Dental Implant Abutments: Materials, Design and Clinical Applications

Dental implant abutments are important components that connect the implant fixture to the final prosthetic restoration and influence the functional stability and aesthetic outcome of implant-supported prostheses. This book provides an overview of implant abutments, including their history, design, classification, materials, and clinical applications in implant prosthodontics. The implant-abutment interface and different types of implant connections are explained to understand their role in stability and retention. Various materials used for abutments such as titanium, zirconia, stainless steel, aluminium, and PEEK are discussed along with their properties and clinical indications. Different types of abutments based on usage, including healing abutments, stock abutments, custom abutments, and CAD-CAM abutments, are also described. The book further explains attachment systems for implant-supported overdentures and the mechanisms of prosthesis retention through screw-retained and cement-retained restorations. Criteria for proper abutment selection, possible complications, and recent advancements in implant dentistry are also highlighted.