Using provisional restorations to improve results in complex aesthetic restorative cases

Provisional restorations provide more than an intermediate functional and protective covering of teeth that have been prepared for indirect restorations. They provide the opportunity to build a relationship with the patient, to more clearly achieve the patient's aesthetic expectations, to build patient hygiene skills and habits, and to learn what is ideal for patients occlusally, phonetically, and aesthetically. This presentation examines the benefits of provisionalization and how to effectively communicate the information learned in this stage to the laboratory for replication in the definitive restorations.

This article demonstrates how provisional restorations can be used to build a collaborative relationship between the prosthodontist, patient, dental specialists, and laboratory technician. Upon reading this article, the reader should: Understand how to use provisional restorations to develop patient expectations and to build a clear understanding of treatment goals. Understand how provisional restorations can be used to limit occlusal and phonetic difficulties that can occur in these restorations.