5 Steps To Modifying Shade For Provisional Restorations

Solving Esthetic Dilemmas for Provisional Restorations Part 3

If the provisional you just completed is too low in chroma or too bright, it can be easily modified using light-cured stains and an over glaze.

If the problem is that the provisional is too bright, lavender or violet stains can be applied to lower the value. Gray stain can be used, but it is not my preference. I would only use gray if it is a complex gray, made by mixing yellow, blue and red pigments. Most gray stains are made by mixing white and black pigments. 

If the problem is that a provisional is too low in chroma (intensity of color), application of a stain that is in the appropriate hue would be done. 

For example, if you are going to go from A1 to A2, the stain has to be in the ‘A’ range. The classic Vita shade guide ‘A’ range is yellow-orange, ‘B’ is predominantly yellow, ‘C’ is yellow-gray and ‘D’ is yellow-red.  

I normally apply an excessive amount of stain and then remove stain until I achieve the desired shade. This can be done intraorally or extraorally. 

Follow these steps to accomplish the shade or value adjustment:

1. Finalize the desired contour and surface texture.
2. Micro air abrade the surface with 50-micron aluminum oxide at 20-40 psi at a distance of 1.0 cm.
3. Clean the surface with an air water spray or in an ultrasonic using water.
4. Apply the surface stain as required to adjust the intensity of the color or value. I use light-cured stains (Tokuyoma Estelite Color). 
   • After the shade/value adjustment is achieved, light cure.
5. A light cured surface glaze must be applied over the surface, which has been characterized. I use GC America OptiGlaze.

Your patients will greatly appreciate this customization of the provisional to achieve a more esthetic outcome.  

(Click this link to read more dentistry articles by Dr. Bob Winter.)

Bob Winter, D.D.S., Spear Faculty and Contributing Author