Temporary Restorations

Provisionals are not an afterthought - they protect the preparation, test the aesthetics, and shape the tissue before the final restoration goes in.

What we offer & who it is for

For practices wanting controlled provisional quality and for implant/aesthetic cases where the provisional builds the tissue profile the final restoration inherits.

Work from this line

Options

Milled PMMA	Polished, low-porosity surfaces; shell or full-contour; characterised on request.
3D printed	Fast provisionals for quick turnaround cases.
Long-term provisionals	For implant healing windows and extended treatment plans.
Contour transfer	Approved provisional contours stored in the case file and applied to the final design.

Specifications & industry guidance

Parameter	Industry reference	Notes
Material options	Milled PMMA · printed temporary resin	Both from the digital scan
Flexural strength (typical)	Milled PMMA ~100-130 MPa · printed resins lower	Milled chosen for multi-unit and long spans
Service window	Weeks to months as an intermediate restoration	Not a substitute for the definitive restoration
Delivery options	Cemented with temporary cement · screw-retained on Ti-base	Provisional implant stages supported
Typical indications	Protection between visits, tissue conditioning, prototype for final aesthetics	Contour feedback transfers to the final case

Practical guidance for your prescriptions

Photograph provisionals in situ and note adjustments - we read emergence profile and contour changes into the final design.
For implant stages, milled PMMA full-arch provisionals are the standard verification step.
Send any diagnostic wax-up or smile design file; provisionals can be milled to that contour.
Temporary cement choice affects the final bond - tell us what you plan to use on the definitive restoration.

Reference figures are widely accepted industry values for the material/system class - case-specific parameters are confirmed at design. Reviewed by the Istar case coordination team.

Indications & limits

Provisionals are not final restorations: colour stability and wear limits are real. For long healing windows we recommend characterised PMMA and a maintenance note to the patient.

What to submit with your case

STL scan or impression of preparation and opposing arch
Rx form with type (shell / full-contour), shade and duration of use
Wax-up or design file if the shape is predetermined
Bite registration for multi-unit provisionals

How the case is made & checked

Intake and contour confirmation

Milling or printing, polishing and optional characterisation

Inspection: fit, contacts, occlusion

Release with contour records attached to the case file

Fit and contacts are inspected the same way as definitive work - a provisional that rocks or opens contacts costs chair time.

Production time & shipping

Provisionals run on the standard workflow; rush handling is available by written confirmation. Shipping is separate.

Real cases

PMMA provisionals ahead of anterior veneers

Characterised provisionals let the patient approve length and shape before porcelain was layered; approved contours carried through to the final E.max case.

Pricing & fees

Priced per unit; planning stages (mock-up, shell design) quoted separately when requested. Freight billed separately.

If something goes wrong

Laboratory-side remakes are covered free of charge - see the full remake & warranty policy. Every remake starts with a root-cause analysis you are part of.

Frequently asked questions

Can the temporary design become the final design?

Yes - approved contours are stored in the case file and applied to the final restoration, so the tissue profile you sculpted is preserved.

Milled PMMA or printed provisionals - which should I choose?

Milled PMMA gives higher strength and polishability for multi-unit and long-span provisionals; printed provisionals are economical for short-span work. Both come from your digital scan, so the choice can also be ours per case.

Can you make long-span provisional bridges?

Yes - milled PMMA provisional bridges including full-arch provisionals for implant stages. These are commonly used during the healing and verification phase before the final restoration.

How do provisionals help my final restoration?

A well-made provisional transfers contour, emergence profile and tissue shape to the final case. Photograph the provisional in situ and send notes on any adjustments - we read those directly into the final design.

What do I need to send for a provisional case?

The prep scan (or model), the target shade, and - for implant provisionals - the base or healing abutment in place. If you have a diagnostic wax-up or smile design file, send it and we mill to that contour.

Ready to send your first case?

Request the price list or tell us about your first case - a named coordinator replies with the next step, not a sales script.

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Crown & Bridge overview · Dental Veneers · Turnaround & Shipping

Content owner: Istar Dental Lab (case coordination team) · Last updated: 2026-10-28