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ADEX exam

ADEX Provisional Crown Preparation – Step-by-Step Exam Guide

How to prepare, fabricate, and adjust a provisional crown for ADEX without losing marks on margins, contacts, or occlusion.

Quick Answers

What is ADEX looking for in the provisional crown exercise?

A stable, well-seated provisional with closed margins, acceptable occlusion, correct contour, and proper proximal contacts.

What causes automatic failure?

Rocking or severely ill-fitting provisional, open margins, gross overhangs, or clinically unacceptable occlusal or proximal relationships.

Do I need perfect anatomy?

No. You need a functional, smooth anatomy with no sharp ledges or obvious flat “table-top” surfaces.

How critical are proximal contacts?

Very. Open or excessively tight contacts are a common reason for significant point loss.

What is the biggest mistake candidates make?

Rushing the trimming and finishing stage, leaving overhangs, open/loose margins, or rough edges that would irritate tissue.

How can I practise smarter?

Use a simple checklist: fit, margin, contact, occlusion, contour. Grade each attempt against this list, not just “looks okay”.

1. Why the provisional crown station is high-yield

A provisional crown shows how safe and thoughtful you are as a clinician. Examiners are not looking for a lab-level masterpiece; they want a temporary restoration that protects the tooth, supports soft tissue, and does not damage the occlusion or contacts.

Many candidates lose marks here because they treat it as “just a temp” instead of a graded restoration with clear criteria.

2. Step 1 – Understand the criteria before you start

A typical ADEX provisional crown is evaluated under:

  • Fit and seating (no rocking)
  • Margin adaptation (no open margins, no gross overhangs)
  • Proximal contacts (not open, not excessively tight)
  • Occlusion (no major high points or loss of guidance)
  • Contours and surface finish (smooth, cleansable, non-irritating)

Simple mental checklist

Fit – Margin – Contact – Occlusion – Contour. If one is clearly wrong, your score drops fast.

3. Step 2 – Seating and trimming the provisional

After fabricating the provisional (using the matrix provided in the exam), focus on controlled trimming:

  • Seat fully and hold under firm pressure during polymerisation.
  • Remove the provisional carefully to avoid fractures.
  • Trim gross excess away from the gingival margin first.
  • Use slow-speed and hand instruments to refine margins.

Do not excessively thin the margins — you want adaptation, not a razor blade edge.

4. Step 3 – Checking and correcting margins

Margin adaptation is a major scoring category. You should be able to run an explorer gently along the margin without catching large gaps or ledges.

  • Check buccal, lingual/palatal, mesial, and distal margins.
  • Look for overhangs that would trap plaque.
  • Look for open margins you can see or feel with an explorer.

Automatic failure risks at the margin

● Clearly open margin
● Large overhang not corrected
● Unfinished, rough margins likely to damage tissue

5. Step 4 – Adjusting proximal contacts

Contacts should be tight enough to maintain position and prevent food impaction, but not so tight that the provisional cannot seat.

  • Use floss to test contacts (a slight “snap” is ideal).
  • Open contact = trap; very tight contact = seating problem.
  • Adjust contact using small, controlled movements, not heavy grinding.

6. Step 5 – Occlusion and functional contacts

Occlusion is graded for both comfort and function. A single high spot can be enough to cause downgrading.

  • Mark occlusion with articulating paper.
  • Reduce only high points, then re-check.
  • Ensure centric stops are acceptable; avoid creating a “flat” occlusal table.
  • In anterior cases, check protrusive and lateral contacts.

7. Step 6 – Final contour and polishing

The provisional should be smooth enough not to irritate the tongue or mucosa and easy to clean.

  • Round sharp edges and corners.
  • Polish to a satin or light-gloss finish, depending on material.
  • Maintain normal crown contour – no bulky overbuild, no severe under-contour.

8. Common ADEX provisional crown errors

  • Rocking provisional (poor fit on the preparation)
  • Open gingival or axial margins
  • Overbuilt interproximal area with food-trap potential
  • Flat, featureless occlusal surface or obvious high point
  • Rough or sharp surfaces not smoothed or polished

These problems are preventable if you slow down in the trimming and evaluation stages.

9. How this connects with other ADEX manikin tasks

The provisional crown station is easier if you have already worked through the ADEX Class II and Class III guides, because the same principles appear again: safe margins, enamel preservation, controlled finishing.

For a full picture of manikin scoring, combine this article with our ADEX scoring and fail-points guide.

10. How DentAIstudy helps you practise provisional crowns

DentAIstudy can turn the ADEX provisional criteria into targeted revision:

  • Checklist prompts for fit, margin, contact, and occlusion
  • Flashcards for common errors and automatic fails
  • Short OSCE-style scenarios about provisional complications
  • Step-by-step structured notes you can review between practice sessions

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References

  • ADEX Candidate Manual – Provisional Crown Criteria.
  • Fixed prosthodontics textbooks and clinical guidelines.
  • Standardised assessment rubrics for provisional restorations.