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Screw-retained implants carry a flaw: the screw can loosen, and the pocket it leaves behind can trap bacteria. Screwless dental implants were designed to solve that exact problem. However, one type of dental implant without screws is more problematic than traditional implants: the ones with cemented crowns, which lead to unnecessary problems in an age of CAD-CAM technology.
In this article, we detail all crucial information about screwless implants, including its 3 main types, costs and how to verify the best Swiss brands.
Key points at a glance:
A screwless dental implant (Conometric or Friction-Fit models) represent the third generation of implantology, engineered to solve 3 recurring issues of traditional dental implants: screw loosening, microleakage and visible screw heads. Today, 5-axis CAD/CAM milling makes friction-fit implants far more consistent than ever.
Important: an implant that replaces the screw with cement is screwless, but it can lead to documented problems. At One Life Dental, “screwless dental implants” mean a conometric/friction-fit connection, with neither a screw nor cement.
There are two families of screwless implant systems: the locking-taper system (developed by Bicon, 1980s), and the conometric crown system (the newest formula):
Locking-taper | Conometric | |
Cone location | Implant ↔ abutment | Abutment ↔ crown cap |
Compatible with | Its own fixtures only | Ankylos, Astra Tech, Xive |
Retrofit to existing implants | No | Yes |
Any cement used | None | Extraorally, in the lab |
Maintenance | Specialist instrument | Manufacturer’s fixation/removal tool |
Screwless implants substitute two failure points (the retainer screw and cement) for a single, sealed connection. This is why their long-term complication rate is the lowest of the three dental implant systems.
Screwless implants close the two failure points that affect traditional restorations:
Screw-Retained | Cement-Retained | Screwless (Friction-Fit) | |
Main risk | Screw loosening (up to 5-12% of single-tooth cases over time) | Excess cement trapped below the gumline | Sealed friction-lock (no screw, no cement) |
Bacteria pathway | Microleakage through the screw-access channel | Cement margin sits under the gum | Hermetic seal (no access point) |
Aesthetics | Visible screw-access hole in the crown | No hole, but a cement line can show | 100% solid crown surface |
Removability | Screw can seize or strip over time | Hard to remove without damaging the crown | Releasable with a specialised dental tool |
(Source: Stanbouly et al., “Design and the future of locking-taper screwless and cementless dental implants,” Frontiers of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, 2024.)
In practice, more implants cause trouble at the connection than in the bone. Abutment screws loosen, occasionally fracture, and each retightening is another dental appointment. Friction-fit systems delete those risks entirely, which is why they’re often recommended in the following patient and dental cases:
The secret to friction-fit implants lies in conic geometry. Instead of using screws or cement, they lock dental crowns with a taper system. The dental abutment and the internal cap of the crown are milled through CAD/CAM technology with nanometric precision, so that the two fuse together under light pressure.
Surgery follows the next steps:
Screwless dental implants cost an average $2,500 (fixture only), with a global price of $700 to $6,000 per unit. That’s 20% more than screw-retained implants, due to the extra lab precision. However, the total cost can land below conventional implants, because friction-fit designs often eliminate the need for bone grafting.
Country | Screwless friction-fit | Availability |
🇺🇸 United States | $3,000 – $6,000 | Widely available |
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $2,800 – $5,900 | Limited, select practices |
🇨🇦 Canada | $2,500 – $5,000 | Limited |
🇦🇺 Australia | $2,300 – $5,200 | Limited |
🇹🇷 Turkey | $700 – $1,400 | Rare |
🇲🇽 Mexico | $1,200 – $2,800 | Available in border/tourism clinics |
🇭🇺 Hungary | $1,000 – $1,900 | Rare |
🇵🇱 Poland | $900 – $1,700 | Rare |
🇪🇸 Spain | $1,200 – $2,000 | Limited |
Figures are for single-tooth implant (fixture + abutment + crown), sourced from national dental associations, insurer guides and 2026 market reports. This range is a reasonable estimate based on comparative market reports, not an official fee schedule.
Because conometric systems rely on micron-level friction, non-original implants easily lead to failure. With One Life Dental, every screwless component used in your restoration is accompanied by its original REF (Reference) and LOT (Batch) codes. These codes allow you to track the provenance of the titanium and zirconia back to the manufacturer (such as Straumann or Nobel Biocare).
The above image shows screwless zirconia crowns seated using a friction-fit taper. Crowns are 100% ceramic zirconia, making the restoration blend with natural teeth colour and light transmission. Notice how the gumline sits symmetrically around each crown. It’s the level of precision that CAD/CAM technology allows.
The fixture itself (the titanium/zirconia post) can last a lifetime; the crown typically needs replacing after 10–15 years. However, longevity depends less on the technology itself and more on how the case was planned, and how well the patient maintains it afterward.
Screwless dental implants have important benefits for many patients and dentists worldwide. For example, they allow for easy cleaning and replacement. Overall, the core benefits are fewer risks, better aesthetics, and easier maintenance than traditional screw-retained options.
Here are the main advantages at a glance:
Most patients missing one or more teeth are usually suitable for the procedure. You’re likely a good candidate for screwless (conometric) implants if you have:
Screwless dental implants eliminate failure points of traditional implants, but they introduce a few of their own. No system is risk-free and dental implant complications can happen. This being said, risks are about execution (lab precision, case selection, and surgeon experience), and post-op care. Not about the system per se.
