Missing a few teeth doesn’t mean you need a full set of dentures. A partial denture fills the gaps left by one or several missing teeth while your remaining natural teeth stay in place. But “partial denture” isn’t a single product — it’s a category with several distinct types, each built from different materials and suited to different situations and budgets.
This guide walks through the main options, what separates them, and how to figure out which one fits your mouth, your lifestyle, and your budget — including what’s available through DentKits’ at-home process.
First, What a Partial Denture Actually Does
A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth. It rests on your gums and typically anchors to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Unlike a bridge or an implant, it isn’t fixed in place — you take it out to clean it and while you sleep.
People choose partials for a mix of reasons: they’re far less expensive than implants, they don’t require surgery, they can replace several teeth at once, and they can be made and fitted relatively quickly. The trade-off is that they’re removable and take some adjustment to get used to.
The Main Types of Partial Dentures
Flexible Partial Dentures
Flexible partials are made from a lightweight thermoplastic (nylon-based) material that adapts to the contours of your gums. Because the base itself grips the gum line and can be tinted to match your tissue, these partials usually skip the visible metal clasps of older designs — which is why many people find them the most natural-looking option.
Best for: People who prioritize comfort and appearance, and who want a discreet appliance with no metal showing.
Trade-offs: They can be harder to adjust or reline later than acrylic, and they’re generally not the cheapest option.
Acrylic Partial Dentures
The traditional standard. Acrylic partials use a rigid acrylic base, often with metal clasps that hook onto adjacent teeth for retention. They’re durable, straightforward to adjust, and it’s relatively easy to add a tooth later if you lose another one.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, and anyone who may need the denture modified or added to over time. Often used as a transitional or longer-term solution.
Trade-offs: The base is bulkier than flexible or metal designs, and any clasps may be visible depending on placement.
DentKits’ partials — the Partial, Nesbit, and Flipper — are all built from dental-grade acrylic resin, so this is the category DentKits works in. Flexible thermoplastic and cast-metal framework partials would come from a traditional clinic.
Cast Metal (Framework) Partial Dentures
These use a thin, strong cobalt-chromium metal framework as the base, with acrylic and teeth built on top. They’re the most rigid and durable of the removable partials and tend to last the longest.
Best for: People who want maximum durability and a precise fit and don’t mind that some metal may be visible.
Trade-offs: Usually the most expensive type and typically made through a traditional dental office rather than an at-home process. Metal clasps can show when you smile. (Note: DentKits’ lineup is the Partial, Nesbit, and Flipper — see below — so a cast-metal framework partial would come from a traditional clinic.)
Nesbit Partial (One-Sided)
A Nesbit is a small partial designed to replace just one or two adjacent teeth on a single side of the mouth. Because it doesn’t cross the palate or span both sides, it’s compact and unobtrusive.
Best for: Replacing one or two teeth in a single spot without a full framework.
Trade-offs: Because it’s small, some dentists advise care to avoid dislodging it; a well-fitted Nesbit that’s properly retained addresses this.
Flipper (Temporary Partial)
A flipper is a lightweight acrylic partial that “flips” into place to fill a gap. It’s the classic temporary or immediate solution — often used right after a tooth is lost, while you heal or plan a longer-term option, or as an affordable stopgap.
Best for: A fast, inexpensive, temporary fix for one or a few missing teeth.
Trade-offs: Less durable than the permanent options; designed as a shorter-term solution rather than a lifetime appliance.
How the Options Compare
| Type | Base material | Typical use | Appearance | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible | Thermoplastic (nylon) | Comfort-focused, clasp-free | Most discreet, no metal | Mid–higher |
| Acrylic | Rigid acrylic (± clasps) | Budget / transitional | Good; clasps may show | Lower |
| Cast metal | Metal framework + acrylic | Maximum durability | Metal clasps can show | Highest |
| Nesbit | Acrylic | 1–2 teeth, one side | Compact, discreet | Lower |
| Flipper | Lightweight acrylic | Temporary / immediate | Good, short-term | Lowest |
Getting a Partial Denture Online: How DentKits Works
Traditionally, getting a partial means several dental-office visits — a consultation, impressions, fittings, and a final delivery — with costs that can climb well past a thousand dollars per arch once lab and appointment fees are added.
DentKits offers the same core clinical steps through a mail-based, at-home process:
- Take the free denture assessment. A short questionnaire helps identify which product suits your situation.
- Order your partial denture. An impression kit is included with your order and ships to you with the impression material, trays, shade card, and step-by-step instructions — there’s nothing separate to buy.
- Take your impressions at home and send them back to the lab — no appointment needed.
- Your impressions are scanned into a 3D model, and a dentist assigned to your case reviews it and prescribes your denture before it’s manufactured.
- Try-in and adjustments. Your prosthetic is fabricated and, guided by an online form, you flag anything that needs adjusting so the lab can refine the fit.
- Your custom denture is manufactured and shipped to your door, followed by a 30-day adjustment period in case it needs to be loosened or tightened.
Because the process removes the overhead of a physical office while keeping licensed-dentist oversight, the pricing is lower than a typical clinic. Shipping is a flat $19.99, and an interest-free payment plan is available — $199 down, then $99/month or less until it’s paid off.
DentKits Partial Options and Pricing
| Product | One arch | Both arches | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial | $499.95 | $849.95 | Replacing multiple missing teeth in an arch |
| Nesbit | $399.95 | $699.95 | Replacing one or a few teeth, clasp-retained |
| Flipper | $399.95 | $729.95 | Temporary / immediate partial |
Prices reflect DentKits’ current published rates. Shipping is a flat $19.99, and an interest-free payment plan ($199 down, then $99/month or less) is available at checkout. Your impression kit is included with your order — there’s no separate kit to purchase.
How to Choose
A few questions to narrow it down:
- How many teeth are you replacing, and where? One or two teeth on a single side points toward a Nesbit or flipper. Several teeth, or teeth on both sides, points toward a full partial.
- Is this temporary or long-term? A flipper is built for the short term; flexible and acrylic partials are meant to last.
- What matters most — appearance, durability, or cost? Flexible leans toward looks and comfort, acrylic toward value and easy adjustment, cast metal toward durability.
- Do you want to avoid dental-office visits? DentKits’ at-home process is designed exactly for that, with a licensed dentist still reviewing your case.
If you’re unsure, DentKits’ free denture assessment is a low-commitment way to get a recommendation before you order. You can also reach DentKits support anytime by email, and schedule a Zoom (teledental) appointment if you’d like to talk your options through with someone.
Caring for Your Partial Denture
Whichever type you choose, good care extends its life:
- Clean it daily with a soft brush and a denture-specific cleanser — not regular toothpaste, which can be abrasive.
- Take it out overnight and store it in water or a denture solution so it doesn’t dry out.
- Handle it over a folded towel or a sink of water so it won’t break if dropped.
- Keep up with checkups so the fit can be assessed and adjusted as your mouth changes.
With proper care, a well-made partial denture can last several years.
The Bottom Line
There’s no single “best” partial denture — the right choice depends on how many teeth you’re replacing, whether you need something temporary or lasting, and how you weigh comfort, appearance, durability, and cost. Flexible partials win on discretion and comfort, acrylic on value and adjustability, cast metal on durability, and Nesbits and flippers on solving small or short-term gaps affordably.
If skipping the dental-office visits appeals to you, DentKits covers the Partial, Nesbit, and Flipper through an at-home process that still runs every case past a licensed dentist — with a try-in and a 30-day adjustment period to get the fit right.