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Flexibility is our Strength
Purpose
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Background and
Theory of Valplast
Flexible Partials
Case Histories and
Special
Applications
Planning
Successful
Valplast
Restorations
Why Valplast
Flexible Partials?
In late 1940’s, people became more
conscious of appearance.
 Patients demanded more aesthetic
dental restorations

Prevailing Dental
Materials
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Metal and Acrylic
became standard
but only for about
10 years.
Metal frame
design became
more scientific
and standardized.
Limitations of
Materials
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Metal Frames
display the clasps
The partial
requires routine
patient
maintenance and
modification to
remain stable.
Downward Force
As space opens under
saddle, rocking motion
distorts clasps and
enhances hinging effect.
Where the Research
Ends
Throughout the 1910’s, 20’s and
30’s, researchers acknowledged the
damaging effects of rigid partials.
 The research in removable
prosthetics is replaced by research
in new, more aesthetic, and more
stable fixed prosthetic techniques.
 New direction still leaves gap in
economical and simple solutions.

Some Functional
Issues
The Distal Extension
partial is our greatest
challenge, so we will
focus on this
Free-End Design
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The Distal Extension or Free-End
Saddle restoration poses a greater
challenge because it is partly
supported by the tooth and partly
by the residual ridge
The Forces
Fulcrum Line Axis
Longitudinal Axis
Lateral Force
The Goals of Partial
Design
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The goal of framework design is:
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Retain the Partial
Support the partial
The challenge of Conventional RPD
design is to balance the requirements of
retention and support while minimizing
damage to natural dentition and the
supporting ridge.
One of our Better Options
Mesial Driving Force
with RPI Clasp
Drawbacks
Requires precise guideplane prep
 Very accurate surveying required
 Modified or Altered Cast Impression
recommended
 Requires routine maintenance and
reline
 Fails easily with improper
preparation
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Where Valplast Comes
In
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Valplast came into
development during
this time
Improvements are
intended to address
process, functional and
aesthetic limitations
Simple, safe and
effective.
Thinking Beyond
Design
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The Valplast
approach is to
address the
requirement of
retention and
support by
leveraging flexible
base properties
with simple
designs.
Advantages of
Valplast
Aesthetics are obvious. The metal
clasp is eliminated entirely
 The natural translucency blends in
with the gum tissue.
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Functional
Solution
Flexibility acts a stressbreaker to disengage
forces on individual
saddles.
•
Balanced distribution
of forces over the
edentulous areas
•
Elimination of
unnecessary stresses
on remaining natural
teeth
Long Term
Function
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Tissue Conditioning: The Flexibility of the
resin allows the partial to create a gentle
stimulation of the gum improving
circulation and tissue vitality.
Stress Relief: The Flexibility of the resin
eliminates the fulcrum effects that
produces a network of damaging stresses
throughout a conventional rigid partial.
Wolff’s Law: Under normal physiological
stress, bone mass stabilizes at normal
levels. Under excessive stress, mass
increases, and under low stress, bone
resorbs.
Why no Vertical
Stops?
The stop or rest is useful only in a rigid
or semi-rigid frame as part of the
support and balance structure.
 The flexibility of the Valplast eliminates
the need to balance stresses against
tooth surfaces.
 The flexible base is self-balancing.
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Case Histories
All theories mean something only if
they really work in practice. The
following case histories illustrate a
small sample of the practical results.
Case 1: 12 Year
Partial
Photos provided by
Dr. J.F. Warriner, Oklahoma
City
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Note the healthy mucosa
over the tuberosities
Patient received
Valplast Maxillary
partial in
December, 1985.
Partial last
adjusted in March,
1986.
Photos taken May,
1997.
Case 2: 7 Year Partial
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Mandibular
Valplast Partial
inserted in
1990.
Note gingival health
and excellent color.
1989, Immediately
prior to extraction
1997, After partial
worn 7 years
Dense horizontal bone is
apparent at same level
as before extraction
Case 3: 4 Year Partial
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Partial inserted in
1992.
These flanges are very
comfortable and esthetic
Note gingival health
on labial and palatal
sides of abutment tooth.
