After the dental implant has fully integrated into the jaw bone, an abutment (a post) needs to be placed so that an artificial crown can be put. In the back areas of the mouth where the aesthetics is not a primary concern, metal abutments made of titanium are used. These titanium abutments are strong and bio-compatible.
However, in the front areas where aesthetics are very important, these titanium abutments can show through faintly with a dark hue. The metal showing through the soft tissue (gum) is noticeable especially in people with thin and pale gums.
Porcelain or Zirconia abutments are used in the front teeth areas to enhance the aesthetics of dental implant restorations. These abutments are white and strong to withstand the biting pressure of the jaws. Even in cases with thin gums, these white zirconia abutments will not darken the gum areas of the dental implant restored crowns. I think it is worth to pay a little extra for these zirconiua abutments when you are having a dental implant restored crown in the upper front area of your mouth.
Abutments like the one shown on the left are placed over dental implants and tightened with screws. Then custom-made porcelain crowns are placed over the abutments. Sometimes the abutments and crowns are made at the same time.
