Predictable provisionalization: achieving psychological satisfaction, form, and function.

Abstract

UNLABELLED: The dentition is the foundation of the human face and is far more than just a masticatory apparatus. The smile, which is the definition of humankind, crosses all gender, age, cultural, and religious boundaries to express emotion. When enhancing or restoring a smile with aesthetic dentistry, the provisionalization phase is critical in conveying information regarding function, occlusion, phonetics, and the patient's expectations among the members of the restorative team. This presentation details a predictable process for rapidly fabricating provisional restorations with optimal fit and performance. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: This article describes the role of provisionalization and a protocol for fabrication of temporary prostheses for optimal results. Upon reading this article, the reader should: Understand the role of provisionalization on the surrounding soft and hard tissue structures. Recognize the role provisionalization plays in patient education and communication.