Designed around the case, not a default part number. Anterior emergence, divergent angulation, screw-access correction, and the soft tissue contour the patient will live with for the next two decades.
A custom abutment is fabricated to the case. The emergence profile, the screw-channel angle, the margin position, the retention surface: all designed for this implant, this site, this patient.
A stock abutment is fabricated to the implant. Standard emergence, standard angle, standard margin. It works for cases that match those standards. It compromises the cases that don’t.
Stock abutments work when implant position is ideal and the soft tissue cooperates. Custom abutments are designed around everything the stock part can't see.
Designed around the case, not a default part number. Anterior emergence, soft tissue contour, divergent angulation, screw-access correction, all decisions live in the design.
Off-the-shelf abutment, faster turnaround, fewer design variables. Works when the implant position is ideal and the case doesn't need emergence or angulation work.
Pick the scenario closest to your case. We'll show the recommendation and the reasoning. Anything outside these reads as a planning call, not a guess.
Esthetics wins here. Emax’s translucency and thin-prep tolerance make the shade match disappear on a single anterior unit, exactly what an esthetic-critical case calls for. If custom shading isn’t needed, monolithic zirconia is also a great option, simpler and faster, while still esthetic enough for most cases.
Esthetics wins. If thin prep is possible, Emax usually edges out. Otherwise layered zirconia gets there with custom characterization.
Span and connector dimensions covered in zirconia bridges. We’ll plan the case if span limits are borderline.
Stain-and-glaze characterization on monolithic gets most anterior cases into the acceptable-match range without the layered overhead.
Every custom abutment we make starts with a conversation. The dentist sends the scan or model. The tech assigned to the case pulls up the data, looks at the implant position, the soft tissue, the adjacent teeth, the planned restoration.
Then the tech calls the dentist. Sometimes that’s a 5-minute call. Sometimes it’s a 30-minute conversation about emergence, screw access, and shade. Sometimes it’s a screen share where we work the case together.
Whatever the case calls for, we don’t design before that conversation. The conversation is the design.
A digital scan or impression with the scan body or transfer in place. The implant system and platform. A soft tissue photo. A stump shade if the abutment will be visible at the margin.
If you’re missing any of those, call us and we’ll talk through the case. We’d rather start the planning call short of one piece of information than fabricate to a guess.
Reference values · confirm against current CDT. Insurance language varies by carrier.
Primary code for IDA custom abutments.
Cement-retained crown over custom abutment.
Cross-reference; placement code, not lab code.
Screw-retained crown directly on implant or custom abutment.
We design custom abutments and implant restorations for the major systems used in independent practice. Don't see your system below? Call us, we've likely worked it before.
All major Nobel platforms accepted, including Active, Replace, Conical Connection, and NobelParallel.
BLT, BLX, Tissue Level, and SLActive platforms. Original abutment libraries used at the bench.
EV and OsseoSpeed lines, including the full EV family. Dentsply Sirona libraries on file.
TSV, Trabecular Metal, Eztetic, and 3i platforms. Combined Zimmer and Biomet legacy lines supported.
Tapered Internal, Tapered Pro, and Laser-Lok lines. Original abutment connections preserved.
Don't see your system? Ask us, we've likely worked it before.
"IDA has become my go to dental lab for all of my implant crowns and bridges as well as traditional bridge cases. Their restorations consistently demonstrate an outstanding fit, often seating with minimal to no adjustments. The esthetics also meet the highest demands. They are easy to work with and always helpful when questions arise. I confidently recommend them to colleagues seeking reliable, highly esthetic results."
Dr. Michael O'Brien
"We've had nothing but positive experiences with this lab. Their team is always willing to help, whether we have questions about a case, need assistance with a remake, or just want a second opinion on treatment planning."
Dr. Lauran Spencer, DDS
"IDA Tulsa's work on fixed restorations, implant and tooth borne, is very high quality and consistent. Everyone I've worked with from IDA has been very available, open to communication, and helpful in delivering quality restorations for patients. Chris has been a great partner to work with in the dental business."
Dr. Heath Coleman Secure Dentures and Implants
Cement and screw-retained crowns, supported on custom abutments. Anterior and posterior cases.
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Custom-abutment-supported screw-retained crowns and multi-unit cases. Retrievability without esthetic compromise.
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For the cases where the difference between great and remake lives in the details. Plan it with a specialist before the case hits the bench.
Learn moreSchedule a 15-minute case consultation with an IDA technician. We'll talk through your scan, your patient, and what you need from us.
The questions that come up most often before we fabricate. Anything outside these is a planning call.
Contact UsSend us the scan and we’ll tell you. The 15-minute call is free. The remake on the wrong call is not.
For anterior cases where the abutment color affects the visible margin, zirconia or hybrid. For posterior cases, titanium is usually fine. The decision lives in the soft tissue biotype as much as the implant position.
D6057 (custom abutment, includes design and fabrication).
A digital scan or impression with the scan body or transfer in place, the implant system and platform, a soft tissue photo, and a stump shade if the abutment will be visible at the margin. If you’re missing any of those, call us and we’ll talk through the case.
Custom abutment alone runs faster than custom abutment + crown. Complex cases get a planning call before the bench starts.