Control and precision in complete arch restoration

Abstract

There are certain advantages to restoring a complete arch simultaneously, however, attempting to do this requires that the dentist maintains control during all stages of treatment. Maintaining control alleviates the preassure of time, which in turn allows for precision to be obtained at all clinical and laboratory stages. Two potential areas where control may be diminished or lost are: i) the construction and utilisation of temporary restorations that are biomechanically sound, durable, aesthetic and make a significant contribution to the final result; and ii) obtaining a master cast with accurate dies of all the tooth preparations. This article discusses a logical and practical approach to complete arch restorations and describe the advantages of moving from initial temporary restorations through laboratory processed, provisional restorations and then on to the final restorations. A practical approach for obtaining a single cast with acurate dies of all the tooth preparations is also discussed. © 2008 Nature Publishing Group.