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An interim denture technique is presented describing the fabrication of an esthetic prosthesis that is used for short periods of time. The prosthesis conditions the patient for the acceptance of an artificial substitute for missing natural teeth until more definitive prosthodontic therapy can be provided. All the teeth in the arch are extracted simultaneously, and the interim prosthesis is inserted immediately thereafter. The prosthesis duplicates the morphology, color, and position of the extracted teeth. This technique satisfies a great need of socially and business-active patients because there is no interruption in their activities and no change in facial esthetics. Two case histories are presented.
KEY WORDS
Interim denture
Ridge preservation
Conservative or nontraumatic surgery
Esthetics
INTRODUCTION
An interim (provisional or temporary) denture can be defined as a dental prosthesis to be used for a short interval of time for reasons of esthetics, mastication, occlusal support, or convenience. The objective of using an interim prosthesis is to condition the patient to the acceptance of an artificial substitute for missing natural teeth until more definitive prosthodontic therapy can be provided.
Patients today demand that the transition period from natural dentition to prosthodontic replacement be as short as possible with a minimum of alteration to esthetics, speech, and nutrition. Immediate replacement of an entire arch with a prosthesis that duplicates the natural teeth in morphology, color, and position would be especially advantageous. Maintenance of occlusal vertical dimension and centric occlusion with existing interocclusal contacts and cuspal inclinations would be particularly helpful. The apprehensive patient can be assured that his or her appearance will not be altered. The interim denture concept fulfills these requirements and precludes many of the inherent problems of the more commonly used immediate denture.1
Various techniques and materials for interim prostheses have been described in the literature,1'10 with the contributions of Payne4,5 being most noteworthy. The technique presented is not new but does offer several suggestions to improve interim denture service.
PROCEDURE
An alginate impression is taken of the involved arch, and the tooth impressions are immediately filled with a pink or white wax up to the gingival margins. As soon as the wax hardens, the remainder of the impression is poured in stone. Any missing teeth are supplied (stock acrylic, porcelain, or...