What's the difference between a flexible partial denture and a flipper?

Cost and longevity: A flipper is a relatively inexpensive acrylic partial denture with wrought wire clasps that is intended to be used for a limited amt. Of time. A flexible partial denture looks similar but has custom fitted clasps made out of a special type of material that can tolerate some bending. These are intended for longer term wear and may have no metal at all.

The material: A flipper is a partial denture that replaces some missing teeth. It typically is made of rigid plastic and has soft metal clasps. A flexible appliance may have flexible (resilient) clasps that are either gum or tooth colored. Or a soft inset that hugs the tooth. The problem with all of these is they are not supported by the teeth, so they sink into the gums and damage the bone underneath them i.

Partials: A flipper or transitional partial is usually used a temporary treatment modality, then once healing or other things resolve, a new, more stable partial is made.

Temp vs Permannent: A flipper partial denture is more of a temporary acrylic partial that is meant to serve as a vehicle to further more permanent treatment in the future- implants, permanent partial, etc. It often is used to allow the tissue to heal first prior to getting a permanent prosthesis. A flexible partial serves as a permanent denture, especially for those who don't want metal or have teeth that are weak.

Perhaps none...: A flexible partial denture describes the material used to replace the gum portion of the partial. A flipper is used to describe something that most times replaces a few teeth temporarily. A flipper may be made with a flexible material or a rigid material.