How Can I Save Money on the Abutment for My Implants?

Healing abutments help keep the implant site patent. Prosthetic abutments support the crown which will be fabricated for your implant. In many cases the standard prosthetic abutment from the manufacturer or aftermarket supplier will serve perfectly to support a crown in the posterior molar region. These are considerably less expensive than a custom abutment which is often reserved for cosmetic areas (anterior teeth) and implant angulation challenges. Discuss this option with your dentist.Good Luck.Theodore M Grossman DMD

The healing abutment you received at the time the implant was placed serves a different purpose than the abutment that supports your final crown. The healing abutment cannot be used to support the final crown. The healing abutment is used during the healing phase of your treatment to contour your gums properly for the restorative (crown) phase of treatment. With the gums in their proper position, the second abutment is used as the means of connecting the crown to the implant. You do need that abutment. An issue I might worry about with delaying the crown placement would be the teeth above the implants over-erupting into the space where the lower crowns should be. This may or may not be of concern based on your individual case, but I would ask your dentist about it. Lastly, you can consider placing the abutments now with a temporary crowns now, and proceeding with the final crowns when you have additional funds. It may cost you a little more in the end, but it would give you the use of the teeth now and prevent over-eruption of the top teeth. You have made a good choice for yourself in proceeding with dental implants. Good luck with the rest of your treatment. Jeffrey R. Brook, DMD