Logo 1st International Symposium on Esthetic, Restorative & Implant Dentistry ARIS PETROS TRIPODAKIS

ARIS PETROS TRIPODAKIS

Are the ceramic trans-mucosal abutments the sole way to obtain soft tissue esthetics?


 
The esthetics in the peri-implant/restorative interface depend on the cervical morphology of the restoration, the healthy and harmonious mucosal contour and the cervical optical behavior of the abutment that provides the overlying soft tissue with internal lighting. Although, upon excellent clinical management, the custom-made all-ceramic trans-mucosal Zirconia abutments provide the restorative site with these characteristics resulting to acceptable esthetic outcomes, in certain aspects their application contains some limitations:
  • The long-lasting mechanical properties of Zirconia custom-made abutments are in question due to the phenomenon of low temperature degradation.
  • The opacity that characterizes their optical behavior as well as the absence of fl uorescence restricts the adequate trans-illumination of the soft tissues.
  • Unfavored implant inclinations restrict their use not providing the restorations with adequate retention.
The presentation after covering the historical development of esthetic abutments since the 90’s of last century, will present the alterative solution found in the application of the ceramo-metal trans-mucosal implant/superstuctre transition.

The presenation’s objectives are as follows:
  • To draw the attention to the optical esthetic parameters of the transmucosal area.
  • To evaluate the limitations in applying prefabricated or custom-made CAD CAM Zirconia abutments.
  • To explore the clinical application of the ceramo-metal abutments or full implant retained reconstuctions and discuss the existing scientific evidence in evaluating their long term clinical performance.
 
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