Fabrication of a custom abutment for a wide-diameter implant in a situation with limited interocclusal space

This article illustrates a technique to solve the esthetic and functional challenges of restoring implants in situations with limited interocclusal clearance. As manufactured, some wide implants lack a gold cylinder abutment that attaches directly to the implant. Instead, an intermediate abutment is provided with the system. However, with limited interocclusal space, it is not feasible to restore an intermediate abutment due to the increased restorative space required. This article describes a technique to fabricate a customized abutment that directly connects to a wide-diameter implant, resulting in a functional and esthetic restoration. (J Prosthet Dent 2008;100:474-477).