Immediate, provisional postextraction pontic placement.

A rapid technique is described for placement of a temporary pontic to provide immediate esthetics after extraction of an anterior tooth. It requires no laboratory facilities, no natural tooth preparation, and uses only a few dental materials. Being functional and practical, it allows the patient time to seek further care from a general practitioner at a time convenient to them both. Additionally, the psychological distress associated with removal of an anterior tooth is minimized, if not eliminated. Because no natural teeth are involved with any dental preparations, further prosthetic treatment is not compromised. Addition of this technique to the surgeon's treatment regimen is cost effective, and it will improve the relationship between patient and surgeon.