Tooth-o-pedia:  Glossary of Dental Definitions

Definition: Abutment

An abutment is an anchor. An abutment is a natural tooth or implant that holds a fixed bridge, removable partial denture, or full denture in place. The same term; abutment is used by engineers when they are designing bridges across a river. The abutment, in dentistry and engineering, is the stabilizer that secures the bridge to the foundation so that the span of the bridge is supported to carry the load.

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