Differentiate between stock and custom abutments and describe their respective indications and limitations.
Identify key clinical and biological factors influencing abutment selection, including soft tissue anatomy, implant positioning, and prosthetic requirements.
Evaluate material choices for abutments (e.g., titanium vs. zirconia) and understand their impact on strength, biocompatibility, and aesthetics.
Incorporate digital technologies in abutment design and selection, including CAD/CAM and intraoral scanning workflows.
The success of dental implant therapy relies heavily on the appropriate selection of abutments—the critical interface between the implant fixture and the prosthetic restoration. This lecture will explore key principles, clinical considerations, and advancements in abutment selection for implant-supported restorations. Topics will include comparisons between stock and custom abutments; material options such as titanium, zirconia, and hybrid types; the role of digital workflows; and patient-specific factors that influence clinical decisions. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to tailor abutment selection to a wide range of clinical scenarios.
