Abstract
Provisional restorations are worn for short or long-term placement on teeth between the time of tooth preparation until the definitive indirect restorations are placed. Bacterial colonization and subsequent development of periodontal problems are linked to the type of material used. The objective of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the bacterial colonization on the surface of commonly used provisional materials and to compare it with the CAD/CAM milled methyl methacrylate resin. Ten cylindrical specimens were prepared from four temporary fixed prosthodontic materials. Three conventional provisional fixed prosthodontic materials and one CAD/CAM milled methyl methacrylate were used to study the surface roughness, surface wettability and bacterial colonization on the surface using an in vitro method. S. mutans was used to study the bacterial adhesion to the surface of the materials. The surface properties of the four tested materials varied and were correlated with bacterial colonization on the surface. A statistically significant reduction in bacterial colonization was found with the CAD/CAM milled PMMA compared to the conventional provisional restorative materials used. It can be concluded that the CAD/CAM milled polymethyl methacrylate was superior in terms of surface characteristics as well as inhibition of bacterial colonization. Further in vivo studies are recommended to substantiate the present observations.