How to Make a Temporary Tooth While an Implant Is Integrating скачать в хорошем качестве

How to Make a Temporary Tooth While an Implant Is Integrating

Today, we’ll be fabricating an Essix pontic using Tetric PowerFill by Ivoclar for tooth #13. The first step is shade selection to ensure it matches the patient’s natural dentition. If the patient plans to undergo whitening later, this is the ideal time to discuss it. One advantage of using an Essix tray is that we can easily perform whitening, then replace the pontic with a lighter shade later if needed. In this case, the patient is not whitening, so we’ll proceed directly. To begin fabrication, I express a small amount of Tetric PowerFill, roll it into a ball, and shape it slightly by hand. Then I place it directly into the space of the missing tooth. Some clinicians prefer to micro-etch the tray or create a retention hole for added mechanical retention. Personally, I avoid altering the tray—when the suck-down is well adapted, we get excellent retention, and preserving the tray allows easy replacement if shade adjustment is needed later. With the composite in place, I use my OptraSculpt Pad instrument to ensure it stays confined to the #13 space and does not encroach on #12 or #14. I work carefully around the papilla, sculpting back and forth with both the pad and spatula ends. The key is preserving proper anatomy while avoiding any impingement on tissue. Once the basic shape is established, I slightly flatten the central portion. Remember, this pontic must not contact the implant site—it functions purely as an esthetic placeholder during osseointegration. I refine the contour slowly; if it becomes too flat, it can widen, so subtle corrections are essential. When I’m satisfied with the form, I cure the composite using the Bluephase PowerCure to ensure complete polymerization. After curing, I remove the pontic and reseat it to verify accuracy and hardness before moving into finishing. Using a sandpaper disc, I gently smooth the interproximal areas to eliminate any excess “wings.” A crucial step is intentionally over-trimming the interproximal contacts—I do not want the pontic binding tightly between the adjacent teeth. Slight clearance makes insertion and removal easier for the patient. All corners are rounded more than I would for a traditional provisional. Smoothness is critical for comfort and to prevent irritation. The tissue surface should remain flat to avoid pressure on the healing site. I try in the pontic once more to confirm there is no catching, no tightness, and that it seats effortlessly. A small amount of space between the neighboring teeth is ideal—we do not want material overfilling or pressing into tissue. These next months are critical during implant healing, so our goal is purely esthetic, not functional. With fit confirmed, I recheck the shade. This case uses Tetric Bleach Shade, which is one of my favorites. And as you can see—I’m a patient myself, currently in my own implant integration journey!