After Provisionals

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The success of your treatment is of the utmost importance to all of us.  Therefore, it is vital that you are aware of the care and maintenance that is required for your provisionals to remain functional and in good condition while you wear them.  

Your provisionals are a temporary protective restoration fabricated from an acrylic material.  We ask that you take special precautions while you wear them.  Provisionals are cemented with a temporary cement.  Occasionally, even with careful wearing, provisionals will become loose.  If your provisionals become loose or broken, contact our office immediately.  Loose or broken provisionals leak and cause shifting of the teeth.

If we cement your provisionals for an extended length of time, we must check you every 4-8 weeks.  You are responsible to make your appointments for this check.

Signs that your provisional may be loose:

• Taste of cloves or medicine in your mouth.

• A feeling that your provisional is rocking or moving.

• A bad taste or odor in your mouth.

Avoid these foods while wearing provisionals:

• Hard chewy breads such as bagels or French bread.

• Chew candies such as taffy, caramels or gum.

• Hard crunchy foods such as corn nuts or popcorn kernels.

• Do not bite into foods such as corn on the cob or apples.

Care of your provisionals:

• Brush and floss at least three times a day.  Acrylic provisionals attract more bacterial plaque than natural teeth.

• Use caution when flossing that you do not tug or pull on the provisionals.

• A fluoride rinse may be used daily if you choose.

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