Use of provisional restorations to enhance soft-tissue contours for implant restorations

The objective of restoring missing teeth with implant-supported restorations should not merely be achieving osseointegration with an implant and a biomechanically sound restoration. The objective must be the esthetic and functional restoration of the missing teeth. To achieve this, proper treatment planning is critical. Precise implant placement and delicate soft-tissue manipulation during surgery will allow the restorative dentist to enhance the peri-implant soft-tissue contours with the use of provisional restorations. Empirically, it seems that the earlier the provisional restoration is delivered in the treatment process the more ideal the esthetics. Several methods of using provisional restorations to enhance soft-tissue contours are presented. The concept of immediately delivering provisional restorations on placement of an implant is discussed.