Importance of interim restorations in the molar region

Interim restoration protects abutment teeth and periodontal tissues until prosthetic treatment ends with the fabrication of a definitive prosthesis, restores and maintains the functions and morphology of the stomatognathic system, and preserves the occlusal contact relationship. Temporary prostheses are used for a short time, to confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan. However, because interim restorations are used only briefly, their importance in ensuring the success of definitive prostheses is often overlooked. This review includes a comprehensive literature review of interim restoration of molars and summarizes the current clinical understanding and status of this functionally important area. Peer-reviewed publications were identified by searching PubMed in November 2018. An interim restoration, even when used briefly, can help dentists evaluate many aspects of the treatment plan and contribute to accurate prognosis of prosthetic treatment.