A Technique For Effective Shade

A technique for effective shade modification of a provisional restoration
John S. Blalock, DMD, EdSa and Jeril R. Cooper, DMDb Georgia Health Sciences University, College of Dental Medicine,Augusta, Ga
A properly fabricated provisional restoration is important in achieving a successful indirect restoration. The provisional restoration has many important functions, including maintainingocclusal harmony, and serving as a guide for the definitive restoration shape, contour, and shade of the definitive restoration.1 Provisional restorations have typically been made with acrylic resin2 andmore recently bis-acryl composite resin provisional restorative materials.3 While both materials are common, problems may be encountered with an esthetically-demanding patient due to the limited shadesavailable. This is particularly true when a single anterior restoration is required. Some studies have described techniques for characterizing acrylic resin with composite resin stains,4 but little hasbeen described using bis-acryl resin as the provisional restoration material with flowable composite resin as the staining medium. Research has shown bis-acryl resin to be superior to acrylic resinin many ways, including ease of use, lower odor and exothermic heat, durability, and strength.1,4 Bis-acryl resin also has the advantages of automix cartridges, low polymerization temperature, andreduced shrinkage during polymerization.5 Acrylic resin has several disadvantages, including a short working time, a radiolucent appearance, and the need for a separating medium required to preventundesired adherence to tooth structure. Additionally, shrinkage of the acrylic resin during polymerization can result in poor marginal adaptation.4 Studies also suggest that the sheer bond strength offlowable composite resin to the bis-acryl products can exceed the cohesive strength of the bis-acryl composite resin.5 A technique to address the problem of shading the provisional restoration to match...