Plastic temporary abutments with provisional restorations in immediate loading procedures: a clinical report

A provisional restoration in combination with an implant-retained restoration provides many of the same benefits as nonimplant-retained fixed restorations. Provisional restorations serve as a diagnostic tool to confirm esthetics, contours, accessibility for oral hygiene, and can be used to duplicate the definitive restoration. A provisional restoration allows for communication between the patient, dentist, and technician. The soft tissue around the implants can heal according to the contours of the provisional restoration. However, implant-retained treatment can require an extended period of osseointegration, and provisional treatment can be a challenge if a removable prosthesis is provided because adjustments of the denture may become necessary during healing. This article presents a case report that describes the simultaneous placement of implants with the connection of fixed provisional restorations to prefabricated plastic provisional abutments.