Implant Devices
As implant therapy becomes increasingly pivotal in dentistry, the need for picking the right materials and devices that aid in obtaining the perfect prosthesis is extremely crucial.In implant-retained dentures, abutments play an important role. They are responsible for providing a stable connection between the implant framework and the prosthesis.
Custom abutments, as their name suggests, are custom-made for patients. These abutments can be accurately milled to fit the crest of the tissue, or fabricated from zirconia for a better match to the patient’s teeth. For these reasons, they are highly recommended for use in the aesthetic zone. They will match a patient’s smile, even as the gums recede.
These abutments play an important role in the post-implant placing process. During the healing phase, the patient-specific contours of a custom abutment sculpt the peri-implant tissue in order to accommodate the final restoration, setting up a smooth and atraumatic transition when the time comes to deliver the final custom abutment and crown.
Final custom abutments are available in several materials, such as:
- PEEK- Titanium
- Cobalt-Chromium- Zirconia
Each material has its own advantages – PEEK has excellent biocompatibility, Titanium is the strongest and most durable, Co-Cr is the cheapest and Zirconia provides great aesthetic advantages for patients with a thin tissue biotype.Regardless of the material used, the abutment height, margins, contours and emergence profile are designed and milled with precision using CAD/CAM technology to meet the needs of individual patients. These abutments can be 3D printed too.
Advantages of Custom Abutments
- They help achieve a passive fit.
- The final restorations are manufactured to the patient’s exact gingival architecture, achieving an optimal emergence profile and a more aesthetically-pleasing outcome.
- It is easier to correct the angulation of the implants.
- Fewer chair-side adjustments are required.
- Very suited for cases with multiple implants, where there are many different angulations required.
As custom abutments provide a great fit for every tooth while also being easier for the patient to maintain due to accurate gingival contouring, these are the preferred choice by most dentists and patients.