,,Screwless” dental implant – what it really means and what solutions actually exist

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Searches such as “dental implant without screw” and “price of screwless dental implants” are becoming increasingly common. In most cases, patients are looking for a more aesthetic solution, without a visible access hole in the tooth or exposed metal.

In this article, we clearly explain what is actually meant by “screwless implant,” what solutions truly exist in clinical practice, and what the advantages and limitations of each option are.

Do dental implants without screws exist?

The correct answer from a medical point of view is: there are no dental implants without a mechanical fixation system.

The implant itself, meaning the part that is placed into the bone, is always mechanically anchored. The confusion arises at the level of the crown or prosthesis, not the implant inside the bone.

When patients say “without screw,” they most often refer to the fact that there is no visible screw in the crown.

Crowns on dental implants without screws

(without access hole, without visible screw in the tooth)

This is the most common interpretation of the term “screwless dental implant.” In reality, it refers to crowns that are not screw-retained, but fixed by cementation.

Prefabricated abutment for cementation

Prefabricated abutments are standard components onto which the crown is cemented, not screw-retained.

In the past, including in our clinic, they were used more frequently because they reduced the overall treatment cost. Today, these abutments are considered only in very limited situations, for example:

• frontal areas
• upper incisors
• extreme cases where even a dynamic abutment does not allow the access hole to be hidden on the palatal side

They are no longer considered a standard solution.

Custom individual abutment

Currently, in our clinic, we use exclusively individual abutments, custom-made specifically for each patient.

Materials used:

• titanium
• zirconium
• Cr-Co

Advantages of the individual abutment:

• precise adaptation to the gum
• better control of the crown margin
• superior aesthetics
• minimal risk of residual cement

This solution increases the initial cost but significantly reduces the risk of long-term complications.

Risks of crowns on screwless dental implants

It is important for the patient to be aware of the limitations of these solutions:

• possibility of residual cement remaining under the gum
• chronic inflammation and peri-implantitis
• major difficulties when implant revision is needed
• the crown cannot be easily removed or cannot be removed at all

“Screwless” does not mean “risk-free,” but rather a different type of compromise.

Full dentures on screwless dental implants

(removable, non screw-retained restorations)

Another category of solutions often associated with the term “screwless implant” includes semi-fixed implant-supported dentures. These are not fixed crowns, but removable restorations.

Fixation methods

• with ball (Ball attachment)
• on a metal bar
• with special locators

When are these solutions used?

Semi-fixed dentures are considered only in carefully selected clinical situations, especially when a fixed All-on-X solution is not recommended or not possible.

Examples:

• unfavorable anatomy
• incorrect relationship between the maxilla and the mandible
• severe Class III malocclusion, with increased biomechanical risk for fixed restorations

In these cases, the semi-fixed denture represents a medical compromise, not the ideal solution.

Why we use these solutions extremely rarely

• we recommend a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 implants for stability
• the price difference compared to All-on-4 in our clinic is small
• internal attachment systems wear out over time and require periodic replacement

In the medium and long term, the financial advantage is reduced almost to zero.

Screw-retained implant vs “screwless implant” – what really matters

It is not the term used that matters, but:

• the stability of the restoration
• long-term tissue health
• the possibility of future interventions
• the real cost over time

Price of a screwless dental implant – why it varies so much

The price depends on:

• the type of restoration (crown or denture)
• prefabricated abutment vs custom abutment
• materials used
• case complexity

A correct price can only be established after a consultation and diagnostic investigations.

Dental implants in Moldova / Chișinău

In Moldova, including Chișinău, there are significant differences between clinics in terms of technology, materials, and medical standards.

We recommend that patients always ask:

• what type of abutment is used
• whether the restoration can be revised
• what happens after 5–10 years

Conclusion

“Screwless dental implant” is a popular but incomplete term. There are aesthetic solutions, removable options, and compromises that need to be properly understood.

The best solution is the one adapted to your clinical case, not the one with the most attractive name.

We invite you to a consultation at our clinic in Chișinău, Moldova, for an accurate evaluation and a personalized recommendation.