A surgical guide stent will also be provided to the surgeon to allow for implant placement. Each implant itself is a titanium screw-like component that replaces the root of a tooth. It is inserted in the bone and cannot be seen in the mouth. I inserted a diagram that shows the implant components:
- Implant – placed in bone
- Abutment – sits on implant in the soft tissue
- Crown – for function and esthetics
The implant abutment, sometimes called the implant custom abutment, attaches to the implant with an abutment screw. It is customized to fit your tissue to provide both an esthetic and functional support for the temporary crown and the final crown. The diagram to the right shows an abutment under a crown.
Clinically, the implant fixture is not seen but is placed in the bone. The abutment is the interface or connector with the oral environment. While the implant is perfectly round in diameter, an abutment provides the proper emergence profile for both adequate support and ideal esthetics; it therefore is usually elliptical to be more like the shape of a real tooth.
After the implants are placed, surgeons usually wait approximately 2-4 months until they can undergo restorative procedures. When I am, given me the word, I will make an impression and fabricate the abutments and a new temporary set of crowns. This temporary will replace the removable one you will be wearing. Below are recent clinical images showing an abutment on a premolar.
Figure 3: Clinical example of a custom implant Figure 4: Same patient with crown
abutment (in this case it is at position #5). cemented.
Abutments are usually yellow-gold in color. This color provides a warmer and more esthetic appearance of the tissue. We also use this type of gold alloy for the optimal tissue compatibility it provides. I screw the abutments onto the implants at the visit following the impression visit. Once screwed to the implant, the temporary crowns or bridges are cemented to the abutments (see Figure 4). Provisional bridges or temporary crowns usually stay in until all of the tissue areas are completely healed (~3-4 weeks). Once we are satisfied with its fit, form, and appearance, I proceed in fabricating the final crowns.
We look forward to continuing to work with you and your surgeon in treating your dental needs.