If you are missing one or more of your front teeth, a flipper or flipper tooth is an excellent first step toward restoring your smile. A flipper is an acrylic removable partial denture that usually serves as a temporary solution while you wait to receive your permanent or long-term restoration. It is called a flipper because it is a retainer that can easily be removed or flipped out of the mouth with the tongue. To create a flipper, your doctor will either take an impression or mold of your teeth or use a special 3D camera to digitally scan the area. The impression or scan is sent to a dental laboratory where it will be designed and fabricated, especially for you. Flippers are usually made of a lightweight acrylic resin that blends with the color of your gums and has a prosthetic tooth or teeth attached. The acrylic fitting will either rest on your jaw, be fitted along your palate, or clasp to adjacent teeth to stay in place. Depending on its specific location in your mouth with a flipper, you'll be able to maintain your appearance and restore function while you recover from tooth extractions or dental implant surgery. Ask your doctor if a temporary flipper is an option for you and your unique needs.