We are excited to introduce a new technology that has recently become available. They told me that this was in the pipeline about a year ago, and I have been looking forward to it ever since. I am excited to announce we have started using the Anatomic Healing Abutments from Straumann. This month’s Perio Probe focuses on what they are, how to use them, and what the benefits are. If you’d like more information, please reach out to us!
1. What makes these healing abutments “anatomic”?
Straumann’s Anatomic Healing Abutment (AHA) is milled with a pre‑defined emergence profile that mimics the contour of the final tooth (central incisor, premolar, molar, etc.). It arrives sterile, in multiple diameters (3.8 – 6.5 mm) and two gingival heights (1.5 mm & 2.5 mm) so we can match site anatomy without chair‑side grinding. Every AHA also carries an integrated scan body and a readable dot code on the occlusal surface that tells the scanner – and your lab – exactly which diameter/height we used.
2. Soft‑tissue sculpting that stays put.
- One‑time placement, one‑time seal. Because the AHA doubles as the scan body, we never remove it during healing, sparing the peri‑implant seal from the micro‑trauma of repeated “unscrew‑retighten” cycles.
- Natural emergence profile. The contour maintains a gingival opening wide enough for the final crown, so there is far less need for tissue conditioning with temporary restorations. Patients leave surgery with tissue already shaped for your impression.
3. Built‑in digital workflow—no extra parts to chase.
- Fewer components: Eliminates separate impression posts and standalone scan bodies.
- Plug‑and‑scan: Clean the AHA, dry, and capture with iTero, TRIOS, Medit, etc. – no gingival retraction scan required because the library already contains the emergence contour.
- Library compatibility: CARES Visual, 3Shape, and exocad libraries recognize the dot code and auto‑index the scan.
4. How Team Perio sets you up for success.
Surgical day
- Orient implant driver bucco‑lingually; insert the selected AHA and hand‑tighten.
- Buccal flat of the scan body faces buccal for easy alignment in your scan.
Healing phase
- Patients brush around the PEEK collar; no metal taste, minimal plaque.
- We review tissue and integration of the implant at 8 weeks – no component changes needed.
Restorative visit in your office
- Remove the cover composite, wipe the top, and scan.
- Send the STL to your lab; they design from the same emergence profile we created surgically.
- Seat the crown – usually zero tissue blanching and little to no occlusal or proximal adjustment.
5. Benefits for every member of the referral team.
6. Making the switch (it’s easy).
- Add the Straumann AHA library to your scanner/CAD software.
- We will be stocking the most common shapes (S, M, XL) in 1.5 mm GH for mandible and 2.5 mm for thick biotypes.
- Tell your lab you’re “Team Perio + AHA workflow” – they’ll take it from there.
- There could be times we cannot place an AHA. But if you would like to try one, please put it on your referral slip!
7. The bottom line.
I’m excited to start using these and see the improved result we’ll get for tissue formation around the implants. I’m hoping to see less lollipop shaped crowns, better emergence profiles, and healthier tissues long term because of better fit of custom abutments.
If you want more information on the anatomic healing abutment, please reach out to us and we’d be happy to do a lunch and learn, set-up a zoom meeting, or just go over it with you over the phone.