Also known as a ball attachment, a ball abutment is a type of extracoronal attachment mechanism used with dental implants to retain an overdenture. It consists of a spherical shaped abutment, which fits into an attachment metal housing. Prior to the implant procedure, a patient must first experience full gingival healing. Following this, proper measurement of the tissue thickness must be taken to ensure the correct abutment fit. Once the right attachment diameter is selected, the abutment is properly threaded into place and adjusted using a driver. The attachment part of the mechanism is then seated into the base of the overdenture and the denture itself is affixed to the implant. These metal attachment housings can be exchanged for alternate sizes if needed to create a proper fit. Utilizing a ball abutment can also allow for easier replacement of components and is associated with less stress on the implant. Ball abutments come in a variety of materials and the one selected may depend on the nature of the procedure and the type of implant.