Cement Retained Implant Crowns
Pros of Cement retained crowns:
1. Lack of screw access hole = better aesthetics. Screw holes are usually filled with composite or acrylic that can be very difficult to match exactly to the actual crown. Going cement retained eliminates this step.
2. Easier to achieve passive fit. Due to the cement layer between the crown and the abutment, cement retained crowns offer more flexibility when it comes to crown placement.
3. In-tact occlusion. When screw access holes are filled with composite or acrylic, it can alter the occlusion. However, for Cement retained crowns, the occlusal plane will be complete, reducing the need to fill any gaps.
Cons of Cement retained crowns:
1. Retrieval is very difficult. Cement retained crowns usually cannot be taken out without damaging the crown and the abutment, whereas screw retained crowns can be taken out easily.
2. Not recommended for bridges or cantilever implant restorations. Screw retained crowns perform significantly better in these restorations. Any repairs, maintenance and adjustments can result in damages to both the crowns and abutment in cement retained implants.
3. Increased risk of infection or soft tissue damage. When excess cement is not completely removed and left inside the patient’s mouth, there is an increased risk of causing more damage to the gums.