Faculty of Dentistry

Fixed Prosthodontics department

Lecture: Provisional Restorations

Dr Amr Rizk Date : 20/11/2024

ILOs Intended learning outcomes
1. Understand the purposes & importance of a well-fitting
provisional.
2. Understand the biological, esthetic and mechanical
requirements of provisional restorations
3. Ideal requirements for provisional material and restorations
4. Classify the Provisional restorations
 Introduction
• The word provisional means established for the time being
pending a permanent arrangement.

• Also we can call it “INTERIM RESTORATIONS”.

• However, not only good provisionals help produce better final

restorations, they can also save time, effort and expenses.
Thus, the time spent in their fabrication will be repaid in time
saved doing additional procedures and remakes later on.
 Definition of Provisional restorations
• According to the Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms, “provisional or
interim prosthesis or restoration is a fixed or removable dental or
maxillofacial prosthesis designed to enhance esthetics, stabilization
and/or function for a limited period of time, after which it is to be
replaced by a definitive dental or maxillofacial prosthesis”
 Definition of Provisional restorations

The word provisional means established for the time being pending a
permanent restoration or prosthesis.
 Importance and Purpose
of Provisional
• They aid in diagnosis, treatment planning and communication
to the laboratory for the clinical success of definitive fixed
restorations.
 Importance for diagnosis

• Provisional restorations, especially those used for

conventional preparations, are valuable in situations where
aesthetic or occlusal changes to a patient’s dentition are
planned.
 (1) Aesthetic changes
• Proposed changes to the shape of anterior teeth are best
tried out with provisional restorations to ensure patient
acceptance
• Once happy, an alginate or an intra-oral scan is recorded
so that the technician can copy the shape into the
definitive restoration.
 (2) Occlusal changes
• A patient’s tolerance to changes in anterior guidance or
increased occlusal vertical dimension is best tried out with
provisional restorations.
• The patient can then be examined at a further appointment and the
occlusal surfaces copied as long as the following criteria are met:
• Restorations are still cemented
• Occlusal contacts have been maintained, with no drifting of teeth
• Teeth are not mobile, or existing mobility is not increasing
• There is no discomfort
The Three Basic Purposes the provisional must fulfill
 I. Biologic
1)Pulpal protection :
After reduction , the Dentinal tubules are Exposed thus,
If NO provisional restoration → Adverse pulp effects can be
expected.
2)Periodontal health
The Lack of - Good Marignal Fit
- Proper Contours
-Smooth Surface
Will lead to plaque accumulation;
affecting the Periodontal health.
3) Occlusal compatibility and tooth position
- Maintaining the proper occlusal contacts and
proximal contact will restore tooth function
and maintain tooth position during
temporization period.
• A missing proximal contact
allows tooth migration. This will
alter the seating of the final
restoration.
• 4) Prevention of enamel fracture
The provisional restoration should protect teeth
weakened by preparation; particularly in partial
coverage designs in which the preparation’s margin
is close to the occlusal surface of the tooth and could
be damaged during chewing.
-Even a small chip of enamel will render the
definitive restoration unsatisfactory and necessitate
a time-consuming remake.
 To summarize
• A good well- fitting Provisional restoration → will make u
achieve pulp protection, maintain periodontal health, avoid
enamel fracture and maintain tooth position.
• If no provisional restoration → Pulpal irritation and no tooth
stability and enamel fracture may occur
• If ill-fitting provisional restoration(margins and contact) →
periodontal problem
 II. Mechanical Requirements
1) Resist functional load:
Temporary restoration should allow function &
mastication while the final restoration is
fabricated.
•The degree of function depend on:
•Retention of the temporary restoration.
•Span length.
•Occlusal forces.
•Resistance of material to deformation.
Connectors of F.P.D. should have adequate bulk to
able to withstand functional load.
 2)Resist removal forces
Displacement of provisional restoration is best
prevented through proper preparation and an
interim restoration with a closely adapted
internal surface.

• If excessive space between the restoration and

the tooth places greater demands on luting agent ,
which has lower strength than regular cement ,
thus cannot with stand the added forces.
• For this reason , unlined preformed crowns should
be avoided.
• Removal for reuse
Interim restorations often need to be used.
And so shouldn’t be damaged when removed
from the teeth.
So if the cement is weak and the interim is well
fabricated , it doesn’t break upon removal.
3) Maintain inter-abutment alignment
An accurately sized provisional, both mesially and distally, will
also prevent food from being trapped between the teeth.
Trapped food can cause gingival inflammation, pain, and
infection. ➔ Biological
This contact will help reduce, and prevent, the adjacent
teeth from moving.
If the provisional is too small and does not provide
adequate contact, the adjacent teeth will move into the
open space ➔ decreasing the inter-abutment space.
 To summarize
• If there is no adequate retention Provisional restoration → it wont
resist functional load and it will fracture.
• Excessive space between the provisional and the abutment should
be avoided → to achieve retention and resist removal forces.
• Provisional restoration should be well fitted → so that it wont
break on removal.
• If the provisional is too small and does not provide adequate
contact, the adjacent teeth will move into the open space ➔
decreasing the inter-abutment space.
 III. Aesthetic Considerations
• The provisional crown can act as a “rough draft” and
“test drive” for the dentist and patient to discuss the
appearance of the permanent crown.
• Provisional crowns allow the patient to become
accustomed to the new shape, contour, and length if
these were altered for cosmetic or functional
purposes.
What are the ideal requirements for
Provisional restorations & materials?
 Requirement of ideal provisional restoration &
materials:
1. Biocompatible and non irritating , non toxic and non allergic
2. Dimensionally stable during solidification
3. Withstand occlusal and functional loads
4. Resistance to fracture
5. Promote healing of soft tissue and prevent plaque accumulation.
6. Should have good marginal quality.
7. Should provide adequate occlusion & restore the correct contact to prevent
→over-eruption
8.Should provide adequate aesthetic quality Good appearance maintain its color
and resist stains
9. Should be easily constructed / easy to repair & easily removed by the operator.
10. Adequate working time and short setting time
Classifications for Provisional restorations

1 According to Duration of use

2 According to the location od tooth

3 According to the fabrication technique

4 According to the material of use

 Classifications for Provisional restorations
• 1) According to duration of use :
• Short term provisional restoration: for few days up to 2 weeks
• Intermediate provisional restoration: more than 2 weeks
• Long term provisional restoration: for months in case of patient undergoing
implant therapy orthodontic stabilization, evaluation & alteration of vertical
dimension.
 2) According to location to the tooth
A. Intra-coronal restorations:
Will be discussed later in “Inlay and Onlay Provisional Technique”

B. Extra-coronal restorations:
1) Ready made “Pre-Fabricated”: -Metal
- Non-metal
2) Custom made