The Esthetic and Psychologic Benefits of an Intraoperative Provisional Restoration

Abstract

Objective: When multiple visible teeth are prepared, the prolonged treatmenttime may lead to patients needing a break that requires them to leave the operatory. Such a situation allows the patientto view their prepared teeth, a process that can be disconcerting to some patients. Clinical Considerations: An intraoperative provisional restoration can be made by using a thermoplastic vacuum-formed matrix of the patient's teeth that is f|lled with white-colored impression material and then placed over the prepared teeth to form a provisional restoration. Conclusions: The use of an intraoperative provisional restoration can be effectively used to cover prepared teeth while providing normal tooth morphology and facial appearance after preparation of visible teeth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEWhen visible teeth are prepared, an intraoperative provisional restoration can be used to cover the prepared teeth and prevent concerned patients from viewing their prepared teeth. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:189^192, 2017)