Screw-Retained Restoration
An implant-supported prosthetic crown or bridge that is fastened directly to the abutment or implant via a retaining screw rather than dental cement.
Full Definition
A screw-retained restoration is secured to the implant system through an access hole in the occlusal or palatal surface of the prosthesis, which is subsequently sealed with composite or wax. This design allows retrieval and replacement without damaging the prosthesis or surrounding tissue — a clinically significant advantage that editors should accurately convey in patient information leaflets and clinical papers. Editors must not confuse this with a cement-retained restoration, which is bonded using luting cement and is generally more difficult to retrieve. The access hole is a defining anatomical feature of screw-retained restorations and should be referenced in descriptions of the prosthesis. In CAD/CAM milling reports, the screw channel angulation is a critical technical parameter.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as 'screw-retained' when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., screw-retained crown).
In Context
- "A screw-retained restoration was selected to facilitate future retrievability in this patient with limited inter-arch space." — Prosthodontic treatment plan
- "The technique note must specify whether the restoration is screw-retained or cement-retained, as the clinical implications differ substantially." — Journal author guidelines