Do you know what a dental abutment is? One of the methods that can be used to replace missing teeth is an implant. An implant is a device that plays the role of a fixed artificial tooth in the mouth and is specially made.
The implant consists of a multi-part structure, the set of these components creates an implant tooth. Among the components of the implant, we can mention the abutment, fixture, crown, and artificial cover. When the root of the tooth is lost for some reason, using the implant method, its components are welded on the jawbone and act like the root of the tooth, and then an artificial crown is placed on it. In this article, we intend to provide you with information about abutment.
The abutment in the dental implant is the foundation of the dental prosthesis and plays the role of support. This important piece, which acts as an interface between the implant base and the dental prosthesis, is connected to the implant when the bone tissue and the soft tissue of the gums are completely healed after the implant base is implanted in the bone. Maintenance and preservation of prosthesis and upper structures is the main task of abutment and without it, the implant loses its meaning. This part is produced in different shapes and types, each of which is selected and used according to the patient’s condition. In the following, we provide you with information about their types and functions to get to know more about this part.
To better understand what an abutment is, you need to know its material. In general, various materials such as titanium, stainless steel, zirconia, and even gold are used in the construction of this part. In dental implants, titanium abutment is used more than other materials, which is due to the extraordinary properties of its alloys. One of the most important reasons for using titanium is its compatibility with the body, which does not cause allergies. Titanium has high strength and, most importantly, can be used with any type of dental prosthesis.
If you want to make your teeth more beautiful, use a zirconium abutment. In most cases, people who have used metal abutments are dissatisfied with the appearance of the shadow of the used metal and the disharmony of the color of the teeth. So that you don’t have the problem of this group of people, you can use zirconium abutment. Titanium and zirconia are mostly used in dental implant surgery, but as we said, gold alloys, stainless steel, etc. are also used.
After completing the implant surgery and passing the recovery period of 3 to 6 months, which is done to further weld the implant and the bone, the abutment is installed on the implant. For this purpose, prefabricated or custom abutments may be used, which we will discuss here:
Prefabricated or stock abutments are professionally produced by manufacturers. Unlike custom abutments and impression copings, prefabricated implant abutments are made by high-tech manufacturers and directly selected by the Fixerwell mold. Prefabricated abutments are cheaper than custom abutments, they are easy to use, and less time is spent on dental implants.
This type of abutment is specially made for each patient in laboratories, that’s why it is called custom abutment. To make these types of abutments, dentists in Windsor use impression coping to make a mold for the Lule fixture. You should note that the part that connects to the dental implant is the impression coping. The use of impression copings is to determine the position of the dental crown. The dentists who are working on restoration make a mold of the shape of the gums and the position of the implant, and the laboratories produce customized abutments and maintain the gum tissue like natural teeth.
Connecting the abutment to the tooth also has different methods, in the first method, special dental glue is used to connect it, and these glues are connected to the tooth like veneers and are more useful in terms of beautification. In the second method, a lag screw is used to connect the abutment to the tooth, and in this method, to connect the abutment to the tooth using the screw, the screw is passed through the tooth veneer. Once the screw is in place, the hole is filled with resin. In the third method, special appendages are used to connect the abutment to the tooth, which is mounted on the implant, thus making artificial teeth or implants firm.
Among the complications that people may face after implant installation are:
It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for the gums to heal around the abutments. During this time, follow your surgeon’s recommendations about the types of foods you should eat. You will also be given instructions for cleaning around the abutments. Proper cleaning prevents infection and promotes faster recovery.
Since the dental abutment plays the role of the interface between the fixture and the cover, if its material is not strong and durable, the entire implant system will be affected. Therefore, if your dentist does not pay special attention to the type and type of abutment in addition to examining the condition of the jaw bone and other teeth, you will face the complications of implant installation. Visiting the best dental clinic can solve your worries in this regard.