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UCLA Type Abutments

Last Updated: Feb 04, 2007

Dr. K. asks:

Is there an advantage to using the UCLA-type abutments? It seems to me that, usually, if I only have 2 abutments for a 3-unit bridge, fitting the UCLA abutments crowns to the dental implant fixture platforms should not be a problem. All I have to do is torque the abutment screws through the dental implant crowns into the implant fixtures.

In my current case, I am replacing #11, 12 and 13 with an dental implant fixed partial denture supported by two 4.0x10mm implant fixtures in #11 and 12 sites. #13 will be cantilevered. For this dental implant design, will make any difference if I use the UCLA type abutment crowns or will cement retention be better?

OsseoNews.com Editor’s Note: One other concern here is using two dental implants to support a fixed partial denture replacing three teeth. Wouldn’t some authorities advocate three dental implants for this situation? Another concern is the cantilevered distal pontic. Does this create unfavorable leverage on #12 and 11? What are your thoughts?

2 Comments on UCLA Type Abutments

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Alejandro Berg

2/6/2007

Today there is no advantege in using UCLAs, due to the possibility of having personalized abutments like procera(zirc, titan or alumina), and actually with those there is no casting problems and the hex is allways a perfect one, and by the way tita proceras are a similar price or lower than a ucla + the gold alloy I dont really advise to do a distal cantilever, ever. If you are going to go with gold screw retained, they are easier to remove if you have a problem.

SMSDDSMDT

2/7/2007

Dr. K needs to give more information. Although not my first choice of design, it could function under some circumstances. What else is in the maxilla? What is opposing 11-13? And what is the patient like? Heavy muscular masseter sort? Does the patient parafunction? How were the teeth lost in the first place? Do you develope a progressive anterior disclusion or build to group function? The implant in the 11 spot will take it the hardest with 13 as a cantilever. When 13 is loaded it will fulcrum on 12 and load 11 in tension. That is not the way root forms survive well.

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