Chairside Preparation of Provisional Restorations

Abstract

Increasing demands are placed on the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to perform early or immediate loading of dental implants due to demands and expectations of the referring doctor and patients. In order to provide the patient with an immediately loaded, functioning implant, the surgeon should consider incorporating the fabrication of the temporary restoration as an additional service for their implant patients. The armamentarium necessary for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to deliver a temporary restoration will be described. The materials and components needed to provide this service will be listed and a sequence of steps to easily accomplish the fabrication of a temporary crown will be presented. Temporary crowns cemented onto temporary or permanent implant abutments are ideal for the management of gingival contours. Initial soft tissue healing around the contours of the temporary crown, even with minimally invasive techniques, provides many advantages for the patient. There is less likelihood of gingival scarring, which minimizes the incidence of gingival recession and the patient is restored to normal form and function immediately. The fabrication of the temporary prosthesis by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon provides benefits for the surgeon, restorative doctor, as well as, the patient. By working closely with his or her restorative colleagues, the surgeon will be able to provide his or her implant patients with immediate return to form and function intraorally with minimum effort.