Screw-retained implant crowns are fastened to the implant with a screw through an access channel, so they can be removed and leave no cement around the crown margin. Cement-retained crowns are cemented onto a custom abutment, which keeps the visible and biting surfaces free of a screw channel when the access would land in the wrong place. At ArtyCad, screw-retained crowns are made on a custom abutment or a Ti-base, chosen with the dentist; cement-retained crowns always use a custom abutment. Both take 7–10 business days.
When each one makes sense
Screw-retained
Choose screw-retained when retrievability and avoiding cement around the implant margin are priorities. We make it on a custom abutment or a Ti-base, chosen case by case. See Screw-Retained Crowns and Ti-Base Crowns.
Cement-retained
Choose cement-retained when the screw access would come out on a visible surface or affect the bite. The crown is planned around a custom abutment for margin position, emergence, and crown support. See Cement-Retained Crowns.
Neither is better for every case: screw-retained is retrievable with no cement at the margin; cement-retained keeps the screw channel off visible and biting surfaces.
Screw-retainedScrew channel through the crown
Cement-retainedCemented on a custom abutment
| Screw-retained | Cement-retained | |
|---|---|---|
| How it attaches | A screw through an access channel in the crown. | Cemented onto a custom abutment. |
| Retrievable | Yes. Unscrew to remove the crown. | Not without removing the crown. |
| Cement at the crown margin | None. | Yes, the crown is cemented at the margin. |
| Access channel | Through the crown. | None in the crown. |
| Abutment | Custom abutment or Ti-base, chosen per case. | Custom abutment only. |
| Cost | A Ti-base is the economical option; a custom abutment costs more. | Always includes a custom abutment. |
| Typical choice | When retrievability and no cement at the margin matter. | When a screw channel would affect the visible surface or the bite. |
| Turnaround | 7–10 business days. | 7–10 business days. |
Custom abutment or Ti-base
We usually recommend a custom abutment: its emergence profile and path of insertion are designed for the case, while a Ti-base comes in stock heights and lengths. A Ti-base is the more economical choice when the platform, access position, and tissue space allow it. This matters most when implants sit deep in the tissue. See Custom Abutments.
What if the access channel is not ideal?
Send the scan and notes. We review whether angle correction, a custom abutment, or cement retention makes more sense before fabrication.
Records to send
- Implant system and platform
- Scan body or impression details
- Shade and photos for visible cases
- Opposing arch and bite
- Tissue depth notes and any access-channel preferences
Send scans through Submit Digital Case, or ship physical records with free PDS pickup in New York City and New Jersey or a free UPS label from other states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, screw-retained or cement-retained?
It depends on where the screw access would come out and how much retrievability matters. We help choose with the scan and notes.
Do cement-retained crowns need a custom abutment?
Yes. At ArtyCad, cement-retained implant crowns are always made on a custom abutment, planned for margin position, emergence, and crown support.
Is a Ti-base crown screw-retained?
Yes. A Ti-base crown is a screw-retained crown on a prefabricated titanium base.
Do you use original implant components?
Yes, original manufacturer parts for most implant brands, including Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Zimmer Biomet (ZimVie), Dentsply Sirona (Astra Tech), BioHorizons, Neodent, Hiossen (Osstem), MegaGen, MIS, Dentium, and other major systems.
How long do implant crowns take?
7–10 business days. Rush service is available for $50 per unit.
