Zirconia abutments for single-tooth implants--rationale and clinical guidelines.

Clinical success of an endosseous implant to replace a single tooth is not only defined by its survival. Esthetic parameters have become integral aspects in defining success and failure. All-ceramic abutments have started to play a major role in achieving an esthetically successful result. The material itself, however, is not the exclusive determinant for esthetic success. It is the appropriate design and proper handling of the material and the abutment that enables the clinician to achieve esthetic outcomes that were not possible with traditional metal alloys. This article explores the rationale for using zirconia for prosthetic implant components, explains specific material properties, and discusses strategies and guidelines for the design and successful clinical implementation of CAD/CAM-fabricated zirconia implant abutments.