Prosthodontics & Occlusion · patient case question
Why is a provisional restoration important in this case?
Patient case: Planning an anterior fixed partial denture
Patient: 44-year-old woman.
Chief complaint: Wants the gap at the front filled.
History: Missing a maxillary canine. Plan is a fixed bridge from the lateral incisor to the first premolar.
Findings: Sound abutment teeth with good bone support. Adequate ridge form with a smooth, flat contour. High smile line — the cervical area of the pontic will be visible.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. To maintain esthetics while the definitive prosthesis is fabricated
- A. CORRECT. In an ANTERIOR case the patient-facing reason is ESTHETICS — she cannot go weeks with a visible gap and unprepared abutments. The provisional also protects the pulp, maintains tooth position and occlusal relationships, and lets soft tissue contours be shaped and evaluated before the definitive prosthesis is made.
- B. A provisional protects prepared dentin only while it is in place. It does not confer lasting caries protection.
- C. A definitive impression is still required regardless of the provisional.
- D. Provisional cement has no effect on the bond strength of the definitive cement; residual provisional cement must in fact be cleaned off thoroughly.
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