Abutments

Abutments

With two-part implant systems the implant replaces the root of a missing tooth. A titanium, precious metal alloy or zirconium oxide abutment (also implant abutment) is used as a core (also secondary unit). It is fitted in, on and/or around the implant.

Abutments are differentiated into different types depending on the function, e.g. definitive shapes of provisional abutments used to connect the implant with the superstructure. Abutments can copy the shape of a prepared tooth and/or incorporate a component of a connector (e.g. telescope crowns, press-stud systems, ball and socket units, bars, magnets). In these cases the superstructure envelops the respective complementary components.

zwei-tube-in-tube   Two tube-in-tube abutments

The contact area between abutment and implant is also called the interface.

Though previously the diameter of the fitting surface of abutments was always the same as that of the implant platform, modern abutments are often smaller in this area. This so-called platform-switching is intended to result in improved bone preservation.

To avoid wear, stress peaks, leverage, loosening and material fatigue or even fracture, movements of abutment and implant against each other must be prevented. To ensure this, a precision fit must be achieved, i.e. as gap-free a three-dimensional fit as possible. Mainly two types of fit have become established: inner conical connection or cylindrical/parallel-walled tube-in-tube connection, each with additional interlocking slot and key to provide rotational security.

Konische Abutments, Rotationsschutz   Rotationally secure conical abutments 

Friction fit is achieved by pressing together the surfaces in contact (producing friction), seldom without the use of screws (using cold welding) and usually with a fixation screw tensioned to a defined torque. The torque is optimised so that on the one hand, wherever possible the screw, and consequently the abutment, cannot loosen and on the other hand the screw cannot fracture. Screw connections cause gaps, which can be colonised by bacteria. Special gels, which can be applied to the inside of the implant, are available for providing long-term disinfection.

Angled abutments are used to compensate for divergences of the axes of different abutments, i.e. achieve parallelisation to attain a common path of insertion. The number of possible positions of such non-rotationally symmetric abutments is determined according to the number of corners with rotationally secure polygon fits (e.g. triangular, hexagonal or octagonal). Having two types of angulation ("over the edge" and "over the corner" respectively), provides for twice as many positions as corners in total.

Prefabricated standard abutments can be fitted unaltered or modified (customised), e.g. clinically by preparation intraorally or by milling, casting-on, veneering in the laboratory. Customised abutments can also be fabricated – in particular using modern CAD/CAM procedures.

To avoid inaccessible excess cement, which could result in peri-implantitis and implant failure, the margins of cemented superstructures should always finish in the gingival region. This can be achieved by incorporating an appropriate metal collar to the correct height on the abutment – particularly with bone level implant platforms.

Impression-taking and transferring of intraoral positions can be performed at implant level (without abutment) or at abutment level (with fitted abutment). Laboratory analogues are available for specific situations in the latter case.