The Integrated Abutment Crownt, a screwless and cementless restoration for single-tooth implants: a report on a new technique.

A technique is presented for the restoration of single-tooth, implant-supported crowns where the abutment and the crown material are chemomechanically bonded; therefore, there is no need for cement, and the implant and implant-abutment are connected with a screwless locking-taper. The clinical and laboratory procedures involved in the fabrication and insertion of the restoration are described in detail. This restoration offers the restorative dentist some advantages: excellent marginal adaptation with a cementless interface, a bacterially sealed implant-abutment connection, a crown material with a similar wear rate and hardness values of human enamel, a simple laboratory technique, and a reduced number of prosthetic components. Due to the light-cured nature of the crown material, chairside modifications can be accomplished. The major drawbacks are: studies are necessary to assess the long-term performance of the Integrated Abutment Crown (IAC)'s in both anterior and posterior areas of the mouth. Resin materials have higher roughness values, accumulate plaque at a higher rate, and are more likely to stain than tooth structure and all-ceramic restorations. Copyright 2007 by The American College of Prosthodontists.