The case

The following clinical case demonstrates some of this material’s clinical features. The patient presented with a maxillary left first bicuspid that was treated endodontically and needed a full-coverage restoration (Fig. 1). There were some concerns about the tooth’s prognosis, so we opted to place a cast post core and temporary crown restoration and then assess the situation in 1 year. In this case, we will look at temporization after the cast post core is placed.

STEP 1 Take an initial alginate impression of the arch each time a new temporary crown is required. This provides a template for fabricating a new temporary crown.

STEP 2 Dispense DuraTemp shade A2 directly into the alginate impression, filling about two-thirds of the bicuspid’s imprint.

STEP 3 Seat the tray back into the mouth (Fig. 2). Dispense a small amount of the material onto the instrument tray to make it easy to monitor the setting of the material. DuraTemp features a two-stage set with minimal heat released while curing.

STEP 4 Place the alginate tray back into the mouth and monitor the set of the material. If the material becomes rubbery after 2 minutes, remove the tray from the patient’s mouth. Let the material set for 4 more minutes before removing it from the alginate impression.

STEP 5 Try the temporary crown in place and make sure there is a good marginal seal and correct occlusal contacts. If the margin is open, clinicians can use Temrex ResinX to seal the open margins because diurethane dimethacrylate is compatible with most composite resins.

STEP 6 Polish the crown with Temrex Composite Polishing Paste.

STEP 7 Cement the temporary crown into place with TNE temporary cement. This resin-based temporary cement is designed to firmly hold crowns and bridges in place for a long time.

STEP 8 After 1 year, replace the temporary crown with a permanent restoration. The temporary crown should retain its color and marginal integrity (Figs. 3 and 4). There should be no pitting of the surface, no wear on the occlusal surface and the margins should still be sealed. The tooth preparation should not have any evidence of staining or caries, confirming a good marginal seal.

Closing thought

DuraTemp is a strong, color stable temporary crown and bridge material that allows clinicians to quickly fabricate a temporary crown or bridge. There is very little heat generated during setting so the pulp is not traumatized and patients don’t have to deal with a foul taste. Selecting material for a temporary prosthesis is just as important as selecting materials for the final restoration. DuraTemp allows clinicians to fabricate a strong, reliable temporary restoration that will last at least 1 year.