by Dr. Yoshi Goto
When a patient arrives at my office seeking an esthetic restorative solution, my first consideration is always which materials will best suit the situation. In this case, I needed a provisional bridge material that I could offer cost-effectively to the patient in a timely manner, while still maintaining an esthetic and fracture-resistant result. I knew we would need plenty of time to fabricate the permanent restoration but didn’t want to skimp on excellent qualities that would keep the patient comfortable and smiling.
The patient had a stained PFM bridge on teeth #7-11 that needed replacement with a more stain-resistant and esthetic provisional while awaiting final zirconia restorations. I was motivated to use LuxaCrown for multiple reasons. First, regular PMMA for a provisional bridge would have resulted in severe staining. Second, CAD/CAM PMMA could have worked but would require sending to a laboratory for fabrication. Third, due to the patient’s financial situation and expectations, LuxaCrown was the best option because I could use it chairside while saving both time and money without sacrificing on esthetics.
Steps in this LuxaCrown bridge case:
- Impressions taken with Honigum and models fabricated.
- Fabricated the implant-retained provisional bridge with LuxaCrown.
- Provisional bridge placed in the mouth.
- Delivered final zirconia restorations after three months.
We were both satisfied with the LuxaCrown provisional result, and the patient was able to enjoy an esthetic solution during the three-month period before receiving her final restoration. Her LuxaCrown did not break and had minimal staining compared to regular PMMA. I appreciated how nice the surface texture was for the patient. The time and lab cost associated with other options, like CAD/CAM PMMA, for long-term anterior implant-retained anterior provisionals, made LuxaCrown the ideal temporary material. Plus, any minor chipping is easy to repair.
With LuxaCrown, I was able to produce a fracture-resistant provisional bridge that kept my patient smiling for months. It is an excellent option for producing an ideal result in a single appointment. I’ve found that staining is one of my main concerns with provisionals, and I’m confident using LuxaCrown because of its polishability and how well it holds up to regular wear.
