BIOMET 3i Gold-colored Encode® Abutments Eliminate Gray Hue Associated With Metallic Abutments

Restorative challenge: A 45-year-old female presented with a missing maxillary right central incisor. She was wearing a removable partial denture but was not pleased with its esthetics, phonetics and function (see Figure 1).

Treatment plan: Since the patient presented with a thin, translucent periimplant biotype, the gray color of a metallic abutment would cast a dark hue through the facial periimplant tissues and have a negative impact on the overall esthetics of the implant restoration.

The dental team chose to use Encode Abutments from BIOMET 3i because they can be coated with a gold-colored titanium nitride to eliminate the dark, gray hue associated with metallic abutments, resulting in a warm gold hue; the abutment would be restored with a PFM crown. Their diagnostic tools included radiographs, diagnostic casts and wax pattern, and a surgical guide.

Restorative team: Carl Drago, DDS, MS, performed...