Abutment (dentistry)

In dentistry, an abutment is a connecting element. This is used in the context of a fixed bridge (the 'abutment teeth' referring to the teeth supporting the bridge), partial removable dentures (the 'abutment teeth' referring to the teeth supporting the partial) and in implants (used to attach a crown, bridge, or removable denture to the dental implant fixture). The implant fixture is the screw-like component that is osseointegrated. In dentistry, an abutment is a connecting element. This is used in the context of a fixed bridge (the 'abutment teeth' referring to the teeth supporting the bridge), partial removable dentures (the 'abutment teeth' referring to the teeth supporting the partial) and in implants (used to attach a crown, bridge, or removable denture to the dental implant fixture). The implant fixture is the screw-like component that is osseointegrated. Dental bridge abutments are made such that the path of insertion of the teeth involved is nearly parallel with each other. Partial denture abutments are unique in that they may incorporate elements such as rest seats, guide planes, and recontouring. These are usually called prosthetic implant abutments. These abutments can be made from a variety of materials, such as titanium, surgical stainless steel and gold. The adjacent images show how a ceramic abutment can enhance a ceramic crown by giving it a more lifelike appearance. Ceramic abutments have to be used with care, however, since their compressive strength is nowhere near that of titanium, gold or other noble metals. Most clinicians feel more comfortable using a metal prosthetic abutment in the posterior molar areas, due to the increased masticatory forces present in these areas.