Can I Get Screwless Dental Implants?

Okay, so — dental implants. We’ve all heard of them. Metal screw goes in the jaw, new fake tooth on top, done deal. But then someone says, “Hey, there are screwless implants now,” and you’re like… Wait, what? How? Isn’t the whole thing a screw??

Fair question. It’s kind of a weird phrase, honestly.

So here’s the thing, straight up: there’s always a screw somewhere in the process. The “implant” part — the thing that goes into your jaw — is literally shaped like a tiny metal screw. That part isn’t going away. That’s how the thing stays in your bone.

BUT — and here’s where it gets a bit confusing — some people say “screwless implant” when they’re really talking about how the crown (the visible tooth part) is attached.

So What’s Actually Screwless?

There are two main ways the top tooth (the crown) gets attached:

1. Screw-retained: it’s held on with a tiny screw that goes through the top of the crown
2. Cement-retained: it’s glued on, kind of like a regular crown

So when people say “screwless,” they usually mean the crown is glued on — no visible screw hole at the top. That’s it. The part in your jaw still has a screw.

Why Glue It Instead?

Some folks (dentists included) like the cemented version because:

• No screw hole = looks nicer, especially in front teeth
• Feels smoother in your mouth
• Some say it’s more comfortable

But also? Glued crowns can be a pain if something goes wrong. If the glue messes up your gums or if the crown cracks later, it’s trickier to fix than one you can unscrew.

Are There Really Implants Without Screws at All?

Short answer? Not really.

There’ve been a few weird designs floating around over the years — like press-fit implants that wedge into place without a thread — but they’re super rare and not what any normal dentist would recommend today. Screws are what hold things steady long-term. It works. No one’s reinventing the wheel here.

So yeah — “screwless” implants are kinda real, but only in the sense that the top part (the tooth you see) might be glued on instead of screwed in. That’s really it. The implant itself? Still a screw. Always has been.

If you’re thinking about implants and someone offers you a “screwless” option, ask exactly what that means. Better to be clear now than confused later when your dentist starts waving around a drill.

Hope that clears things up.