A big debate in implant dentistry is whether to utilize a screw-retained restoration or a cement-retained restoration. To understand the options available in modern implant dentistry, it’s helpful to know the early history of dental implant restorations.

When implants were first introduced, many of today’s common features, such as internal connections and anti-rotational designs, were not present. Since implant systems lacked anti-rotational features, it was necessary to splint an implant restoration to a natural tooth. As implant technology advanced, anti-rotational designs were introduced to help with the fabrication of free-standing implant crowns1.

In the late 1980s, screw-retained implant restorations were developed to address concerns with retrieving implant crowns if they needed to be repaired or replaced. With advancements in implant restoration techniques, such as custom abutments, cement-retained implants became more popular2. By the early 2000s, most implant restorations were cement-retained.

Cement-retained implant restorations

Cement-retained implant restorations consist of an abutment upon which the implant crown is cemented. Abutments can be prefabricated “stock” or custom.

One of the advantages of a custom abutment is that the margins can be modified to create a supragingival interface between the implant crown and the abutment. This helps make it easier to remove excess cement. Cement-retained implant crowns are often considered more esthetic than screw-retained implant crowns since the cement-retained implant crown does not have an access hole.

Example of cement-retained implant crowns showing no access hole through the implant crown.

However, cement-retained implant crowns can present challenges if cement is not effectively removed. This is especially true for prefabricated abutments, where the margins can be millimeters subgingival. Multiple studies have demonstrated that patients with cement-retained implant crowns with excess cement are at a higher risk of developing peri-implantitis.

Dr. Chandur Wadhwani, a Seattle-area prosthodontist, demonstrated how excess implant cement can lead to inflammation around implants, which in turn contributes to bone loss and peri-implantitis3. As a result, it is advised to design implant crown margins to aid in removing excess cement and take a post-cementation radiograph to determine if excess cement remains after delivering a cement-retained implant crown.

Dr. Georgios Kotsakis, a University of Texas Health Science Center School of Dentistry faculty member, suggests designing implant crown margins that do not extend more than 1 mm subgingivally, and to consider using a zinc oxide eugenol or zinc phosphate cement rather than a resin-based cement. Resin-based cements may experience a greater degree of biofilm accumulation than zinc oxide eugenol or zinc phosphate cements, leading to a great risk of inflammation around the implant restoration2.

In addition, an impression of the intaglio surface of the crown can be used to minimize the amount of excess cement in an implant crown. Prior to cementing the restoration, the intaglio surface of the implant crown is lined with Teflon tape. Putty, impression or bite registration material is injected into the intaglio surface and allowed to set. This creates a die of the implant crown. When it is time to cement the restoration, the Teflon tape is removed, a thin layer of cement is placed in the intaglio surface of the crown, and the crown is seated back on the die. Excess cement will be extruded extraorally, minimizing the chance of leaving excess cement around the implant restoration4.

Comparison of putty material placed into implant crown and a custom die created to express excess cement extraorally prior to cementation.

Screw-retained implant restorations

A screw-retained implant restoration can be fabricated instead of utilizing a cement-retained implant restoration. Screw-retained implant restorations consist of a one-piece structure with the implant connection and implant restoration as a single unit.

With current research demonstrating the risks of peri-implantitis associated with cement-retained implant restorations, many dentists are utilizing screw-retained implant crowns for single unit implant restorations.

Example of a screw-retained implant crown showing screw access hole on the occlusal.

Two main advantages of screw-retained implant crowns are that they minimize the risk of peri-implantitis when compared to cement-retained implant crowns and are also easier to retrieve. The ability to retrieve the restoration is useful if the implant crown needs to be repaired or replaced due to fractured porcelain or an open contact developing between the implant crown and the natural tooth5.

However, drawbacks of a screw-retained design are that these restorations can be difficult to seat on the implant platform and the presence of a screw access hole can lead to an unesthetic result if not managed properly.

Spear Resources

Cemented vs. Screw-Retained Implants E-book

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The ‘screwmentable’ implant crown

The “screwmentable” implant crown is another possible treatment option that combines the advantages of both cement-retained and screw-retained implant restorations. In the screwmenable implant crown, the abutment and implant crown are cemented extraorally. This can be done by the lab prior to the appointment or chairside.

In the chairside procedure, the abutment is placed on the implant and the implant crown is adjusted as if it is a cement-retained restoration. After the contacts and occlusion are adjusted, the abutment is removed, the implant crown is cemented to the abutment extraorally and excess cement is removed.

Example of a screwmentable implant crown prior to cementation.
Example of an abutment seated intraorally. The crown is adjusted as if it were a cement-retained restoration.
Example of the abutment removed, Teflon tape placed in access.
Example of cement placed in implant crown extraorally.
Example of abutment and crown cemented extraorally.
Example of extraoral removal of excess cement.
Example of a screwmentable implant restoration final product
Example of a screwmentable implant crown seated intraorally.
Example of access covered and delivery of screwmentable implant crown.

The abutment-crown complex now acts like a screw-retained restoration that is ready to be delivered.

In conclusion, there are various ways to restore single unit implants. Depending on the clinical situation, screw-retained, cement-retained or screwmentable options can be predictably utilized to restore implants with restorations that have ideal form and function.

Andy Janiga, D.M.D., is a contributor to Spear Digest.

References

1. Spear, F. “Connecting teeth to implants: The truth about a debated technique.” JADA. 2009; 140 (5): 587-593.

2. Kotsakis, G.A., et al. “Investigation of the association between cement retention and prevalent peri-implant diseases- A cross-sectional study.” J Periodontol 2016; 87 212-220.

3. Wadhwani, C., et al. “Radiographic detection and characteristic patterns of residual excess cement associated with cement-retained implant restorations- A clinical report.” J Prosthet Dent 2012; 107: 151-157.

4. Wadhwani C and Pineyro A. “Technique for controlling the cement for an implant crown” J Prosthet Dent. 2009; 102: 57-58.

5. Greenstein, G., et al. “Open contacts adjacent to dental implant restorations- Etiology, incidence, consequences, and correction.” JADA 2016- 147 (1)- 28-34


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Comments

Commenter's Profile Image Stephen U.
January 25th, 2020
Great article Andy! I was thinking as at times, had challenges adapting the teflon to the intaglio surface of the crown, I may try placing it on the die portion directly.
Commenter's Profile Image Rory Y.
June 15th, 2022
Am I missing something or is a "screwmentable" the same as a screw-retained, except that we cement the tooth to the abutment chairside instead of the lab doing it?
Commenter's Profile Image Andy J.
June 15th, 2022
Hi Rory, and thanks for reading the article! One of the advantages of a "screwmentable" restoration is that it makes it much easier to adjust and confirm the contacts of the implant restoration before the crown is cemented to the abutment. Once the contacts have been confirmed, the crown is cemented extraorally to the abutment in a chairside procedure. This eliminates the risk of leaving excess cement behind, which can occur with cement-retained implant restorations. Once the crown and abutment are cemented, the restoration now acts like a screw-retained implant crown. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. Andy