Implant Height

[jinkazama]

Hi,

I had two previous implants, lower jaw, 43 canine to 46, 1st molar ( to form a 4 tooth bridge ). I just had the abutments done and the molar one is around 5mm above the gumline but the canine one varies from 2 - 3mm in places, as this is the biting tooth shouldn't there be more exposure as the canine will take the brunt of the pressure.

I read " when the height of the implant abutment is less than 5 mm, the diameter of the implant abutment is more critical to improve cement retention or resistance. A customized abutment, larger in diameter than the stock abutment, may be necessary to retain the restoration. In these instances, additional abutment height not only increases the surface area but also results in increased retention and resistance form. The longer axial walls allow for more compressive and tensile force, rather than damaging shear stress"

I have asked the practice but I would like a second opinion,

Thanks

 

[Dr M]

Good day

I am no implant specialist, but there are a lot of factors that play a role. Firstly the height can be influenced by the amount of space available. If the interocclusal space is not sufficient, a shorter abutment might be chosen. It can also be that 2 different types of implants were chosen, based on the amount of bone present as well as the distance to other important anatomical structures.
Is the implant crown, screw or cement retained? A longer bridge span, might also influence the height, since a longer span, could exert forces on a longer abutment, that could result in fracture of the abutment.

In the end, you have to work with what you have.