Custom Staining Provisional Restorations

Provisional restorations have many purposes, one of the most important of which is to act as a "blueprint" for the definitive restoration. Esthetic provisional restorations are also one great way to help differentiate you from every other dentist in your area. You'll be amazed how your standing in the community changes when people mistake your provisionals for final restorations.

Although contour is by far one of the most important aspects, one way to help improve the overall esthetics of the provisional restoration, especially an anterior provisional, is to customize its appearance.

Rather than accept a monochromatic provisional restoration, it doesn't take much additional time to add some custom color. To custom stain my provisional restorations I use Palaseal (Kulzer) and porcelain stain powders.

Palaseal, a clear light cured liquid, when mixed with the porcelain stain powder becomes a light cured liquid stain. Although you can purchase porcelain stain powder, you may find that your lab has porcelain stains that they have laying around that they no longer use.

The process for staining provisional restorations begins after all contour adjustments have been made. After cleaning the provisionals, mix the appropriate porcelain stain with Palaseal and apply. Typically, I choose the color of the provisional material clinically to match the incisal edge and then apply the custom color to the cervical area. Once the color is applied it can be light cured. It is always better to apply small amounts of color and cure rather than applying it in one bulk.

After the appropriate amount of color has been applied, cover the stain with an additional coat of the clear acrylic and cure. It seems that stain holds up better if the final cure is done in a Triad or Pro-Cure oven.

Following the final cure, the provisional must be polished as the Palaseal leaves a sticky air-inhibited layer. I use wet pumice and a rag wheel on slow speed followed by a high shine with polishing paste on a dry rag wheel at high speed.

You'll find that taking the extra time to stain your anterior provisional restorations will take them to the next level.