Pre-Fabricated Metal Implant Abutments
Posted on 07/28/2011
Continuing our discussion regarding the implant abutment, it is important for us classify the types of abutments available. These classifications are our own, and based on current products available in 2011.
Three general styles of abutments:
1. Prefabricated Metal Abutment
2. UCLA Abutment
3. Ceramic Abutment
Over the next several blog posts, we will discuss each of these abutments in detail.
Prefabricated Metal Abutment
The prefabricated metal abutment refers to a metal abutment that has been machined or cast by the implant company and not by the laboratory. Today, virtually every system offers both straight and angled metal abutments with many options for collar heights depending on subgingival depth of the implant. Typical metal abutments are machined from Titanium alloy - making them exceptionally biocompatible and durable.
The abutments can come in engaging or non-engaging platforms, although engaging abutments are much more common. This is because most pre-fabricated metal abutments are used for cement retained crowns or bridges. Creating a screw-retained crown with a metal abutment is quite difficult as techniques to cast to titanium alloys have not been successful.
Here are a list of advantages and disadvantages to the Pre-Fabricated Metal Abutment:
Advantages:
Cost - typically this is the least expensive way to create an abutment to support a crown.
Durability - titanium alloys are strong and durable
Biocompatibility - titanium is among the best materials for the mouth - remember that virtually all implants are made out of titanium.
Disadvantages:
Esthetics -- Because these abutments are prefabricated, the lab or doctor only has the option to modify them. In situations with limited inter-occlusal space, severely subgingival or supragingival implants, or angulation issues, these abutments cannot offer ideal esthetics
Flexibility - prefabricated abutments can pretty much only be used for cement retained crowns. Doctors who like the retrievability of a screw retained crown cannot use these abutments.
Three general styles of abutments:
1. Prefabricated Metal Abutment
2. UCLA Abutment
3. Ceramic Abutment
Over the next several blog posts, we will discuss each of these abutments in detail.
Prefabricated Metal Abutment
The prefabricated metal abutment refers to a metal abutment that has been machined or cast by the implant company and not by the laboratory. Today, virtually every system offers both straight and angled metal abutments with many options for collar heights depending on subgingival depth of the implant. Typical metal abutments are machined from Titanium alloy - making them exceptionally biocompatible and durable.
The abutments can come in engaging or non-engaging platforms, although engaging abutments are much more common. This is because most pre-fabricated metal abutments are used for cement retained crowns or bridges. Creating a screw-retained crown with a metal abutment is quite difficult as techniques to cast to titanium alloys have not been successful.
Here are a list of advantages and disadvantages to the Pre-Fabricated Metal Abutment:
Advantages:
Cost - typically this is the least expensive way to create an abutment to support a crown.
Durability - titanium alloys are strong and durable
Biocompatibility - titanium is among the best materials for the mouth - remember that virtually all implants are made out of titanium.
Disadvantages:
Esthetics -- Because these abutments are prefabricated, the lab or doctor only has the option to modify them. In situations with limited inter-occlusal space, severely subgingival or supragingival implants, or angulation issues, these abutments cannot offer ideal esthetics
Flexibility - prefabricated abutments can pretty much only be used for cement retained crowns. Doctors who like the retrievability of a screw retained crown cannot use these abutments.
