Removal partial dentures (Flexite)
If you have had extractions and need removable partials (partial dentures, flexible plate), Dr Clark has recommended Flexite partials in the past, which are safe from plastic seepage/leaching (see their leaching results here…). In her recent books she also notes that generally plastics no longer pose a problem in terms of seeping, as dentures can now be hardened using a hot water technique and thereafter using a zappicator (food zapper) which further hardens it electronically. However, Flexite is such a superior substance it is still recommended.
The Clifford Consulting and Research lab is an independent testing lab in Colorado Springs, USA that tests hundreds of allergy prone patients. They gave Flexite a 99% percentile rating for patient safety and bio-compatibility. Here is the Flexite brochure.
Your dentist must take a good accurate impression and send it to one of the several high quality labs (see USA labs below) that can do an excellent job fabricating a Flexite partial. The quality of your Flexite partial would be best if it is processed by one of the preferred Flexite laboratories that is experienced with Flexite in the USA (see below). When last checked, the approximate cost of making a full Flexite partial is between US$350 – $450 (without shipping).
Dental labs capable of working with Flexite
In order to process Flexite, a dental lab needs to own a thermo injection machine. Flexite sells Flexite cartridges to fit most thermo injection machines. The plastic has to be heated in an oven before it can be injected into a flask. For labs interested in working with Flexite, these Companies manufacture thermo injection machines: Inductor KFT from Hungary, Valplast from USA, Dental D from Italy, TCS from China, Flexite from USA, Multiflex from USA, Polypress from Europe, Flexiplast from Europe. If you can find a lab that has thermo injection equipment then the Flexite Company can supply the plastic.
US and worldwide:
For more info on contact Lee Soroca – Exec. V.P. The Flexite Company . He can advise of capable dentists and labs working with Flexite. Below is a list of labs he has recommended before:
Preferred Labs in USA:
Cubur Dental Labs79-51 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale, N.Y. 11385, (718) 821-0095
Atten: George Cubur: George uses the Flexite Plus non breakable plastic.
E-mail: [email protected]
Flexi-Dent Lab Inc.
1016 Sycamore Square, Suite 201, Midlothian, Va. 23113
Phone: (804) 897-2455
Atten: Gerard Mosca
thereafter:
Oral Arts Dental Lab
2353 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, Alabama 35804
Phone: 205-533-6670
Atten: Tom Winstead
Oral Tech Dental Lab
258 W. Lorenz Blvd., Jackson, Ms. 39213
(601) 981-2751
Atten: Andy Woods
Roe Dental Laboratory
9565 Midwest Avenue, Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125
Phone: (216) 663-2233
Fax: (216) 663-2237
Atten: Gregg Shreve
David Stubbs Dental Labs.
226 Texas Street, Cedar Hill, Texas 75104
Phone: 800-462-9544
Atten: Jason or David Stubbs
Clements Dental Lab
908 W. Oleander St., Brea, Ca. 92821
1-800-606-2438
Atten: Chet Clements
In South Africa:
Only one lab makes use of Flexite in South Africa. You can reach them by e-mailing Oliver
Valplast (see Kellerlab) is also recommended by some biological dentists and is a suitable option. Just make sure your dentist has a working knowledge of these materials.