Abutment selection in implant-supported fixed prosthodontics

Selecting the appropriate abutment can be both complex and confusing with the ever-increasing number of implant choices and transepithelial abutments available. Many restorative dentists resort to fabricating costly custom abutments to avoid the selection process. Although custom abutments are at times necessary, prefabricated abutments are usually more desirable. This article will describe the various abutments available and how to select the correct abutment for a given clinical situation in an organized, systematic fashion. Criteria discussed include implant position, angulation, soft tissue height, and interocclusal space. The latest modifications and developments in implant abutments are reviewed along with an indirect method of selecting abutments in a laboratory setting.