The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry Ozcelik and Yilmaz Interim restorations are fabricated to protect the prepared tooth struc- ture during the period between tooth preparation and the definitive restora- tion and are essential to prosthodon- tic therapy. 1 Interim restorations should protect dentin and pulpal tis- sues against invasive microorganisms, saliva, and food, which may penetrate the dentinal tubules and result in sensitivity as well as prevent thermal conduction necessary for increased patient comfort. 2 Several laboratory and clinical techniques for the fabrication of inter- im restorations have been described, including the indirect technique, 3 di- rect technique, 4 and indirect-direct techniques 5 for both single- and mul- tiple-unit fixed restorations. 1 The indi- rect technique is widely used in clini- cal practice. However, this approach requires additional time and labora- A modified direct technique for the fabrication of fixed interim restorations Tuncer Burak Ozcelik, DDS, PhD, a and Burak Yilmaz, DDS, PhD b Faculty of Dentistry, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey; The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio a Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Baskent University. b Implant Prosthodontic Fellow, Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry, The Ohio State University, College of Den- tistry; Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Baskent University. (J Prosthet Dent 2008;100:328-329) tory support. 1 Due to these disadvan- tages, some clinicians prefer direct techniques that allow a shortened procedure for the fabrication of in- terim fixed partial dentures chairside. However, the direct techniques also have disadvantages, such as tempera- ture increases 6 which may be harmful to the tooth and voids or discrepan- cies 7 that may occur in critical areas during the clinical fabrication of an interim fixed restoration. This article describes an alternative modified method for the direct technique used for the fabrication of interim fixed res- torations. In the authors’ opinion, the advan- tages of this modified technique are that the excess acrylic material will flow out into the grooves prepared in the impression material to the buccal and lingual surfaces of the abutment tooth in the impression; therefore, the interim restoration will have ap- propriate morphologic form with minimal marginal adjustments and trimming required by the clinician. However, when grooves are not pre- pared, the adjustment and trimming of bulky excess material as well as potential voids may cause discrepan- cies in the restoration margins (Fig. 1). This can result in gingival inflam- mation or tooth sensitivity if the dis- crepancy is not rectified properly. The excess material that cannot flow out of the impression could also cause discrepancies in the occlusal rela- tionship with the antagonist tooth as well. The flow of excess material into the grooves helps to provide the uniform application of pressure dur- ing the polymerization of the material intraorally, which may minimize void formation and occlusal problems. Furthermore, this modified technique A B 1 A, Impression without grooves. B, Grooves prepared for excess acrylic resin material.