What is a flipper tooth?

A "flipper tooth" isn't a formal dental term. It's a colloquialism referring to a type of temporary, removable partial denture, usually used to replace one or a few missing teeth. Here's what characterizes a flipper tooth:

• Temporary Nature: It's designed to be a temporary solution until a more permanent restoration (like a bridge, implant, or denture) can be placed. This is usually due to the time required for implant placement and osseointegration, or the planning and creation of a more permanent prosthesis.

• Acrylic Construction: Flippers are generally made from acrylic resin, which is a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-process material. They're lightweight and easily customized to fit the mouth.

• Limited Functionality: They're not as strong or durable as permanent teeth replacements. They may be somewhat less comfortable and less aesthetically pleasing than more permanent options. They're suitable for replacing teeth that don't bear a significant amount of chewing force.

• Attachment Mechanism: They typically use clasps or other retention mechanisms that hook onto adjacent natural teeth to hold the flipper in place.

Essentially, a "flipper tooth" is a stopgap measure, providing a temporary way to improve aesthetics, speech, and potentially some chewing function until a longer-term solution is implemented. It's important to remember that they're not a long-term solution and should only be used as a temporary fix.