Dental implants have revolutionized the way that missing teeth can be dealt with. Instead of having dentures that have to be replaced on a fairly regular basis, patients can choose the option of having a dental implant that closely matches the function, appearance and longevity of a real tooth. An important part of this process is the types of materials and components that your dentist chooses to use. One of the key components of a dental implant is called the abutment. This is the part that connects the dental implant to the crown that serves as your new tooth. There are two types of dental implant abutments: stock (pre-manufactured) and customized. There are advantages to having your dentist use a customized abutment.

Tissue Management and Support

A dental implant is a surgical procedure, which means that the gum tissues in your mouth (as well as the underlying bone in your jaw into which the implant is inserted) will be affected until they have had time to adjust to the presence of your new tooth. Customized abutments (because they are designed specifically for your mouth and not some generalized mouth) do a better job of supporting these tissues.

Support for and Retention of the Crown

The primary purpose of an abutment is to keep the crown in position inside your mouth. A customized abutment often does a much better job of supporting the crown and ensuring that it stays in place. The minimally greater cost involved in a customized abutment is far less than you would have to spend to replace your crown if it were dislodged and damaged.

Superior Aesthetic Result

Using a customized abutment, your dentist can ensure that your crown has an excellent profile relative to your gum line. The result is a much more pleasing effect than you will usually get by using a pre-manufactured abutment.

No Last Minute Modifications

When using a pre-manufactured abutment, dentists at clinics like Michels & Gauquie Cosmetic and Family Dentistry are often required to make chair side modifications to get the result they want. With a custom-made abutment, these kinds of adjustments (with their resulting delays) are no longer necessary.

Extremely Precise Machining

A customized dental implant abutment is manufactured using the latest in CAD/CAM technology and the highest quality milling processes. The result is extreme precision, meaning you'll get a dental abutment that is perfectly designed for your needs. In addition, customized abutments can work for all major dental implant systems.