A dental stayplate is a removable oral appliance designed to temporarily replace one or more missing teeth following an extraction or while a patient awaits a more definitive restoration. This device serves as an immediate solution to address the gap created by tooth loss, allowing a person to maintain their appearance and some functional capacity. It is primarily intended to be a short-term prosthetic, filling the empty space during the healing phase or while a long-term treatment, such as an implant or bridge, is being planned and fabricated.
Defining the Dental Stayplate
The stayplate is essentially a type of temporary partial denture, often referred to as a “flipper” because it can be easily removed and inserted. Its structure is relatively simple, consisting of a custom-formed base that rests directly on the gum tissue. This base is most commonly made of acrylic resin, tinted pink to mimic the appearance of natural gum tissue.
Attached to this base are one or more prosthetic teeth, known as pontics, which are matched to the patient’s existing teeth in shape and shade. For retention, the stayplate frequently incorporates small wire clasps that extend from the acrylic and lightly hook around adjacent natural teeth. These clasps help hold the appliance securely in place. The entire appliance is intentionally lightweight, focusing on ease of fabrication and temporary use rather than long-term durability.
Primary Reasons for Use
The most common reason for prescribing a dental stayplate is to restore aesthetics, particularly when a missing tooth is located in the visible front portion of the mouth. Losing a front tooth can significantly impact a person’s confidence, and the stayplate provides an instant cosmetic fix. By filling the gap, the appliance allows patients to speak and smile without the self-consciousness of a missing tooth.
Beyond appearance, the stayplate serves an important functional role as a space maintainer within the arch. When a tooth is removed, the adjacent teeth tend to drift or tilt into the newly created space, which can complicate future restorative work. Wearing the stayplate prevents this shifting, keeping the surrounding dentition correctly aligned while the bone and gums heal. This temporary stabilization ensures the eventual permanent restoration will fit properly.
The appliance is not designed for heavy chewing or full functional replacement. It offers satisfactory function for moderate eating and speaking but does not provide the same chewing efficiency as natural teeth or a permanent restoration. The appliance is a transitional placeholder, managing the immediate consequences of tooth loss until a more robust, long-term solution like a dental implant or a traditional bridge can be completed.
Fabrication and Fitting Process
The process of receiving a stayplate begins with the dentist taking impressions, or molds, of the patient’s upper and lower dental arches. These impressions capture the contours of the existing teeth and the space where the tooth is or will be missing. The shade and shape of the prosthetic tooth are also selected to ensure a natural blend with the surrounding teeth.
These molds and specifications are then sent to a dental laboratory, where technicians custom-construct the stayplate using the chosen acrylic and wire components. If the stayplate is being used immediately after an extraction, the dentist often takes the impression beforehand, and the laboratory fabricates the appliance assuming the missing tooth. This allows the patient to receive the stayplate on the same day the tooth is removed.
Once the laboratory returns the finished appliance, the patient returns for a fitting appointment where the dentist checks the fit, comfort, and alignment. Minor adjustments are often necessary to ensure the appliance rests comfortably on the gum tissue and does not interfere with the patient’s bite. The custom fabrication ensures the appliance is tailored to the individual’s mouth, though follow-up appointments may be required for final comfort adjustments.
Care and Longevity
Proper daily care is necessary to maintain the hygiene and condition of the dental stayplate and the oral tissues underneath. The appliance must be cleaned daily using a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive cleanser, such as a mild hand soap or a denture-specific cleaning solution. Traditional toothpaste should be avoided because its abrasive nature can scratch the acrylic surface, creating grooves where bacteria can accumulate.
It is recommended to remove the stayplate at night to give the underlying gum tissue a chance to rest and recover from the pressure of the appliance. When not being worn, the stayplate should be stored in water or a denture-soaking solution to prevent the material from drying out and warping, which would compromise its fit.
Due to the materials and design, stayplates are temporary solutions and are not built for extended use under heavy chewing forces. They typically last anywhere from a few months up to about a year, which is enough time for the extraction site to heal or for the permanent restoration to be completed. Attempting to use a stayplate as a permanent denture can lead to tissue irritation and bone changes over time.