Provisional removable partial and complete prostheses.

The incorporation of the use of provisional removable complete and partial prostheses is an extremely valuable diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the comprehensive rehabilitation of the partially and fully edentulous patient. There is no question that the use of this restoration addresses many of the chief complaints of patients in a timely fashion and, in so doing, builds a high degree of confidence in the dentist by the patient. The evaluation of the provisional restorations and their subsequent refinement results in a higher quality, more predictable definitive restoration. Experience has demonstrated that postinsertion problems are reduced with the definitive prosthesis following successful therapy with the provisional restoration. The provisional prosthesis is also valuable as a "spare" denture after insertion of the definitive prosthesis. The role of the provisional removable prosthesis is readily understood and accepted by most patients, and the appropriate use of these restorations in prosthetic dentistry is an indication of a high-quality, highly individualized, and service-oriented dental practice.