All Ceramic Implant Abutment
Posted on 08/01/2011
As single unit implant restorations became more common, the use of both pre-fabricated metal abutments or UCLA abutments began to see their limitations. Specifically, restorations in the maxillary anterior demanded a more cosmetic option than metal margins.
To address this challenge, the ceramic abutment was developed, and has become increasingly popular over the past several years. This style of abutment is the third and final abutment type that we classified.
The ceramic abutments are typically constructed using CAD/CAM technology whereby the doctor will send a digital impression to the lab or the lab will scan a poured model. A machine will then mill out a ceramic abutment - typically made of zirconia. Many implant companies now sell pre-fabricated zirconia abutments that can be adjuted by the lab. And although it is possible to wax and press an abutment using standard pressing techniques, the materials available - even a material as strong as IPS E.Max (360mpa), is not recommended as an abutment.
The ceramic abutment typically comes in a pure white color - although there are now options to mill shaded abutment. Additionally, ceramic abutments can be milled as either complete abutments with the connection made in zirconia, or as combination zirconia with titanium base (zirconia abutment is cemented to the titanium base by the lab). The advantage of the zirconia with a titanium base is that the doctor eliminates the chance of fracturing the abutment when torquing. The all ceramic abutment can and does fracture if torqued to tightly or if too much pressure is applied to the screw.
We highly recommend the latter option - the zirconia abutment with the titanium base.
To address this challenge, the ceramic abutment was developed, and has become increasingly popular over the past several years. This style of abutment is the third and final abutment type that we classified.
The ceramic abutments are typically constructed using CAD/CAM technology whereby the doctor will send a digital impression to the lab or the lab will scan a poured model. A machine will then mill out a ceramic abutment - typically made of zirconia. Many implant companies now sell pre-fabricated zirconia abutments that can be adjuted by the lab. And although it is possible to wax and press an abutment using standard pressing techniques, the materials available - even a material as strong as IPS E.Max (360mpa), is not recommended as an abutment.
The ceramic abutment typically comes in a pure white color - although there are now options to mill shaded abutment. Additionally, ceramic abutments can be milled as either complete abutments with the connection made in zirconia, or as combination zirconia with titanium base (zirconia abutment is cemented to the titanium base by the lab). The advantage of the zirconia with a titanium base is that the doctor eliminates the chance of fracturing the abutment when torquing. The all ceramic abutment can and does fracture if torqued to tightly or if too much pressure is applied to the screw.
We highly recommend the latter option - the zirconia abutment with the titanium base.
