The use of healing abutments for the fabrication of cement-retained, implant-supported provisional prostheses

This article describes the intraoral preparation of healing abutments for use as prefabricated abutments for a cement-retained, implant-supported prosthesis. After the healing abutments are prepared, an impression is made with irreversible hydrocolloid, and the provisional restoration is fabricated indirectly. This technique is an easy and economical alternative for the fabrication of provisional fixed partial dentures or crowns but may be contraindicated for severely misaligned implants.