Abutment Definition
The term “abutment,” as it is used in dentistry, is borrowed from the field of engineering, and its definition in engineering terms can be helpful in understanding what it means for dentistry. In engineering, an abutment is the substructure that supports a bridge, so, for example, in a traditional highway-overpass bridge, the abutment is the two pillars, one on either end of the bridge, that support the span of the overpassing bridge. In dentistry, abutments are also used with bridges, though dental bridges are not to be confused in any way with highway overpasses. Dental bridges are rows of natural-looking artificial teeth; they may be permanent or removable. When they are permanent, they may be placed onto dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots placed into the jawbone, or they may be placed onto adjacent teeth, depending on the overall health of the teeth, jaw, and mouth.. Eventually, when dental implants are used, the dental implant integrates with the jawbone itself, in a process called “osseointegration.” If you have lost a tooth or several teeth because of injury or gum disease, you may be a good candidate for a dental prosthesis that involves implants; if you have some healthy teeth, you may want to learn more about bridges in general.
A dental abutment connects two or more elements that are used in restorative dentistry. When referring to a dental bridge, the abutment teeth are the two adjacent teeth that support the bridge, or the teeth that support a partial denture. When dental implants are involved in the dental restoration, the abutments are used to attach the bridge or other tooth replacement to the fixture that is implanted in the jawbone. Ideally, the location of the abutment teeth or other abutments is parallel to each other, providing a foundation for the functional restoration of both the bite and the smile.
Dental abutments may involve different additional structures, depending on their overall purpose and location. When used with dental implants, abutments are called “prosthetic implant abutments.” These connect the implant, which is installed into the jawbone, and the prosthesis, which is the replacement tooth or set of teeth. Dental implants are small screws, usually made of titanium, while the abutments are usually made of titanium, stainless steel, gold, or ceramic. Because the abutment may be visible in some circumstances and with some dental restorations, the material used to craft the abutment can depend on the location and purpose of the restoration. Ceramic abutments can enhance the appearance of the overall prosthesis by blending seamlessly with the prosthetic tooth, but ceramic abutments aren’t as strong as the metals that are often used for dental abutments. For this reason, metal abutments are often preferable for areas where significant force may be applied to the surfaces of the teeth, such as with the rear molars, which bear much of the weight of chewing. While the arrangement of the abutments is often parallel to the length of the prosthesis, abutments may also be placed on abutments that are not parallel to the prosthesis, depending on the condition of the patient’s jawbones and gums, and on the desired function of the restoration.