexpensive way to fill in the gaps in the case of a missing tooth/teeth
Before a dentist extracts your tooth, he or she can create a dental flipper before extracting
Can make it a lot easier to eat food
Mimicking your natural tooth, a dental flipper can prevent the teeth surrounding the gap from shifting since it fills in the gap
Easy to take in and out for cleaning
From a distance, they are aesthetically pleasing and are much less than other alternatives
Dental flippers, on average, are available in less than a week in most cases
High success rate and many dentists do recommend them
Cons of a dental flipper
Due to the lightweight material being used, it isn’t as durable as other materials
The design covers your gyms in a way that saliva is not able to clean your gums naturally
If you do not take care of your flippers as you should, your chances of gum disease and tooth decay increases
Over time, people have reported their flippers to become loose, often irritating their gums as it rubs against it
Dental flipper alternatives
According to BauerSmiles.com, dental flipper alternatives may include a mini screw option, bonded Maryland bridge, flexible partial denture, Essix style retainer or a snap-on smile.
Tips to know
Dental flippers are designed as a temporary denture and are only meant to be used while you’re looking to get an implant and/or waiting for your gums to heal. While some may wear them indefinitely, they can break easily and will not last as long as you’d like, even with the proper care.
At night, your dentist will ask that you remove your flippers before going to bed and scrubbing them gently with water and some toothpaste. Overnight, as you sleep, you will also have to allow them to sit in a glass of water with an antibacterial denture tablet. You will also be asked to eat softer foods and use a denture adhesive to help it fit better.
A local dental school may be able to do the work for a fraction of the cost.
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