Screw-Retained Implant Crowns in Lakewood, WA
When it comes to attaching your new tooth to its foundation, there are two main methods: using dental cement or using a tiny, precision-engineered screw. At the office of Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS, we often prefer Screw-Retained Implant Crowns for our patients in Lakewood and Tacoma. This method physically fastens the crown directly to the implant or abutment. By choosing a screw over cement, Dr. Kim provides a “safety-first” restoration that is easier to maintain, healthier for your gums, and fully “retrievable” if your smile ever needs an adjustment in the future.
Why We Prefer the “Screw-Retained” Advantage
As a specialized Dental Implant Periodontist, Dr. Kim prioritizes the long-term health of the tissue surrounding your implant. Screw-retained crowns offer several critical biological and mechanical benefits:
- Elimination of “Cement Sepsis”: One of the leading causes of implant failure is excess cement leaking below the gum line, which can cause chronic inflammation and bone loss (Peri-implantitis). Screw-retained crowns use no cement, entirely removing this risk.
- Easy Retrievability: If your crown ever chips, or if the screw simply needs a minor tightening after years of heavy chewing, Dr. Kim can easily remove the crown without damaging it. This is much more cost-effective than “cemented” crowns, which often have to be cut off and completely remade.
- Healthier Gums: Without the irritation of cement, the gum tissue (the “cuff”) can seal more tightly around the implant, acting as a natural barrier against bacteria.
- Ideal for Limited Space: In areas where there isn’t much vertical room between your teeth, screw-retained designs are often the only way to provide a strong, stable restoration.
Precision Engineering in the South Sound
Creating a screw-retained crown requires extreme surgical precision. The implant must be placed at the perfect angle so that the tiny screw access hole exits in an area that doesn’t interfere with your bite or your aesthetics.
- The “Invisible” Access Hole: Once the crown is screwed into place, Dr. Kim fills the small access hole with a tooth-colored composite resin. It is polished to match your tooth perfectly, making it virtually invisible to the naked eye.
- Angulated Screw Channels (ASC): For our neighbors in University Place and Steilacoom, Dr. Kim uses advanced ASC technology. This allows us to “aim” the screw hole toward the back of the tooth even if the implant is slightly tilted, ensuring your front teeth remain beautiful and functional.
A Collaborative Standard of Care
At Kim Dental Implants, we treat every implant as a lifelong partnership. By using screw-retained technology, Dr. Kim ensures that your restoration is “serviceable.” Just as you wouldn’t buy a car with a hood that was welded shut, we believe your dental work should be accessible for routine maintenance. This level of foresight is why patients from Oakbrook to JBLM trust us with their complex dental needs.
To learn more about the safety and maintenance of screw-retained restorations, you can consult the American Academy of Periodontology or the Academy of Osseointegration. Dr. Kevin Kim and his team are dedicated to using the most predictable, “cement-free” methods to protect your investment and your health.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Service
What is a screw-retained implant crown?
A screw-retained implant crown is a type of “fixed” artificial tooth that is permanently screwed onto an individual implant abutment. Unlike removable dentures, this restoration is securely fastened and can only be removed by a dental professional for cleaning or repair.
Can a dental implant screw be removed?
Yes, fixed artificial teeth like screw-retained crowns are attached to the abutment using a screw. This design allows a dentist or prosthodontist to unscrew and remove the crown if it needs to be repaired or if the underlying implant needs to be assessed.
Can an implant crown be repaired?
Mayo Clinic specialists note that artificial teeth can be removed for repair. Because screw-retained designs are easier to retrieve than cemented ones, they can often be detached, fixed by a dental technician, and then re-secured to the existing implant post.
What is the lifespan of a dental implant screw?
The titanium “screw-like” post that is surgically placed into the jawbone is designed to be a long-term solution. Because the metal fuses with your bone (osseointegration), the post itself can last a lifetime, though the crown attached to it may eventually wear down and require replacement.
When to use screw retained implant crowns over cement retained?
The choice between screw-retained and cement-retained crowns is guided by the type of implant and the condition of the jawbone. Your prosthodontist or dentist will choose the best attachment method based on the need for solid support and whether the tooth needs to be easily removable for future maintenance.