Healing Abutment
A temporary, removable component placed on a dental implant immediately or shortly after surgery to shape and condition the surrounding soft tissue during healing.
Full Definition
A healing abutment (also called a gingival former) is screwed into the implant fixture at stage-one or stage-two surgery to maintain the trans-gingival channel and guide the soft tissue into the desired contour prior to placement of the final prosthetic abutment. Editors reviewing clinical case reports must ensure the term is not used interchangeably with 'transmucosal collar' or 'provisional abutment,' as each describes a distinct component or phase. The healing abutment is typically made of titanium or PEEK and is discarded once the definitive restoration is fabricated. Its diameter and height specifications are clinically significant and should be retained precisely in edited documents. Misnaming it as the 'final abutment' constitutes a factual error in surgical records.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from 'cover screw,' which is fully submerged and does not shape gingival tissue.
In Context
- "A 4 mm healing abutment was placed at the time of implant insertion to allow for single-stage soft-tissue management." — Operative note
- "Editors should confirm that 'healing abutment' is not replaced with the generic 'cap' in translated clinical protocols." — Translation review guideline