Soft-tissue working cast

Abstract

T h e development of the final cervical contours for porcelain-fused-to-gold crowns and the ponticresidual ridge relationship is generally a chairside procedure. The blanching of marginal gingiva at the try-in may indicate an overcontoured restoration. Eliminating most of the chairside recontouring may be possible when the ceramist uses a working cast that reproduces the gingival tissues. Reproducing the soft tissue in a pliable material will facilitate the production of clinically acceptable cervical contours and pontic-ridge relationships. Several prerequisites are necessary to make the soft-tissue working cast a viable treatment tool. Because the cast will reproduce the gingival tissues, it is imperative that the patient's periodontia be in optimum health. Provisional restorations which fulfill all the requirements of coronal or pontic contour must have been in clinical use long enough to make an evaluation of the gingival response and any necessary modifications possible. The casting try-in may be completed when the gingival tone is healthy. During the casting try-in, contour modifications which may be required on the lingual and proximal surfaces should be made. I f the facial contours of the provisional restorations are clinically acceptable, there should be no need to alter the facial of the casting. If blanching occurs on the facial surface at the casting try-in, a reevaluation of the provisional restoration as well as the preparation itself should be made. After all the castings have been fitted and proved clinically acceptable, the procedure to produce a soft-tissue working cast may be begun.