Custom abutments with CAD/CAM technique
With restorations made on implants, too, the most durable and most aesthetic results are preceded by thorough planning. We can think here of selecting the right implant, placing it in an ideal position, supporting the development of soft tissue of the necessary quantity and quality, and then, after uncovering, individual soft tissue contouring as well.
Once these conditions are met, on the dental laboratory side we can do the most with individually designed abutments to ensure that a restoration has the highest possible aesthetics and proves durable later on.
In what way does a custom abutment offer more than a conventional one?
Primarily in that we can shape the emergence profile — that is, the surfaces in contact with the soft tissues — according to the anatomy of the tooth being replaced, as opposed to stock components, where the gingival profile most often has a simple circular cross-section.
Secondly, the individual form of course also has a favourable effect on the aesthetic and biomechanical properties of the coronal part.
On a few occasions it would not even be possible to solve cases using stock abutments. This might be an implant with an extreme axial position, or a situation requiring an abutment with a greater gingival height than the available stock solution.
In our laboratory we do not use casting technique or milling machines to machine the connections. We only offer custom abutments in which the connection to the implant is factory-made. This guarantees an appropriate fit.
For the sake of later epithelial attachment, the subgingival parts may only be polished titanium or zirconia surfaces!
The types of custom abutments:
Titanium custom abutment:
One-piece (monoblock) abutments. They are produced from so-called PreFace blanks using milling technique. The connection to the implant is created under industrial conditions, while the emergence profile and the coronal part are milled individually, according to the CAD designs. Available at the most favourable price, for more than 80 implant platforms.
Zirconia custom abutment:
One-piece zirconia abutments are produced in milling centres from a special zirconia material that cannot be stained. Its advantage is that it is metal-free; in some cases it is the only ideal solution for aesthetic restorations (for example in patients with a thin gingival phenotype, or in certain implant positions where metal parts can be disturbing). Its disadvantage, alongside the high price, is a greater risk of screw loosening and fracture compared to titanium abutments.
Zirconia custom abutment on a titanium base:
A two-part abutment that can combine the advantages of the previous types. The titanium bases are factory-made, so they allow the most accurate fit. The emergence profile and the coronal part are realised in zirconia, which is then bonded to the titanium base. Aesthetic, stainable, and can be produced in the laboratory. Its advantage is that the screw engages a factory titanium component, so there is no stress on the zirconia abutment and the chance of screw loosening is also the lowest. Available for almost every implant. Our best solution.
