The use of a provisional restoration in implant dentistry: a clinical report.

Provisional restorations in implant dentistry have rarely been considered an important stage in treatment. The definitive restoration is commonly fabricated in the laboratory with very little clinical input. The potential for error in the selection of abutments, framework design, appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion, occlusal profile, and finally the esthetic interpretation is significant. These static and dynamic variables can be identified clinically and communicated to the laboratory. It is suggested that all fixed detachable implant procedures incorporate a provisional phase to allow the diagnosis of static and dynamic clinical variables that determine the final design of the prosthesis. Implant restorations should be designed with a clinical basis that can be confirmed from a functional provisional restoration.