What Is a Healing Abutment for Dental Implant?

If you need to replace missing teeth, your oral surgeon may recommend a dental implant. The procedure involves the placement of the implant and the attachment of the abutment and crown. Healing abutments can help in the healing process. It is important to learn more about the procedure and the benefits of the healing abutment.

Healing abutment for dental implant

A healing abutment, also known as a healing cap or gingival former, can help promote soft and hard tissue healing around an implant. The healing cap also protects the main part of the implant from plaque and debris accumulations. It is often fitted on top of the implant. It is slightly wider than the implant to help shape the gumline. An oral surgeon can fit the healing abutment in either the one-stage or two-stage procedure.

Fitting of the abutment

In the one-stage procedure, the oral surgeon will place the implant and the healing cap at the same time. The implant is first inserted into the bone, then the healing cap is attached to it. The healing abutment will protrude through the surface of the gum and stay in place while the dental implant heals. Once the implant and jawbone fully integrate, the healing cap will be removed to gain access to the implant. The abutment will then replace the healing cap. Finally, the crown will be placed over the abutment.

In the two-stage procedure, after the oral surgeon inserts the implant into the bone, it is covered with gum tissue and left to heal. After healing, the implant fuses with the bone in the process of osseointegration for several months. The second phase involves making another incision to expose the implant before the healing cap is screwed on it. The healing abutment will help the surrounding gum to heal. After some weeks, the healing cap will be removed before the attachment of the abutment and eventually the crown will be put in place.

Some people opt to use the healing abutment because it makes the process shorter. In the one-stage procedure, once the oral surgeon places the healing cap, there is no need for the second surgery to connect the abutment. The healing abutment is removed after the gums heal and then the connecting abutment is fitted before the crown is attached. However, people are usually advised to see an oral surgeon to get information and guidance on the ideal method.

Healing abutments should not be reused

Patients should not reuse healing caps. One of the main reasons is because the recreation of the surface of a new abutment is not feasible even with sterilization. Sterilization can also change the initial composition of the titanium surface, which makes the product less effective. Sometimes cleaning may damage the healing cap implant screws. This can make it hard to fix it tightly in an implant.

Learn more about the procedure

A healing abutment can be beneficial in the dental implant procedure. They can protect soft and hard tissues and reduce the number of procedures required. However, it is advisable not to reuse them. If you want to learn more about dental implant surgery and the healing abutment, contact your oral surgeon.

Request an appointment here: https://dentalstudiocolleyville.com or call Dental Studio Colleyville at (817) 885-5188 for an appointment in our Colleyville office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

FAQs About The Process For Dental Implants

Dental implants restore missing teeth in a way that feels natural and does not interfere with eating or speaking, but the thought of dental implant surgery may at first seem a bit daunting. Knowing what to expect can ease your mind and help you prepare to go through the surgery with minimal stress. Here are…

Questions To Ask At Your Dental Implants Consultation

Deciding to get dental implants can be nerve-racking and exciting at the same time. Knowing as much as you can about the procedure can help clear up any apprehension. These restorations are durable and lasting. Understanding what to do while talking and chewing will be helpful. If you want to learn some pointers about speaking…

Who Is A Candidate For Dental Implants?

Anyone who has one or more missing teeth should consider teeth replacement. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to deal with teeth loss. One of the more common and effective methods is dental implant treatment, which involves placing a titanium post into the jawbone to serve as the root for the abutment and artificial tooth. The…

4 Situations To Consider Getting Dental Implants

Getting dental implants allows people who are missing teeth to once again enjoy a full smile. This treatment may not be right for all patients, so it is helpful to understand the most common cases where these artificial teeth make the most sense. You can then speak to your dentist about going through this process…

Recent Posts

A Comparison Of Invisalign® Vs  Braces

A Comparison Of Invisalign® Vs. Braces

Considering Invisalign®? Modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of many types of teeth straightening options. Clear aligners are offered by a number of brands, with Invisalign® being the most popular. However, individuals who are considering teeth straightening may also consider braces, which are known to be the standard method for correcting crooked teeth, crowded…

Gum Care When You Have Dentures

Gum Care When You Have Dentures

Dentures give many people a reason to smile again. Instead of living with damaged, unsightly teeth, they now look and feel better than ever.While it is true that issues with the teeth go away, wearing dentures does not prevent other problems from developing. If you wear dentures, keeping them clean is essential to maintaining healthy…