DTUS1610

Industry LAB TRIBUNE | June 20106D AD Flexible partials were first devel- oped in the early 1950s. Arpad Nagy of New York commercialized the first nylon-based flexible partial denture system, called Valplast, in 1953. At the time, academics felt that a partial denture must be rigid in order to distribute masticatory forc- es to the remaining dentition. As a result, the usage of flexible plastic partial dentures was limited. Another New York-based company introduced a product in the early 1960s called Flexite. It was similar to Valplast, but offered several vari- eties of materials. As the “Hollywood Smile” became a quest for dental patients in the Nobilium: History of flexible partials 1970s and ’80s, dentists were forced to look for prosthetic solutions that were both esthetic and functional. Flexible partial dentures were becoming an accepted treatment plan for some patients who demand- ed high esthetics and had healthy remaining dentition. In 1999, DENTSPLY International introduced FRS, a flexible partial system based on the “Success” injec- tion system. One objective of this system was to address a common complaint among dental profession- als using flexible partial denture materials: adjustments/polishing. Valplast has a relatively low melt- ing temperature, so when a clinician adjusts the material chairside, the heat of a bur causes the material to melt and form small balls on the surface. These surface defects are difficult to remove, leaving users frustrated. The FRS material has a higher melt- ing temperature, thus this problem was reduced. However, the higher melting temperature of FRS results in more potential for fracture as compared to Valplast. While an acrylic complete den- ture is easily repaired with meth- ylmethacrylate, with a nylon-based flexible partial it is very difficult, if not impossible, to make a perma- nent repair. The growth of flexible partials is now in full swing. The newest material on the mar- ket, introduced in 2008, is called FlexStar, from Nobilium in Albany, N.Y. This material uses advance- ments in plastics technology that result in slightly higher melting temperatures as compared to Val- plast. These features result in a mate- rial that is easier to adjust and pol- ish chairside. In addition, it retains flexibility in the mouth and is virtu- ally unbreakable. There is a limit to the clinical indication for a flexible partial denture. Some patients with severe periodontic problems are not good candidates. However, as long as “Hollywood” is producing smiles, there will be a demand for esthetic and functional removable appliances. (Source: Nobilium) (Photo/Provided by Nobilium) Send us your case study! Have an interesting lab case you would like to share with your peers? To have your case study considered for publication in Lab Tribune, send your 800- to 1,200-word case study and up to 12 high-resolution photos to Managing Editor Sierra Rendon at s.rendon@dental-tribune.com. Authors will be notified of publication and have an opportunity to review the designed case study prior to final publication. Cases will be published pending editor approval and space availablility. LT