Dental implant system and method

An abutment for use with an implant having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis passing through the first end, the implant having a bore formed through the first end and extending along the longitudinal axis, the abutment comprising a central portion between a post portion and a head portion, the post portion having a longitudinal axis and being receivable in the bore of the implant, the central portion formed with a smoothly curved outer surface extending from a relatively large diameter progressively down to a smaller diameter where the central portion joins the post portion, the head portion having a longitudinal axis and having a nose extending along the longitudinal axis to a rounded free end, a shelf being formed between the central portion and the nose, the shelf having an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion forming a selected angle with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head portion and the inner part forming a smooth curved surface with the nose, the shelf and nose adapted to support crown material received thereon.