(A) The innovative implant-abutment connection encourages the development of a thick layer of soft tissue around the small diameter of the implant abutment and the flat top of the implant fixture. The formation of the horizontal biological width is graphically illustrated. (B) The cone shape of the implant-abutment connection transfers horizontal forces over a wide area of the implant. The connecting abutment screw is loaded in a vertical direction only. The flat shoulder of the implant fixture supports the thick mucosal layer. (C) The 1-piece standard abutment of the Ankylos implant system. (D) The 2-piece balance abutment with a center tightening screw (zirconium oxide shown; titanium is also available). Abutment can be rotated to the desired position and fixed to that position by tightening the central screw (Note: screw rotates within a sleeve inside of the abutment and cannot be dislodged from the abutment). (E) The tapered-implant abutment connection prevents the trapping of soft tissue between the abutment and the implant, which can occur in many 2-piece flat hex implant-abutment connections (A = abutment, I = implant, H = hexagon, S = soft tissue). (F) Actual clinical case showing the interdental papillae that has formed