Dental Encyclopedia · Implants
Abutment
Abutment
An abutment is the intermediate post that connects the implant fixture placed in the jawbone with the artificial tooth (prosthesis) mounted on top of it. It is known to support the prosthesis and to shape a natural contour where it passes through the gum.
In plain terms
Put simply, an implant has a three-layer structure — root (fixture), post (abutment) and tooth (prosthesis) — and the abutment is the post in the middle. You can think of it as the connecting part that joins the root and the tooth.
An implant consists of the fixture inside the jawbone, the abutment above it and the prosthesis at the very top. The abutment connects the fixture and the prosthesis while shaping the part that passes through the gum.
Stock abutments are used in some cases, and custom abutments made to match the patient’s gum contour are used in others. Custom abutments are known to help with the gum line and with the natural appearance of the prosthesis.
Materials such as titanium and zirconia are used, and the choice can vary with the placement site and the aesthetic requirements (particularly for front teeth).
Related terms
This entry is for general information. Diagnosis and treatment depend on individual conditions.