Typical Cases
Mandibular Partial
Denture
Excellent
esthetics
Teeth #21-25
are retained
Note the flanges
are almost invisible
Maxillary Partial Denture
Mandibular Partial
Denture
Instead of a metal clasp, Valplast
partial dentures utilize a flexible
nylon extension.
Special Applications
Oral Carcinoma
These thin Valplast flanges are less bulky and
more comfortable than conventional acrylic.
Full Denture for Boney
Tuberosity
The flexible flanges are excellent in cases
which have inoperable or large undercuts.
Aesthetic
Correction
Flange provides gingival architecture,
restores speech and improves
mastication efficiency.
Special Needs
Valplast Partials are ideal for
people in high-risk situations
Athletes
 Police and Firefighters
 Military Personnel
 Prisoners and Prison Officers
 Any person who might be exposed to
harm or injury
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Perfection?
Does Valplast solve all the problems of partial
restoration?
We believe that no product can solve all the
problems of partial restoration. The key is to solve
as many as possible in a simple way that is
affordable for the patient. We have focussed on
improvements over conventional partials in
Aesthetics, Function, Durability, and Longevity.
How Long Do They
Last…(Really)?
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For real…as long as the mouth
undergoes slow, healthy, gradual
change, the partial will remain functional.
Patient comfort is a good guide of
function.
Only drastic or abnormal changes in the
mouth require addition, rebase, or a new
partial.
Valplast resin is created so that material
failure does not become a factor in
causing appliance failure
Indications
Valplast partials can be offered
whenever a conventional partial is
considered.
 Additionally, Valplast can be used in
most cases where metal and/or acrylic
is not usable or preferable.
 We have not encountered any limits to
restoration with Valplast not solved by
an experienced technician.
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Indications
Numbers that Mean
Something
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Valplast has a flexural modulus of 475
MPa at Body Temperature
This is the appropriate degree of
flexibility for the partial to function in a
predictable way WHEN DESIGNED AND
FABRICATED CORRECTLY
Other flexible type resins have drastically
different flexural properties and may not
be usable in this application
Recap of Advantages
Aesthetics
 Confidence
 Durability
 Simplicity
 Reliable Lab Processes
 Clinically non-invasive
 Lab-Manufacturer Cooperation
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Clinical Procedures
Submission Guidelines
Perfect Alginate Impression
 Bite Registration
 Try-In
 Insertion
 Adjustment
 Patient Care Instructions
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Impression Technique
 Alginate
impression material
minimizes compression of
alveolar mucosa and muscle
formations
 Mucostatic Impression
Required
Insertion Procedure
 Partial
must be immersed
in hot water prior to
insertion
 Slight increase in flexibility
minimizes the patient’s
reaction to the first
unfamiliar sensation
Adjustment Abrasives
Valplast partials are pink. But that’s all they
have in common with acrylic. If grinding needs
to take place, carbide burs and acrylic
instruments should not be used. Instead, using
a rapid, light shaving motion, use:
•Vulcanite Burs
•Green and Pink
mounted stones
Stain Resistance
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Valplast is Denser than
Acrylic
Translucency will show
surface deposits more
easily
Polishing technique is
critical to long term stain
resistance.
Brown Tripoli must be used
to smooth the surface
properly.
Cleaning
We recommend the use of ValClean because it works better than
anything available in drug stores.
 Eventually, drug store cleaners will
leave a film, and a dull, lifeless
surface.
 Consistent use of Val-Clean will
preserve and even restore the
intended appearance of the partial.
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Repairs, Relines: Myth
and Reality
Teeth can be added either by
welding or injecting to Valplast
partials
 Valplast partials can be relined or
rebased: both are laboratory
procedures
 Relines are less frequent with allValplast partials than with metal
and acrylic or metal and Valplast
combos.
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Tooth Additions
Alginate impression with case in
place
 Remove any deposits, pastes, or
lubricants before pouring model.
 Counter model and bite
 Forward to laboratory for processing
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Small welded additions can be made at
the clinical lab with simple equipment
and proper training
Reline/Rebase
Rubber Base reline impression,
closed mouth
 Pick-up overall alginate impression
 Pour model and forward to
laboratory
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Making Millions Smile