Valplast® Flexible Partial Denture
Valplast® partials are flexible, highly esthetic and functional. The strong flexible nature of Valplast® is perfectly suited to the variety of natural conditions in the mouth, simplifying design and enabling the flexible nylon resin to act as a built in stress breaker in order to provide superior function and stress distribution in a removable partial denture.
Flexible Partial Dentures:
The metallic appearance of the clasp may be a limitation when treating patients who are concerned about esthetics. When maxillary posterior teeth are missing and only anterior teeth are present, the placement of metallic clasps on canines may not be acceptable for some patients. Flexible denture material is available in the form of granules in cartridges of varying sizes. It was first introduced by the name of Valplast and Flexiplast to dentistry in 1956. These are superpolyamides which belong to the nylon family. Nylon is a resin derived from dicarboxylic acid, diamine, amino acid and lactams. The injection-molding technique is used for the fabrication of flexible denture base prostheses. Recently, some manufacturers have introduced disc-type materials for flexible partial denture CAD/CAM procedures. Instead of metal clasps, they have thin finger-like extensions which extend into undercuts and act as clasps. They are also an option for the cosmetic improvement of teeth that appear elongated due to the recession of gums and also for patients who are allergic to acrylic.
Valplast® partials are flexible, highly esthetic and functional. The strong flexible nature of Valplast® is perfectly suited to the variety of natural conditions in the mouth, simplifying design and enabling the flexible nylon resin to act as a built in stress breaker in order to provide superior function and stress distribution in a removable partial denture.
Valplast® provides a higher standard of function by using the flexibility of the material to balance masticatory forces over the entire supporting ridge instead of individual support points. As a result, the balanced distribution of forces can often lead to longer lasting appliances that may not require frequent relines or tooth additions.
Valplast® is the optimal choice anytime partials are indicated or the patient prefers metal-free restorations.
Validations
Characteristics of Valplast®
“…It has a lower elastic modulus than acrylic resins, whereas its flexural strength and flexural modulus are only approximately one third as high. It is thus soft, easily deformable, and elastic. Its high amount of flexion means it is unlikely to fracture; however, denture bases will not break even if a large occlusal force or stress is applied. Its excellent elasticity means it can be used even in abutment teeth with a large undercut. It is only available in a single color, but as this is semi-transparent pink, it easily blends in with the color of the gums, giving it the esthetic advantage that the border between base and gums is difficult to distinguish. It can be used to make thinner denture bases than those possible with acrylic resins, and is also of lower specific gravity, minimizing discomfort when dentures are worn. It is useful for spare dentures, or for dentures worn only when going out. It possesses sufficient strength and elasticity not to fracture even under the application of maximum stress. Colorless and odorless, it has no risk of allergy, and is highly resistant to both acids and alkalis. There is almost no change in its surface roughness even after immersion in glutaraldehyde or sodium hypochlorite. It may also be used to provide retention when inserting a denture base into the undercut of the residual ridge…”
(Fueki et al., Clinical application of removable partial dentures using thermoplastic resin. Part II: Material properties and clinical features of non-metal clasp dentures, Journal of Prosthodontic Research, Vol. 58, pp71-84, 2014)
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