Dental abutments prepared for fixed prostheses encounter multiple forms of intraoral aggression. Safeguarding the dentition, pulpal tissues, and periodontal apparatus, therefore, necessitates the use of provisional restorations. The present investigation sought to gauge the level of understanding and everyday practice patterns surrounding provisional fixed dental prostheses (PFDPs) among dental clinicians working in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online self-completion questionnaire captured responses from 312 dentists (general dental practitioners and specialty-trained clinicians) distributed across Saudi Arabia. The instrument examined clinical understanding through 11 questions and practice behaviors through a further 9 questions, both centered on PFDPs. Analytical procedures covered descriptive summaries, chi-square testing, and multivariable logistic regression. Sufficient understanding of PFDPs was evident in just 46.5% of the sample. Specialty-trained clinicians outperformed general dentists on knowledge scores (57.4% vs. 41.7%, p = 0.011) and demonstrated greater awareness of how PFDPs influence eventual treatment success. Regarding practice behaviors, although 94.2% of the sample reported routinely delivering PFDPs, only 66.0% indicated doing so on every occasion. In addition, PFDP disinfection was seldom or never carried out by 21.2% of dentists. Custom-fabricated PFDP adoption was more pronounced among public-sector practitioners and specialists. Notable knowledge gaps were identified in the domain of fabrication materials and armamentarium, most notably in CAD/CAM workflows. Notwithstanding the finding that most Saudi dentists issued PFDPs to individuals under their care, substantial knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding manufacturing materials and procedural methods. Focused educational efforts, particularly aimed at the general dentist workforce, appear necessary to improve therapeutic outcomes.
