Psychological implications of provisional prostheses.
The use of provisional restorations in the practice of partial and complete prosthodontics affords the dentist a productive method of arriving at an effective and pleasing prosthesis for the patient. Similarly, it serves the patient as a means of maintenance during multidisciplinary care. It can provide immediate replacement of extracted teeth and serve as a guide for correcting pre-existing conditions such as collapsed vertical dimension, related esthetic or facial collapse, centric occlusion, and changes caused by deterioration. After one or more visits, preliminary to the dental treatment plan, in which there has been an evaluation of the patient's physical, oral, and emotional condition, the dentist can arrive at a plan in which all factors may be considered and treatment directed appropriately. This article, in its limited approach, has attempted to emphasize the importance of knowing and understanding the patient's needs, which are not often clearly expressed by the patient. There must be adequate preparation of the patient to reduce or eliminate anxieties. Patient-practitioner discussions regarding procedures and realistic expectations are most helpful. A broad span of multidisciplinary dental treatment may well be served by the use of the transitional prosthesis, affording the dentist and patient adequate time for treatment, corrections, and optimal esthetics.
Department of Prosthodontics and Occlusal Studies, New York University College of Dentistry, New York.
H M
HM
Parker
D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003829:Denture, Partial; D003833:Denture, Partial, Temporary; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000523:psychology*; D010347:Patient Care Planning