This refers to the step of the dental implant process in which the type of abutment that will serve the patient best is decided upon. Several factors are taken into consideration when choosing an abutment, some of which include the height of the soft tissue, the angulation of the dental implant, the planned prosthesis, interarch space, occlusal factors (e.g., antagonist teeth and parafunctional activities), phonetic considerations and esthetics. In addition, some patients will require two surgical sessions to complete their dental implant restoration. During the first surgery, these patients receive healing abutments. The healing abutments remain intact until the gum has healed around the dental implant. Once healing is complete, the final abutments and permanent prosthesis can be placed.
Types of abutments include:
- Anatomic healing abutments
- Angulated abutments/Angled abutments
- CAD/CAM abutments
- Custom abutments
- Castable abutments
- Healing abutments/Healing cuffs
- Nonangulated abutments
- Prepable abutments
- Multi-unit abutments
- Transmucosal abutments
- Prefabricated abutments
- Zirconium dioxide abutments (standard or customized)
- Temporary abutments