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Product Profile: Bayflex Partial

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Bayflex Partial
The Flexible Partial Can Now be Relined and Repaired!

Have you ever made a RPD for a patient only to find out he or she wears it only when he or she sees you? “It’s not comfortable,” “it looks bad”… we’ve all heard the complaints. When a patient’s treatment plan calls for a conventional metal partial, why not consider a flexible partial?

Introduced in the 1950s, flexible partials grew in popularity until it was discovered that they stain easily and cannot be relined or repaired. This caused patient dissatisfaction and frustration among dental professionals. Due to advancements in aesthetic materials and techniques, flexible partials are now more stainresistant, they don’t warp and they won’t become brittle.

The most notable advancement is that Bayflex flexible partials can be repaired. To be able to reline or add teeth to these appliances is a major factor in a patient’s decision-making process. It is even possible to add flexible clasps to an existing acrylic denture. Aesthetically, your patients will benefit from the natural tissue design and high degree of translucency present in flexible partials. They blend well with the surrounding periodontal structures and dentition.

Most patients will quickly adjust to a flexible partial. Its thinness provides a greater level of confidence and comfort when speaking, chewing and smiling. The material allows for more feeling and taste sensation, and its flexibility absorbs a portion of the shock from occlusal and masticatory forces. It is the perfect option for patients who might be sensitive to acrylic, as it is monomer-free, biocompatible and hypoallergenic.

A flexible partial is as durable as a conventional metal partial. Nylon-based RPDs actually withstand compressive forces better than their acrylic counterparts. They will not deteriorate chemically when in contact with fluids, bacteria or the physical environment of the mouth.

The cost of a flexible partial is comparable to that of a conventional partial. However, with a flexible partial there is no tooth preparation or metal frame try-in, thus less chairtime. Most importantly, your patients will love you for recommending these RPDs, and are likely to refer their friends!

Your design options can be unilateral or bilateral, and these appliances are perfect for single tooth RPDs (Nesbit). Flexible RPDs can also be made with a metal frame or metal mesh (i.e. hybrids) giving you the option of a firm vertical stop without unattractive metal clasps.

Patients with the following classifications make strong candidates, will likely not require a try-in and have high case acceptance rates:

  • Kennedy Class III (unilateral bounded partially edentulous)
  • Kennedy Class IV (bilateral bounded anterior partially edentulous)
  • Interim prostheses (popular for healing stages of implant cases) A hybrid flexible partial (metal framework combined with Bayflex) is appropriate for the following:
  • Kennedy Class I (bilateral free ended partially edentulous)
  • Kennedy Class II (unilateral free ended partially edentulous) Tips to ensure a successful case:
  • Use alginate impression material.
  • Send your lab a poured model showing the vestibular borders, retromolar pad (for cases with distal extensions), a bite registration, opposing model, gingival shade desired and tooth shade.
  • Just before delivery, submerge the appliance in hot water for approximately one minute. This will increase the flexibility and allow for excellent adaptation upon insertion.
Company Contact
This article is provided compliments of Bayshore Dental Studio. A fullservice lab, ranked among the top seven percent of labs in the United States, offering high quality crown and bridge, as well as a full complement of removable services. For more information, call 877-954-6243 or visit www.bayshoredentalstudio.com.
Dentaltown Magazine
October 2025
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