Ceramic abutments - A new era in achieving optimal esthetics in implant dentistry

In the visible dental region in particular, implant-prosthetic restorations filling single-tooth gaps make exacting demands on function and esthetics. One crucial factor influencing the esthetic outcome is the emergence profi le of the restoration. The introduction of aluminum oxide or zirconium oxid e abutments, which can be milled to meet individual requirements, provides new opportunities for reconstruction adapted to anatomic findings. Tooth-ma tched coloring combined with customized preparation and dimensioning make f or optimal mucogingival esthetics in implant-supported single-tooth restora tions. The aim of the present article is to give a general survey and to il lustrate the use of ceramic abutments with clinical case reports.