Abutment Selection

Abutment selection is influenced by several factors, including:

• The depth of the implant shoulder relative to the labial mucosal margin.
• The buccolingual position of the implant shoulder in relation to the future emergence profile of the prosthetic restoration.
• The alignment of the implant’s long axis (Jung et al., 2008).

For cases where the peri-implant labial mucosa is thin, especially in the aesthetic zone, zirconia abutments may be preferred to prevent dark metal visibility through the tissue (Sailer et al., 2007).

In aesthetic areas, it is often advisable to avoid placing two single implants directly adjacent to each other. This is because bone resorption, known as saucerization, can occur around adjacent implants as the biological width is established. Using a single implant with a cantilevered pontic may provide better aesthetic results (Grunder et al., 2005).

Conditioning the peri-implant soft tissue with temporary restorations can help achieve the desired gingival contour (Rompen et al., 2007).

To prevent the appearance of black triangles, it is recommended to design slightly longer contact points, position contact lines slightly towards the palate, and use mini wings with a more saturated shade (Tarnow et al., 1992).