The friction fit that removes screw loosening also removes the screw’s convenience: there is no component to simply undo. No implant system is without trade-offs. Two consequences matter in practice.
In screwless dental implants, retention depends on friction rather than a mechanical stop, and conometric systems can face gradual friction loss at the crown-cap area. Manufacturers therefore specify periodic review rather than treating the restoration as permanent.
Screwless crowns are only replaceable with instruments specific to the system: the manufacturer’s tooling. Systems from major manufacturers are more widely serviced than proprietary designs, so make sure you use universal systems. Always ask your clinic to supply the REF and LOT codes of every component fitted, so any future dentist knows exactly what they are working with.
Research in this space is moving in three main directions in 2026, even though these are still emerging technologies rather than established, widely-available options:
No. While they do not use screws, they utilize Conic Geometry to create a “cold weld” or friction-lock. This connection is so stable that it requires specialized clinical tools for the dentist to remove the crown. It is designed to withstand the highest human chewing forces without ever loosening or shifting during daily use.
There is a slight premium for screwless dental implants in Turkey due to the higher cost of conometric components and the precision milling required in the lab. However, because we own the ComfyDent Lab, our price remains 70% lower than what you would pay for standard screwed implants in the UK or USA.
Absolutely. In fact, screwless technology is the gold standard for full-arch cases (like All-on-4 or All-on-6). It eliminates the multiple screw holes that can weaken a full bridge, providing a much stronger, more hygienic, and more aesthetic result for patients replacing all their teeth.
The elimination of dental glue (cement). In traditional dentistry, microscopic amounts of excess cement can get trapped under the gums, causing a chronic infection known as Peri-implantitis. By being 100% cement-free, screwless implants are the most “gum-friendly” option available in modern dentistry.
Dr. Tastan uses a specialized “pulse” tool that safely breaks the friction-lock of the conometric cap. This allows for easy removal during your annual maintenance visits without damaging the crown or the implant fixture—a significant advantage over screw-retained systems where screws can become “seized” or stripped.
The surgical placement of the implant is exactly the same as a traditional one, performed under local anesthesia to ensure it is entirely painless. The primary difference is in the restoration phase, which is actually more comfortable because there is no pressure from tightening screws into your jawbone.
We primarily utilize systems from Straumann and Medentika, who are pioneers in conometric technology. These brands provide the highest degree of “taper accuracy,” which is essential for a secure, long-term friction fit. We provide the batch codes for these brands for your peace of mind.
Because it requires a massive investment in digital infrastructure. You cannot make screwless crowns using traditional lab methods; you need 5-axis CAD/CAM milling and a surgeon who is trained in conometric protocols. Most “high-volume” clinics stick to cheaper, easier screw-retained methods.
Maintenance is identical to natural teeth. You must brush twice a day and use a water-flosser or interdental brushes to keep the gum line clean. Because there are no screw holes to harbor bacteria, many patients find screwless implants actually stay cleaner than traditional ones.
No — and this trips up a lot of patients. Both skip the screw, but cement-retained crowns are held by adhesive, which can trap bacteria under the gumline. True screwless (conometric) implants use a friction-fit taper instead — no screw, no cement, no adhesive margin at all.
Yes — they’re a well-researched, reliable option. A 10-year study of nearly 1,500 locking-taper implants recorded a 98.7% survival rate, on par with the best screw-retained systems, while avoiding screw loosening and the screw-access hole entirely.
Expect to pay roughly 10–20% more than a standard screw-retained implant, since the friction-fit taper needs extra lab precision. In Turkey, that’s around $500–$950 per tooth; in the UK or US, several thousand pounds or dollars more.
The same conometric technology, just applied to older patients — who are excellent candidates as long as they’re in good general health. Age itself isn’t a barrier; bone density and manageable conditions like diabetes matter far more than the number of candles on your cake.
No more than a standard implant. Placement is done under local anaesthetic, so you’ll feel pressure, not pain. Mild soreness for a few days afterward is normal and manageable with standard painkillers — many patients say it’s less uncomfortable than a tooth extraction.
The healing timeline is the same as any implant: 3–6 months for full osseointegration before the permanent crown goes on. Choosing screwless technology doesn’t speed up or slow down that biological healing process.
Yes, but not by hand. A dentist uses a specialised tool to release the friction-lock safely — useful for maintenance, cleaning or repairs — without damaging the crown or the implant underneath.
Absolutely — it’s the most common use case. One implant, one friction-fit crown, and no visible access hole, which is exactly why it’s such a popular choice for a single front tooth.
Often, yes. Without a screw-access hole to fill, the crown is one solid, uninterrupted surface — so there’s no filling material to discolour over time, which is a common giveaway with screw-retained front teeth.
They remove one specific infection pathway — bacteria entering through the screw channel — which is linked to their strong complication-free survival rate. But good long-term health still depends on your daily hygiene and regular check-ups.
Generally, yes. The solid, hole-free crown surface is especially valuable where aesthetics matter most — which is why it’s the preferred choice for visible teeth like the upper incisors.
They’re built to handle normal chewing forces reliably, especially in titanium form for back teeth. They’re not inherently “stronger” than screw-retained systems — the real advantage is avoiding the screw as a mechanical weak point.
Many patients find them so, yes. With no screw-access channel to trap debris, there’s one less spot for plaque to build up — though brushing, flossing and regular check-ups still matter just as much as ever.
Not really — the surgery and healing phase are identical to any implant. Where it saves time is at the final visit: the crown snaps into place with light pressure, no screw-tightening step required.