How do I choose between a shouldered and non-shouldered Bicon abutment?

Shouldered abutments provide a pre-set finish line for cement-retained crowns. Non-shouldered abutments let the clinician place the margin at a custom depth, and are also used with the octagonal base for screw-retained restorations.

When should I use the octagonal base abutment?

Use the Titan Design octagonal base (BC-3A-PA) when the restoration needs to be screw-retained. The octagonal geometry prevents rotation and the threaded chimney accepts a prosthetic screw. Use the standard round post when the restoration will be cemented and 360-degree positional freedom is preferred.

How do I select the right collar height?

Measure tissue depth from the implant platform to the gingival crest. Select a collar height that positions the abutment margin at or just below the gingival margin.

How do I choose the emergence profile diameter?

The emergence profile should approximate the cervical diameter of the tooth being replaced. Use narrower profiles for anteriors and wider profiles for posteriors.

Bicon Abutment Selection Guide

Bicon’s locking-taper system is unique in implant dentistry: no screw, 360° rotational positioning, and a friction-fit connection that creates a bacterial seal. Selecting the right abutment means matching four variables to your clinical situation: post diameter, abutment type, collar height, and emergence profile diameter. This guide walks through each decision.

STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR POST DIAMETER

Post diameter is determined by the implant well size, which is fixed at placement. There is no choice here — you must match the post to the well.

2.0mm Post: For implants with a 2.0mm well — 3.0mm and 3.5mm diameter Bicon implants.
3.0mm Post: For implants with a 3.0mm well — 4.5mm, 5.0mm, and 6.0mm diameter Bicon implants (including SHORT® implants).

Step 2: Choose Your Abutment Type

Bicon abutments come in two fundamental geometries: shouldered and non-shouldered. The choice depends on your restorative approach and margin preference.

Shouldered Abutments

Shouldered abutments have a circumferential ledge (shoulder) at the base of the post where it meets the top of the implant well. This shoulder provides a defined, pre-set finish line for crown fabrication — the lab can see exactly where the margin is without the clinician having to prepare one. Shouldered abutments are the standard choice for most cement-retained single-unit crowns where a clear margin simplifies the restorative workflow.

Non-Shouldered Abutments

Non-shouldered abutments have a smooth, continuous taper from the post into the body — no ledge. The clinician places the finish line wherever they choose by preparing the abutment intraorally or in the lab, similar to preparing a natural tooth for a crown. Non-shouldered abutments are the original Bicon abutment design and are preferred when:

Minimal occlusal clearance requires the abutment to function as the restoration itself (post-and-core without a separate crown).
The clinician wants full control over margin placement depth and contour.
The case calls for a screw-retained restoration using the Titan Design octagonal base (see below).

Octagonal Base vs. Original Round Post (3.0mm only)

For the 3.0mm post, Titan offers the Titan Design non-shouldered abutment (BC-3A-PA) with an octagonal base and an internally threaded chimney. This adds two capabilities the standard round post does not have:

Anti-rotation: The octagonal base indexes the prosthetic framework so it cannot spin on the abutment. The standard round post relies on the cement bond alone for rotational control.
Screw retention: The internally threaded chimney accepts a prosthetic screw from the occlusal surface, allowing the crown or framework to be screw-retained through the abutment. This provides retrievability without cement.

Use the octagonal base when the restoration needs to be screw-retained (retrievability is a priority, or subgingival cement is a concern). Use the original round post when the restoration will be cemented and you want 360° positional freedom during abutment seating.

Step 3: Select Collar Height

Collar height is the vertical dimension of the transmucosal portion of the abutment — the section that passes through the soft tissue from the top of the implant to the gingival margin. The correct collar height depends on your tissue depth at the implant site.

Measure the tissue depth from the implant platform to the crest of the gingiva using a periodontal probe or the Bicon shoulder depth gauge. The collar height should position the abutment shoulder (or the start of the preparable surface on a non-shouldered abutment) at or just below the gingival margin.

Too short: The margin sits subgingivally, making cement cleanup difficult and increasing risk of peri-implant inflammation from retained cement.
Too tall: The margin sits above the gingiva, compromising esthetics and potentially leaving a visible metal line.

Titan’s Bicon compatible shouldered and non-shouldered abutments are available in multiple collar heights for each post diameter. Select the height that places your intended margin at the appropriate tissue level for the restoration.

Step 4: Select Emergence Profile Diameter

The emergence profile diameter is the widest point of the abutment at the gingival margin — the dimension that shapes the soft tissue contour around the restoration. It determines how the crown transitions from the narrow implant platform to the wider tooth profile.

Narrower profiles are used in anterior sites where the interdental papillae are close together, or where the clinician wants to leave room for soft tissue fill between adjacent restorations.
Wider profiles are used in posterior sites (premolars, molars) where the final crown diameter is larger and the tissue needs to be supported over a broader area.

The abutment diameter should support the papillae without encroaching on them. As a general guideline, the emergence profile should approximate the cervical diameter of the tooth being replaced.

Tip: If tissue contour is not yet established (immediate placement or early loading), start with a narrower temporary abutment and transition to the final profile diameter after soft tissue maturation.

Quick Reference

Decision	Determined By	Options
Post Diameter	Implant well size (fixed)	2.0mm (3.0/3.5mm implants) or 3.0mm (4.5/5.0/6.0mm implants)
Abutment Type	Margin preference & retention method	Shouldered (defined margin, cement-retained), Non-shouldered (custom margin), Octagonal base (screw-retained, 3.0mm only)
Collar Height	Tissue depth at implant site	Measure with probe or depth gauge; match collar to place margin at gingival crest
Emergence Profile	Tooth being replaced & site anatomy	Narrower for anteriors, wider for posteriors; approximate cervical diameter of replaced tooth

Browse all Bicon compatible abutments and components in our Bicon Compatible category. Questions about which abutment fits your case? Call us at 1-201-439-0470.

Disclaimer: Bicon® and SHORT® are registered trademarks of Bicon, LLC. Titan Implants, Inc. is an independent manufacturer of compatible prosthetic components. This guide is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. The treating clinician is solely responsible for all treatment decisions. Titan Implants is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Bicon, LLC.