Implant dentistry has taken huge strides over the past 5 years especially from an esthetic and functional standpoint. This is true for large cases involved full mouth dental implants to even the single tooth replacement. One of the best advancements for implants has been the advent of bone level implants (there are several excellent ones such as Straumann, Astra, and Nobel) and then the use of what is called a custom abutment. This is the part that is fabricated and connected to the dental implant that the crown is place onto. In the photo, notice the white piece that projects out of the gums. This is a zirconium custom abutment made by Atlantis. It is designed to mimic the natural tooth root form and to preserve the gum tissue architecture.
Zirconium Custom Dental Implant Abutment
All Porcelain Crown on Custom Dental Implant Abutment
The use of “stock” abutments does not allow for these features and can cause problems. Stock abutments are usually much narrower than the natural tooth root. This can allow for food to get stuck around the implant as well as cause gum irritation. The irritation comes from not being able to control where the abutment and crown meet. Using custom abutments also allows one to be sure no cement is lodged under the gums. Custom abutment usage allows for excellent esthetics. In this photo, the zirconium abutment is white and can be used with an all ceramic crown. No metals are used so no dark lines will ever be seen as is common with porcelain to metal crowns and metal abutments. Finally, custom abutments allow for us to correct misangled or misaligned implants and still be able to acheive optimal results when some dental implants have not been properly placed. If you have any questions about Houston Dental Implants, Houston Cosmetic Dentistry, or Houston TMJ, please feel free to contact our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF 713-668-2289
