Why Sunflex?
 
Thousands of dentists around the world have made the switch to Sunflex Partials. In comparison to acrylic partials, Sunflex is lightweight, more comfortable and practically invisible, with no metal clasps. When compared to other flexible options, Sunflex offers the perfect degree of flexibility, is more stain-resistant and does not discolor, warp or become brittle, providing maximum retention, stability and esthetic appeal. They are also the easiest flexible partials to adjust in-office, and teeth and claps can be added at a later time without demarcation lines. These advantages make Sunflex one of the finest solutions in removable partial denture treatment available today. Sunflex was named a Top 100 Product for 2008, 2010 and 2011 by the 150,000 dentists that read the leading dental magazine in the US -- Dentistry Today.
With Sunflex, you can create metal-free, lightweight flexible partial dentures that provide a natural tissue blend effect, with translucency that picks up the patient's natural tissue tone. This translucency is combined with a simulation of natural blood vessels that readily adapts to a variety of natural tissue shades. In addition to the natural coloration, each Sunflex partial is designed to follow the pattern of natural gum formations with thin clasp designs - making the restoration practically unnoticeable when worn.
You have a proven partial denture system that can be designed with a lightweight, metal-free base or used in combination with a cast metal partial framework for enhanced stability and natural-looking esthetics. With either option, you can be assured you are providing your patients with the finest in partial denture treatment.
Material Properties
Sunflex is a pressure-injected, flexible denture base resin that is ideal for partial dentures and unilateral restorations. The resin is a biocompatible nylon thermoplastic with unique physical and esthetic properties.
The material is a specialized form of nylon in the family of Superpolymides (a very pure nylon) that will not deteriorate chemically when it comes into contact with the fluids, bacteria, and physical environment of the mouth. Available In five shade categories (Crystal, Light Pink, Pink, Medium Meharry and Dark Meharry), Sunflex is uniquely formulated to allow your patient's natural tissue tone to appear through the material for optimal esthetics.
Benefits of Sunflex Flexible Partial Dentures
Natural Esthetics
Your patients will benefit from the natural tissue blend effect of the thin clasp design and the translucency that picks up the natural tissue tone. Virtually invisible, Sunflex Partials give your patients the confidence they want in each and every smile.
Patient Comfort
Partial dentures constructed with Sunflex can be made very thin, reducing the bulk required for strength in acrylic base materials. The thinness yields more sensation while the flexibility of the material absorbs a portion of the shock of movement under mastication. From the initial insertion through continued wear, the patient experiences both minimal obstruction and minimal reaction to the stresses normally produced by rigid base materials.
Durability
Sunflex provides exceptional compressive, impact and bending strength and will not deteriorate chemically when it comes into contact with the fluids, bacteria and physical environment of the mouth.
Biocompatibility
Sunflex is monomer-free and hypo-allergenic.
Stress-Breaking Function
The flexibility of the Sunflex resin achieves the effect of a stress-breaker without attachments. The gingiva tissue is gently stimulated under mastication, and unnatural stresses on the remaining teeth are substantially reduced.
Sunflex Indications
Sunflex can be used whenever you are considering a removable partial denture for your patient. There are three basic design options when considering Sunflex:
Sunflex Bilateral Partial Denture
The metal-free, flexible Sunflex Partial provides a fully-functional, yet esthetically superior, removable partial denture. Patients who have worn both conventional metal partials and Sunflex Partials report that Sunflex feels more natural in the mouth because of the thinness and lightweight design of the material. Additionally, patients report that Sunflex Partials give them more confidence when smiling and appearing in public because of excellent retention and the thin clasp designs.
Sunflex Unilateral Partial Denture
The unilateral Sunflex restoration provides you and your patients with an esthetic, functional design alternative to conventional cross-arch partial dentures. Base combined with the thin clasp designs provide maximum retention, stability and esthetic appeal.
