A dental stayplate is a removable dental appliance designed to temporarily replace one or more missing teeth. Often called a “flipper,” it serves as a lightweight, interim solution while a patient prepares for a long-term restoration, such as a dental implant or a fixed bridge. This custom-made device helps maintain the appearance of a complete smile and offers functional support during the transitional treatment period.
Defining the Dental Stayplate
The stayplate’s structure is built around a thin, custom-fitted base, typically made from a pink acrylic resin that mimics the appearance of gum tissue. This acrylic base is formed from a precise impression taken of the patient’s mouth, allowing it to rest directly against the palate or the lower jaw ridge. One or more prosthetic teeth, color-matched to the natural teeth, are securely attached to this base to fill the missing space.
To ensure the appliance stays firmly in place, it often incorporates small metal components, most commonly wrought wire clasps. These clasps are embedded into the acrylic and gently wrap around adjacent natural teeth, providing the necessary retention. The entire device is fabricated in a dental laboratory, where the dentist’s impression is used to create a model for the appliance. The design is intentionally thin and light to be less noticeable, though this construction also makes it less durable than permanent restorations.
Primary Uses and Indications
A dentist prescribes a stayplate primarily as an aesthetic solution and space maintainer during the healing and planning phases of treatment. Its most common use is to provide a temporary replacement for a tooth lost in the “smile zone,” immediately restoring the patient’s appearance. This cosmetic function is important during the months-long waiting period required for bone fusion following a dental implant placement.
The stayplate also serves a mechanical function by acting as a space maintainer following an extraction. When a tooth is removed, adjacent teeth naturally begin to drift or tilt into the empty space, complicating the placement of a final restoration. By filling the gap, the stayplate prevents this shifting and maintains the proper alignment needed for a future crown, bridge, or implant.
Living with a Stayplate
Adapting to a stayplate involves a temporary adjustment period for both speaking and eating. Patients often experience initial bulkiness that may affect speech articulation, though this improves with practice and time. Because the appliance is relatively fragile and rests on the gum tissue, patients should avoid using it for chewing hard, sticky, or tough foods.
Daily maintenance is focused on cleanliness and material preservation to prevent bacterial buildup and warping. The stayplate must be removed and cleaned at least twice a day, using a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive cleanser, such as mild soap or a denture cleaning solution. Regular toothpaste should be avoided, as its abrasive properties can scratch the acrylic surface, creating microscopic grooves where bacteria can accumulate.
When the stayplate is not being worn, such as overnight, it must be stored properly to prevent the acrylic from drying out and changing shape. Soaking traditional acrylic stayplates in clean water or a specific denture solution keeps the material hydrated. Removing the stayplate before sleeping allows the gum tissues underneath to rest and breathe, reducing the risk of irritation and inflammation. Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor the fit and progress toward the planned permanent dental restoration.