implant-abutment connection
The mechanical interface where the abutment joins the implant body, characterised by its geometry (e.g., internal hex, external hex, morse taper) and its effect on prosthetic stability and marginal bone maintenance.
Full Definition
The implant-abutment connection (IAC) is the junction between the implant fixture and the prosthetic abutment. Its design — whether external hexagon, internal hexagon, conical (Morse taper), or a combination — influences rotational resistance, micromovement, microleakage, and crestal bone preservation. Editors should hyphenate 'implant-abutment' as a compound modifier throughout a document. When specific connection geometry is described (e.g., 'internal conical connection'), that descriptor should follow the IAC term. The abbreviation IAC is less common than the full phrase in the literature; confirm whether the journal style permits it before introducing it.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate 'implant-abutment' when used attributively. Specify connection geometry (external hex, internal hex, morse taper/conical) alongside this term in technical descriptions for clinical precision.
In Context
- "The internal conical implant-abutment connection demonstrated significantly less micromovement under lateral loading compared to external hexagon designs." — Biomechanical research paper
- "Editors should verify that 'implant-abutment connection' is hyphenated consistently, as the un-hyphenated form appeared in three instances in this draft." — Copyediting report