The process of installing dental implants can be very complex, requiring many steps that must be performed by a capable professional. The abutment is really the base of a successful implant installation since it is the base that ties together the implant to the crown itself.
Which is better, custom or stock abutments? The answer to this question depends on several patient factors.
Stock Abutments
Stock abutments come in standardized sizes and are either straight or angled. These abutments are able to be used for both tissue and bone-level implants.
They are the most user-friendly option since they tend to make it easier for the dental professional to take the impressions. Using stock abutments can lessen the time it takes to install implants and therefore reduce costs.
The number one problem with stock abutments is that the tissue surrounding them will always conform to the shape of the abutment. For optimal emergence contours, a custom abutment lends to a much more natural appearance. It is really dependent on the height of the abutment and the depth of the implant to be able to control the final margin placement of the crown, which is much easier to control in a custom abutment.
Basically, the drawback to using stock abutments is that you have a lot less control. Relying solely on how deep the implant is and how tall the abutment is, the final margin placement on the crown cannot be precisely controlled.
Custom Abutments
There are very few drawbacks to opting for custom abutments from a treatment standpoint.
While obviously custom is more costly, they can provide more controlled esthetics. They are either milled or waxed for precision and made with materials that are strong enough to last a lifetime.
Custom abutments help encourage the healthy development of tissues in the teeth neighboring the implant. Healthy tissue surrounding the implant and in the neighboring teeth lends to a better healing process and well as the longevity of the implant.
While stock abutments do come in angular options, being able to create a custom angle allows for more corrections made to the positioning and therefore creating a more stable installation.
The main drawback for this type of abutment is the cost, but the benefits really outweigh the drawbacks.