Implants
Healing abutment
A healing abutment is a short cap screwed onto a dental implant while the gum heals, which shapes the gum so the final tooth fits well.
After an implant is placed, the gum must heal and form a cuff around the post. A healing abutment sits on the implant and pokes through the gum during this time. It keeps the gum from closing over the implant and gives the gum a shape that fits the final tooth. A review in the NIH library says customized healing abutments are used along with implant surgery to preserve or create natural-appearing hard and soft tissue around the implant. Later the dentist removes it and attaches the final abutment and implant crown. Keep the area clean and follow your dentist's care steps. See dental implant and our dental implant page.