What is an abutment?
An abutment is a prosthetic component that connects the implant to the crown. It’s screwed into the implant and provides the foundation for the final restoration. Abutments are most commonly made from titanium, gold, surgical stainless steel, zirconia, ceramic, or polyether.
Why authentic abutments cost more
Authentic (OEM) abutments come directly from the implant manufacturer. Implant companies promote their own brand, often sold at a significantly higher price. The price is higher because you’re paying for the brand, the manufacturer’s proprietary interface, and their bundled warranty.
When generic abutments make sense
Many dentists are taught that only authentic (OEM) abutments offer better fit and precision, microleakage/bacteria resistancy, higher fatigue strength, better load distribution, and the protection of the manufacturer's warranty.
In practice, high-quality generic abutments can perform comparably to OEM parts at a significantly lower cost. Modern generic abutments are CAD/CAM–milled for precision and are produced in the same materials (e.g., titanium, zirconia). They’re designed to be compatible with major systems like Straumann and Nobel.
Generic abutments overview:
- Fit: CAD/CAM generics can achieve highly precise interfaces.
- Strength: Material strength is comparable for the same alloys/zirconia.
- Biologic response: Same titanium/zirconia = similar tissue response.
- Cost: Generics often reduce unit cost without compromising function.
- Warranty: Using a non-OEM component may void the original implant manufacturer’s warranty; however, Dandy provides a warranty on the abutments we supply.
The bottom line
Generic abutments are a cost-effective alternative when you want a precise, strong, and compatible abutment without paying OEM pricing. For most restorative scenarios, they perform on par with authentic parts—as long as you’re using a trusted supplier with a clear warranty (which Dandy provides).