Combination Sunflex with Cast Partial Framework Denture
The Sunflex partial denture can also be used with cast metal frameworks for natural-appearing esthetics. The combination of the cast metal framework with Sunflex provides enhanced stability because of the metal occlusal rests and the lingual rest seats, and is indicated for free end-saddle cases.
Functional Advantage
The flexibility of the Sunflex resin allows the design to take full advantage of available undercuts, which are specially recessed areas of supporting alveolar contours. The clasps and finger extensions pass over high points and protuberances easily, relaxing into the natural undercut to provide retention without pressure at the contact point. Under mastication, the gentle movement of the base creates a slight massaging effect over the natural gum. This produces a stimulation that has been shown to retard the deterioration of natural tissue and bone.
Preparation
Design considerations are similar to any other partial denture occlussal rest. Preparations are a vital part of the function mechanics for Sunflex Partials. Simply send a master cast poured promptly and carefully from an alginate impression along with opposing model and bite registration.
Shade Selection 
Sunflex is produced to remain translucent after processing, with a simulation of natural blood vessels. The translucency readily adapts to a variety of natural tissue shades. The resin Is also available in five different tones, ranging from lighter to darker: Crystal, Light Pink, Pink, Medium Meharry and Dark Meharry.
Impression
The best type of impression material to use is alginate. The powder should be gently stirred from the bottom of the container to the top to redistribute the heavier elements that control shrinkage in the impression. The model should be poured promptly. Most other impression materials compress the tissue too much, leading to increased adjustment time.
Insertion Technique
Immediately prior to inserting it in the patient's mouth, immerse the Sunflex restoration in very hot tap water. Leave the partial in the water for approximately two minutes. Remove the partial from the water and allow it to cool just to the point where it can be tolerated by the patient. Gently insert the partial in the mouth. The hot water treatment permits a very smooth initial insertion and a good adaptation with the natural tissues in the mouth. If the patient senses any discomfort because of tightness of a clasp, the clasp may be loosened slightly by immersing that area of the partial in hot water and bending the clasp outward. If a clasp requires tightening, the clasp area may be immersed in hot water and bent inward to tighten.
Adjusting & Polishing
with Sunflex Tool Kit
If further adjustments are necessary after insertion, they can be easily made with tools that were especially designed for the Sunflex nylon thermoplastic resin -- Sunflex Tool Kit.
The abrasive that is most effective with a handpiece is a green silicone -carbide abrasive point usually used for porcelain or precious metals. The Green Point will permit fine adjustments to be made with a minimal degree of roughness on the surface. Simply use a rapid motion (with a light touch) and continuously vary the contact point. The point can be used for effective reduction of the periphery edge, relief in tissue-contacting areas, and relief in supporting areas to relieve tightness or difficulty in insertion and removal.
Polishing
Repolishing is often not necessary when the Green Point is used properly. If repolishing is necessary, it can be done with Coarse Pumice and Brown Tripoli using a soft rag wheel. A high luster can be restored to the surface using an acrylic-polishing compound following the Tripoli application.
Click here for more information on how to make chairside adjustments with the Sunflex Tool Kit.
Add To/Reline Procedures
All tooth, clasp, or saddle additions must be completed in the laboratory using Sunflex resin. No other materials should be used when adding to Sunflex.
Relines are relatively infrequent with Sunflex because of its ability to adapt to the subtle changes in the mouth. If a reline is indicated, simply remove all adhesives from the tissue side of the partial and take a rubber base wash impression in a closed mouth position. Then take an alginate pickup impression, pour immediately and send to the laboratory.
Insurance Codes
There is no preset code for flexible partials at this time. However, if your coding system allows for an RPD, generically listed, then you may use these codes:
D5211 Maxillary partial denture-cast thermoplastic base
D5212 Mandibular partial denture-cast thermoplastic base
D5213 Maxillary partial denture-cast metal framework with thermoplastic denture bases
D5214 Mandibular partial denture-cast metal framework with thermoplastic denture bases
D5281 Removable unilateral partial denture-cast thermoplastic base
If you would like more information on Sunflex flexible partials or our full-service dental lab, contact Sun Dental Labs today!
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