Periodontal considerations for provisional restorations.

Provisional restorations can cause alterations of tooth form, surface continuity, and the relationship of the restored tooth to the adjacent and opposing teeth as well as the periodontal tissues. As the integrity of the periodontium is of mutual interest to both the periodontist and the restorative dentist, it is important that the potential damage caused by restorative procedures and materials be avoided. Ideally, the provisional restoration should be considered an acrylic progenitor of the final restoration in all aspects except the material from which it is fabricated, its longevity, and the nuances of color and translucency. It should not be replaced by the permanent restoration until all treatment objectives have been accomplished. In an integrated multidisciplinary approach to dental care, it is logical that periodontal treatment precede final restorative procedures. The establishment and maintenance of periodontal health is clearly predicated on an intact dentogingival unit and shallow sulcular dimensions that allow accessibility for removal of plaque. Provisional restorations, whether single or multiple, must conform to and complement the healthy gingival environment if periodontal health is to be sustained. Direct and frequent communication between the periodontist and restorative dentist is a prerequisite for predictable and satisfactory results.