Protemp Crown Temporization Material from 3M ESPE. This new, innovative product makes temporization a breeze! Not only will your assistants love it for its simplicity and ease, but your patients will also feel confident with their new temps. Essentially, Protemp Crown is a “crown in a box” that comes in one universal shade and a variety of preformed sizes.
It is the world’s first single-unit, malleable, and light-curable composite crown. No impression, matrix, or hardware is needed. To fabricate, simply select the appropriate size using the included sizing tool and adapt the crown to the preparation, trimming any excess material. Then, light cure, polish, and cement it using your temporary cement of choice. Using Protemp Crown, a provisional can be fabricated in less than four minutes. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
Case Presentation
A patient presented to the practice with a fractured amalgam restoration with recurrent decay that extended into the nerve. She complained of constant throbbing pain. The radiograph exhibited a periapical lesion at the apex of the root. All risks, benefits and alternatives were reviewed with the patient.
Once anesthetic was administered, any remaining amalgam and caries were removed and root canal therapy was initiated. Utilizing a rotary endodontic system, the root canal was completed in a timely fashion. A post and core restoration was placed and the tooth was prepared for a full coverage crown (Figure 1).
Because the tooth was severely broken down from the fracture, no initial impression was taken for a provisional restoration. Using the provided disposable measuring tool (Figure 2) for the Protemp Crown Temporization Material, the mesial-distal width of the prepared space was measured to determine the proper temporary crown size.
Upon selecting the proper size, the preformed crown was removed from the package (Figure 3). The protective liner was removed (Figure 4) and the crown was lightly rolled between thumb and finger to warm it slightly to increase the malleability. The crown was seated on the preparation and the margins were adapted with finger pressure. Excess material was trimmed off (Figure 5) to allow full seating.
The patient was instructed to bite into the crown to form the occlusal contacts. While biting, the buccal aspect was tack cured with a curing light for 2-3 seconds. The patient was instructed to open, and while holding the buccal surface, the lingual surface was adapted and tack cured for 2-3 seconds.
The Protemp Crown was carefully removed and light cured outside the mouth for another 40 seconds. A small amount of trimming and finishing was accomplished and the crown was seated with temporary cement (Figure 6). When the patient returned, the temporary was removed and the preparation cleaned. The definitive crown restoration was tried for fit and verified with a radiograph. Minor adjustments to the final crown were made and the crown was seated (Figure7).
Review
Protemp Crown Temporization Material from 3M provides a great alternative for single unit crowns. In fact, I have used them when doing quadrant dentistry of more than one tooth because the material will adhere to itself and then bond after curing. This material and technique allow for a greatly simplified temporization procedure. It does not require any separate impressions, matrix, or mixing. There are nine sizes available for single unit posterior teeth that include cuspid, bicuspid, and molar. I have yet to find the need for repairs of voids. However, if additions are needed, a flowable composite can be easily used. In short, Protemp Crown can significantly help reduce chair time and increase overall practice productivity.
Some of the features I found exciting were:
- No impression or matrix needed
- No mess on adjacent teeth
- Easy to achieve proper occlusion
- No unpleasant odor or taste
- Great anatomy that looks real
- Keeps the occlusion in place for final restoration
Figures
Figure 1: Prepared tooth for full coverage crown
Figure 2: Crown sizing tool
Figure 3: Protemp in container
Figure 4: Protective liner removed
Figure 5: Trimming off of excess material
Figure 6: Protemp seated
Figure 7: Final restoration