Screw Retained or Cement Retained Provisionals
Posted on 10/07/2011
When a case indicates provisionals over implants, doctors have the option of choosing either a screw retained or cement retained provisional. Screw retained temporaries require a plastic temporary abutment. Cement retained can use either a plastic or a titanium temporary abutment.
However, not all provisional materials can be used for screw retained crowns. For example, Radica by Dentsply cannot be used for screw retained restorations as the composite resin will not bond with the plastic made for temporary abutments. Most PMMA provisional materials will work for screw retained restorations.
For ideal aesthetics, we recommend the cement retained provisional - unless occlusal space is an issue. When there is limited occlusal space and the abutment will be insufficiently short if made as cement retained, we recommend to change the restoration to a screw retained restoration.
However, not all provisional materials can be used for screw retained crowns. For example, Radica by Dentsply cannot be used for screw retained restorations as the composite resin will not bond with the plastic made for temporary abutments. Most PMMA provisional materials will work for screw retained restorations.
For ideal aesthetics, we recommend the cement retained provisional - unless occlusal space is an issue. When there is limited occlusal space and the abutment will be insufficiently short if made as cement retained, we recommend to change the restoration to a screw retained restoration.
