5 Benefits Behind Temporary Restorations: An Overview for Students in Restorative Dental Hygiene College

become a restorative dental hygienist

Dental restoration is designed to help teeth last for a long time. For that reason, dental professionals dedicate a lot of time to getting each fitting right. Crowns, veneers, and other types of dental fillings require preparation which could take a few days or even a couple of weeks. This would ordinarily leave clients in discomfort during the waiting period, but temporary restorations are fitted by restorative dental hygienists in the meantime.

These temps can be applied directly to the client’s mouth or indirectly by taking a mold of the affected tooth and creating it in a dental lab. Both options provide tremendous relief for the client and provide them with a trial run of what the long-term restoration would feel like. Here’s a look at five reasons why these temps have become a necessity in dental clinics.

1. Temporary Restorations Allow Clients to Check what the Finished Product Will Look Like

A large part of why people undergo dental work is to get their teeth looking aesthetically pleasing. A set of straight teeth can make all the difference in a client’s confidence.

A temporary restoration fitted by a graduate of restorative dental hygiene college gives the client the opportunity to get a first impression of what the final restoration will actually look like. They’ll then be able to commit to the completion of the dental work or backtrack if they are unhappy with the likely result.

2. Clients Can Eat and Speak Normally with a Temporary Restoration

A lot of the preparation for dental work, such as veneers or crowns, is carried out at an early stage, leaving behind an incomplete tooth which can be uncomfortable for clients. A temporary restoration provides relief while the permanent option is being created. While there are limitations on what clients should eat or drink at this time, it does give them a bit more freedom about their food choices. Clients are warned, however, that temps are more sensitive to cold and hot items, and that chewing is a bit more difficult.

A temporary restoration is applied to the prepared tooth (right)
A temporary restoration is applied to the prepared tooth (right)

3. Existing Teeth Are Protected Before the Completion of Restoration Work

Dental work is often a daunting process for clients, but the long-term relief is terrific. It would be a shame if good work was ruined at the halfway point by failing to protect the tooth/teeth which have already undergone preparatory work. A temporary restoration is fitted over them as a protective barrier, and also prevents them from moving. This ensures that when the temporary restoration is removed, the restorative dental hygienist can get straight to work on fitting the permanent mold.

4. It Highlights Potential Problems, Therefore Saving Time and Money

You quickly learn during restorative hygiene training that temporary restorations are a great way to identify problems with a filling’s shape or with the way it fits in the mouth. The permanent mold must allow the client to chew or bite on food as normal, and temporary fittings are a cost-effective means of preventing long-term issues. They provide peace of mind to the dental professional and client that the work will be effective in the long run.

Temps help make sure that the permanent restoration fits perfectly
Temps help make sure that the permanent restoration fits perfectly

5. Pros With Restorative Hygiene Training Know It’s Crucial for Gum Protection

Gums can be extremely sensitive, particularly when a new area has been exposed after dental work. Temporary restorations block off potential harm to the gumline, thus ensuring that the client is comfortable between trips to the dental clinic. It also allows the gum to become used to the feeling of an inserted mold before the permanent restoration is fitted a few weeks afterwards. In this way, temporary restorations provide much-appreciated benefits to clients receiving dental care.

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