A screw-retained implant crown attaches directly to the implant with an access channel and screw, with no cement at the margin. It’s typically preferred when retrievability matters, when interocclusal space is limited, or when you want to eliminate the risk of residual subgingival cement — provided the implant angulation allows the access hole to exit in a non-esthetic, restorable location.
Restoring an implant case? BioDent fabricates screw-retained and screwmentable implant crowns for practices nationwide. Send a case or open a lab account.
Screw-retained vs. cement-retained: quick comparison
| Screw-retained | Cement-retained | |
|---|---|---|
| Retrievability | Easy — unscrew and remove | Difficult, often destructive |
| Residual cement risk | None | Real risk of peri-implant inflammation |
| Min. interocclusal space | Lower requirement | Needs room for abutment + cement gap |
| Esthetics / access hole | Limited by implant angulation | More flexible, no visible channel |
| Passive fit demand | High (lab precision critical) | More forgiving |
When to choose screw-retained
- You want retrievability for hygiene, repair, or staged treatment.
- Limited interocclusal space rules out a cemented abutment-and-crown stack.
- You want to eliminate residual-cement risk and the peri-implantitis it can drive.
- Implant angulation allows the access channel to exit through the occlusal/lingual surface.
When cement-retained or a custom abutment may be better
- The access channel would exit through an esthetic facial surface.
- You need to correct angulation with a custom abutment for an ideal emergence profile.
- Consider a screwmentable design to get retrievability with a cement-free margin.
How BioDent fabricates a screw-retained crown
- Digital plan from your scan. We verify implant position, angulation, and access-channel exit before design.
- Passive-fit framework. Precision milling for accurate seating with minimal stress on the implant.
- Material selection. Full-contour zirconia or layered esthetics based on position and load.
- Verified delivery protocol. Torque and seating guidance so the case seats predictably chairside.
Avoiding the most common failures
Excess subgingival cement is one of the most preventable causes of peri-implant inflammation — screw retention removes that risk entirely. For cases that must be cemented, we provide custom abutments designed to keep margins shallow and cleanable. See our guide on cement removal around implant crowns.
Send us your next implant case and get a restoration designed to seat the first time. Send a case · Open a lab account.
Screw-retained implant crowns — FAQ
Is a screw-retained crown better than cement-retained?
Neither is universally better. Screw-retained wins on retrievability and eliminating cement risk; cement-retained offers more esthetic flexibility when access angulation is unfavorable. Implant position usually decides.
What’s the minimum space needed for a screw-retained crown?
Screw-retained restorations generally need less interocclusal space than a cemented abutment-and-crown stack, which is why they’re chosen in tight cases.
Can a screw-retained crown be used in the esthetic zone?
Only if the access channel exits in a non-visible location. When angulation forces a facial exit, a custom abutment or screwmentable design is usually better.
What is a screwmentable crown?
A hybrid: the crown is cemented to an abutment extraorally in the lab, then the unit is screw-retained — combining retrievability with a clean, cement-free tissue margin.
Does BioDent make screw-retained implant crowns?
Yes — for practices nationwide, compatible with all major implant systems. Open a lab account to send your case.
