Screw-Retained Vs. Cement: Which Abutment Is Right For Your Dental Implants?

In the process of deciding on the details of your dental implants, one of the considerations that your dental surgeon will need to make is whether to opt for a screw-retained or cement abutment. Both have their pros and cons and your surgeon will rely on your input to make the right decision for your procedure. To help you understand the differences between screw-retained and cement, here is what you need to know:

Screw-Retained Abutment

The abutment is the connector for your dental implants. A screw-retained abutment functions just as you would imagine. The surgeon would essentially screw the implant onto the abutment. There are several reasons this would be beneficial to you.

One of the main reasons is that because the abutment is screwed on, it can be easier to remove it or tighten it, if necessary. This is particularly important because if your implant is damaged at some point, the surgeon does not have to completely remove the abutment to repair it.

A screw-retained abutment is also kinder to the tissue surrounding the implants. With a cement abutment, there is the risk of the cement oozing onto the tissue and creating problems. By contrast, the screw-retained does not do this, which prevents problems, such as peri-implantitis.

There are a couple of drawbacks to the screw-retained abutment. The abutment is not as aesthetically pleasing as the cement. The abutment also has limitations that can sometimes prevent it from being used in angular applications.

Cement Abutment

As with the screw-retained abutment, the cement abutment has its benefits. One of the most beneficial is that it is aesthetically pleasing. Even though both offer a natural look, cement abutments have a more uniform appearance.

Cement abutments also do not have the same limitations that screw-retained ones do when it comes to angular applications. The can be applied from virtually any angle without the fear of the abutment being seen by others.

In addition to this, the cement abutment is less expensive than the screw-retained. To prepare for usage, the screw-retained component needs to be customized. The result is a more expensive foundation for your implants.

Cement abutments do come with the risk of damage to the tissue near the implant. There is also the problem of the abutment potentially lasting a shorter period than the screw-retained one.

Your surgeon will review additional pros and cons of each abutment with you. He or she will then help you select the right one for your procedure. 

Contact a dentist that specializes in dental implants for more information and assistance.