ANSWERS

How are lab-fabricated provisionals milled?

Lab-fabricated provisionals are milled from PMMA or bis-acryl pucks on 5-axis CNC mills using a CAD design derived from the intraoral scan and diagnostic wax-up. At Dani Dental, the file is nested, milled in 45 to 90 minutes per unit, then hand-finished and polished.

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Why it works this way

The digital workflow behind a milled provisional

A lab-fabricated provisional starts with the intraoral scan or poured-model scan the referring clinician sends in. The CAD technician designs the temporary against the prep, the opposing arch, and the diagnostic wax-up or smile design, then nests the STL onto a PMMA puck. PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) is the dominant material for milled provisionals because it holds margins under 50 microns and resists fracture for the 4 to 12 week service window most cases require. Bis-acryl and composite pucks are used when the case demands higher esthetics or shorter wear time.

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What material is best for a milled provisional crown?

PMMA is the standard for milled provisionals lasting 4 to 12 weeks. It mills cleanly, holds margins under 50 microns, and polishes to a luster that survives daily wear. Bis-acryl and reinforced composite pucks are used for shorter service windows or higher anterior esthetic demands. For long-term provisionals on full-arch implant cases, multi-layer PMMA with characterized incisal zones gives the best combination of strength and shade match through the healing phase.

How long does a milled PMMA provisional last in the mouth?

A well-finished milled PMMA provisional reliably serves 4 to 12 weeks in the mouth, which covers the typical interval between prep and final delivery on crown and bridge cases. For full-arch implant conversions where the provisional carries load through osseointegration, the same PMMA construction holds for 4 to 6 months when occlusion is verified and the patient follows soft-diet guidance. Beyond that window, the polish degrades and stain pickup increases, so the case should be progressing to the final.

Can a lab mill a provisional from an intraoral scan alone?

Yes, when the scan captures the prep margins, the opposing arch, and the bite registration cleanly. The CAD technician designs the provisional directly from the STL, references the pre-op scan or diagnostic wax-up for contour, and nests the file for the mill. No physical impression or model pour is required for single-unit and short-span cases. For full-arch and complex anterior esthetic cases, a verification model is still printed to check fit and contact before the provisional ships.

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This answer is one piece of a larger workflow. The pillar page covers materials, turnaround, and how we build the case to your specification.

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