Flipper, Nesbit or Valplast partial, which one fits
A flipper and a Nesbit are the same appliance under two different names, and a Valplast style partial is our flexible, metal-free build. Prices start at $319 for a flipper and $399 for the flexible option.
The names come from different places, dentists bill one as a Nesbit under CDT codes D5282–D5286, patients search the other by the Valplast brand, and we build all three from the same lab.
What each name actually means
A flipper is a light removable base carrying one to three teeth, resting mostly on the gum with a little grip from the teeth beside the gap. A Nesbit is that same appliance built for one side of the arch, usually one or two teeth.
Valplast is a brand name for flexible, metal-free partial dentures. We build the same style, gum toned and with no visible clasps, under our flexible partial denture line.
Side by side
Flipper, Nesbit or Valplast, compared
| Question | Flipper | Nesbit | Valplast style |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Removable, 1 to 3 teeth | Single-sided flipper, one or two teeth | Our flexible partial, no metal |
| Entry price per arch | $319 | $319 | $399 |
| Visible metal | Thin clasps | Thin clasps | None |
| Best for | Several gaps or a wide space | One back or side gap | Front gap, no metal showing |
Nesbit is a dental billing name for the same removable flipper we build. Home impression kit and free shipping both ways are inside every price.
Can you eat with one in
Yes, day to day meals are fine once you are used to the fit. Sticky candy, hard nuts and very crunchy food are the exceptions, since they can crack or loosen a light appliance faster than normal chewing does.
Protecting teeth overnight
A night guard is a separate product from any of the three above, built to sit over your teeth while you sleep instead of replacing missing ones.
Night guards and who they suit
| Night guard | Best for | Per arch |
|---|---|---|
| Soft | Light grinding and first-time wearers | $119 |
| Hard and Soft | Moderate to heavy grinding | $159 |
| Muscle Relaxer | Jaw tension from clenching | $189 |
Custom made for your top or bottom arch.
Ordering either one
- The impression kit reaches you by USPS in 3 days or FedEx overnight.
- You take the impressions at home and mail them back with the prepaid label.
- A technician confirms the build your case needs.
- The appliance arrives 14 to 28 days later, made in the USA.
Health account cards work at checkout, and how HSA and FSA payment works covers the receipt.
Questions people actually ask
Is a Nesbit the same as a flipper
Close, but not quite. Nesbit is the dentist’s name for a one-sided removable partial carrying one or two teeth, and we build it the same way as a flipper. Unilateral partials are billed under CDT codes D5282–D5286 depending on the base material; interim partials under D5820/D5821. Your dentist picks the code.
What is a Valplast style partial
A flexible partial denture with no visible metal clasps. We build the same style under our flexible partial denture line, starting at $399 for a flipper size case.
Can I eat with a flipper tooth in
Yes, with soft to medium food. Skip sticky candy, hard nuts and very crunchy snacks, which can loosen or crack a light appliance.
Are night guards a separate product from these
Yes. A night guard protects teeth from grinding overnight, while a flipper, Nesbit or Valplast style partial replaces missing teeth. Many people order both.
Weighing a flipper against a wider partial, read flipper against partial denture, side by side.
Smile Lab USA builds every appliance in Hollywood, Florida, backed by a 60 day manufacturer warranty.