Methods of using hardenable dental articles

1. A method comprising:

placing a film onto a dental structure to cover at least a portion of the dental structure, wherein the film has a modulus of less than 900 MPa, and wherein the film is chosen from hydrocarbon films and polymeric films;

providing a preformed hardenable dental article chosen from crowns, bridges, implants, artificial teeth, inlays, onlays, veneers, temporary restorations, implant healing caps, tooth splints, implant abutments, copings, posts, bridge structures, abutments, and maxillofacial prostheses,

wherein the dental article is temporary, intermediate, or permanent, and

wherein the hardenable dental article comprises a base and an inner surface extending from the base, and wherein the hardenable dental article comprises a hardenable dental composition;

applying the hardenable dental article to the dental structure covered by the film;

curing the hardenable dental article to provide a hardened dental article; and

removing the film after curing.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising customizing the shape of the hardenable dental article.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least partially curing the hardenable dental article after the applying step.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film is in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface during the curing step.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising trimming the hardenable dental article before the curing step, after the curing step, or both before and after the curing step.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the film is removed in a single piece.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the film is in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the dental structure during the curing step.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising contouring and shaping of the hardenable dental article.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising cementing the hardened dental article to the dental structure.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film has a modulus of less than 600 MPa.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film has a break elongation of less than 900%.

12. The method of claim 2 , wherein the film is in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the dental structure during the customizing step.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hardenable dental article is chosen from a crown, an inlay, an onlay, a bridge, a veneer, a maxillofacial prosthesis, an artificial tooth, and a tooth splint.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hardenable dental article is a crown.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric film is chosen from polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, and combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film has a thickness of 10 μm to 200 μm.