Pikos Online Journal - Pikos Pearl

Screw-retained, Immediate Provisionalization

Under circumstances of meeting "appropriate" surgical conditions and perio-prosthetic criteria for use of immediate provisionalization in the anterior esthetic region – when possible opt for use of the screw-retained provisional to aid in the preservation of surrounding soft tissue and papillary architecture.

During seating of the screw-retained provisional - don't exceed the recommended torque value of 15NCm. Following appropriate seating and tightening of the provisional into place, utilize thin profile plumbers tape as opposed to the typical cotton pellet technique as a "safe buffer" between the screw head and your composite filler. And don't be afraid to use a longer piece than you think would be necessary – the plumbers tape compacts extremely well and forms nicely as the buffer between your internal provisional screw and your composite filler.

Another plus is it allows you to use less composite filler and is easy to remove – which means less chairside time in retrieving and removing the provisional following implant integration.