Frequently asked question...
?Why can?t there be some standardization in abutments??
By Dr. Brian  O?Neill

One common concern and frequently asked question about dental implants is, ?why can?t there be some standardization in abutments, regarding fees, as well as styles.?  Abutment selection usually falls into three different categories, stock abutments, UCLA custom abutments (gold or Zirconia) or custom milled abutments.

A stock abutment is ordered directly from the implant supplier. The majority of the time the lab will select the abutment that they feel will need the least adjustments and provide the most stability. Once the abutment is received, there is some prepping done, which can be labor intense for the lab. Once the abutment is opened, you bought it. Often time metal is removed, making the abutment less strong. If there are any back orders with the manufactures this will result in a delay of prosthesis delivery in your office, One of the advantages of the Straumann system is the fact that with the mass majority of our cases. we are able to supply you with the appropriate stock abutment which requires very little, if any prepping from the laboratory.

A UCLA custom abutment must be prepped in the laboratory. The technician will do a wax-up. If a gold abutment is requested it must be sprued and cast. If a Zirconia abutment is requested, it will be scanned and sent to Procera. Once the abutment leaves the laboratory, it will add to the return time to your office. It is often very difficult for the lab to quote a fee early on, because of the variations of prep time needed.

Custom milled abutments have become increasing popular with laboratory technicians and restorative doctors. Because each abutment is milled to specific requirements the abutment is a custom fit to the implant. Duplicates can be made because current milling technology retains the specifics in the software program. More titanium in the abutments makes it a much stronger abutment. Milling each abutment to specific case requirements gives you total control of tissue contours. The laboratory technician can add retentive grooves, taper die abutment to your specifications, number multi unit cases, and mark the buccal of abutments for alignment. Since the computer stores the specifications of the abutment, a provisional abutment can often times be fabricated for delivery the day of implant placement. The laboratory has the ability to quote a fee that will not change if multiple abutments are fabricated. A gold hue can be added to the abutment, alleviating the need for Procera abutments.

In summary, we suggest you talk to your laboratory technician and discuss the pros and cons of each type of abutment.

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