How can tooth drifting be prevented after endodontics when a definitive restoration is delayed?

Preventing tooth drifting after endodontic treatment, particularly when a definitive restoration is not immediately placed, is essential for maintaining occlusal relationships and preventing complications. An interim restoration serves as a temporary solution that provides protection to the tooth until a permanent restoration can be completed.

The interim restoration helps to fill the tooth's space, thereby maintaining tooth position and preventing adjacent teeth from tilting or drifting into the empty space. This is particularly critical in the case of endodontically treated teeth, which may be more vulnerable to changes in surrounding dental structure without proper coverage.

While other approaches, such as space maintenance wires or dental bonding, have specific applications, they may not directly address the preservation of the tooth structure in need of restoration as effectively as an interim restoration. Indirect patterns for posterior teeth may also not be practical for interim situations. Thus, using an interim restoration is the most appropriate and effective method to maintain the integrity and position of a tooth post-endodontics.