A dental implant abutment is a small but essential component of a dental implant system. It acts as the connector between the implant post (embedded in the jawbone) and the final restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture.
What Does a Dental Implant Abutment Do?
✔ Secures the prosthetic tooth to the implant
✔ Distributes chewing forces evenly for long-term durability
✔ Supports a natural-looking smile by maintaining gum tissue shape
Types of Dental Implant Abutments
🦷 Stock Abutments – Pre-made in standard sizes, commonly used for routine cases.
🦷 Custom Abutments – Personalized for a more precise fit and better aesthetics.
🦷 Healing Abutments – Temporary abutments used to shape the gum tissue before placing the final prosthetic.
Materials Used
🔹 Titanium – Strong, biocompatible, and widely used.
🔹 Zirconia – Tooth-colored for better aesthetics, ideal for visible teeth.
🔹 Gold & Alloys – Less common but useful for certain clinical needs.
How is an Abutment Placed?
1️⃣ Implant Surgery – The implant is surgically placed in the jawbone.
2️⃣ Healing Period – The bone fuses with the implant (osseointegration).
3️⃣ Abutment Placement – A small procedure exposes the implant, and the abutment is attached.
4️⃣ Final Restoration – The custom crown, bridge, or denture is secured.
FAQs
❓ Is getting an abutment painful?
🗸 It’s a minor procedure, typically done with local anesthesia.
❓ How do you clean around an abutment?
🗸 Brush and floss daily, and use an interdental brush for hard-to-reach areas.
❓ Can an abutment be replaced?
🗸 Yes, if damaged or if a better fit is needed.