Screwless dental implants in Dubai — crowns without a visible screw
With a standard implant crown, a small screw holds the crown to the implant and its access hole is sealed with filling material. A “screwless” design holds the crown another way, so there is no access hole in the tooth. Here is how it works, where it helps and why the choice is made only after an assessment.
A screwless implant is an implant restoration in which the crown is not held by a retaining screw — it is secured by a precise friction-fit (conical) connection or by cement — so there is no screw-access hole on the biting or front surface. At Manhal Medical Center in Al Safa 1, Dubai, Consultant Implantologist Dr. Manhal Helfawee decides between screwless and screw-retained designs after a 3D assessment of the implant position, the bite and the gums.
Key facts
- No screw-access hole in the crown
- Crown held by a friction-fit (conical) connection or by cement
- Often chosen for front teeth and thin crowns
- Screw-retained crowns are easier to remove for maintenance
- Design chosen after a 3D assessment
Screw-retained vs screwless: the difference
In a screw-retained crown, a small screw passes through the crown into the implant. The crown can be removed easily by the dentist for cleaning or repair, but the screw channel has to come out somewhere on the tooth and is sealed with tooth-coloured filling. In a screwless crown the connection is made by a precisely machined taper that grips by friction, or by dental cement, so the surface of the crown is unbroken.
Where screwless crowns help
Because there is no access hole, the crown can be made entirely in ceramic with natural translucency, which matters most on front teeth. It can also help when the implant angle would make the screw channel come out on the front of the tooth, and for thin crowns where an access hole would weaken the porcelain.
The trade-offs
A screw-retained crown is easier to take off and put back, which is useful if the gum around an implant ever needs treatment or the crown needs repair. With cemented crowns, any excess cement must be removed very carefully because it can irritate the gum; friction-fit systems avoid cement but need specific components. These trade-offs are why there is no single best design for every patient.
How suitability is decided
Dr. Manhal reviews a CBCT scan, the planned implant position and angle, the space for the crown, your bite and your gum type, then explains which design he recommends for each implant and why. The decision is made per implant — some patients have screwless crowns at the front and screw-retained crowns at the back.
Treatment steps and recovery
The implant is placed and allowed to integrate with the bone as with any implant, usually over several weeks to a few months. The crown is then designed digitally and fitted. Aftercare is the same as for any implant: careful cleaning around the crown, interdental brushes or floss, and regular hygiene visits.
Prepared by the Manhal Medical Center editorial team · Updated: 2026-11-12
This page is general information and does not replace a consultation. Suitability, risks and results vary between patients.
Your specialist
Dr. Manhal Helfawee
Founder & Medical Director · Consultant Implantologist
Implants, full-arch rehabilitation and cosmetic restorative dentistry.
Questions patients ask
Are screwless implants better than screw-retained ones?
Neither is better for everyone. Screwless crowns avoid an access hole and can look more natural on front teeth; screw-retained crowns are easier to remove for maintenance. Dr. Manhal recommends a design per implant after assessment.
Is the implant itself different?
The implant in the bone is similar; the difference is how the crown is connected to it.
Can a screwless crown be removed later?
Friction-fit crowns can usually be removed with a dedicated instrument; cemented crowns are harder to remove without damaging them. This is part of the discussion before treatment.
Do screwless implants cost more?
It depends on the system and crown material. You receive a written plan with the price for each implant after your consultation.
Who places screwless implants at Manhal?
Dr. Manhal Helfawee, Founder & Medical Director and Consultant Implantologist.
What patients say on Google
Verbatim Google reviews (4★ and 5★) — shown in the original language.
Like many people, I don't enjoy the dentist. For many years I avoided visits out of fear. I found Manhal 15 years ago, and he is a wonderful dentist. Calming presence. Excellent implantology as well as other dental work. I have recommended him personally to many friends, and will continue to do so. I just hope he doesn't ever retire. When I have been overseas with dental problems, I have flown back to Dubai specifically to see him. Could not imagine ever going to another dentist.this was my first visit to Dr Manhal after recomendation from my husband, i needed his consultation after i visited more than one doctor in Lebanon with no luck, i am glad i visited him, he is very professional the clinic is very clean with great staffAmazing service and very friendly team I'm very happy with my dental implant results with Dr.Manhal ❤️Request an appointment
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Office 101, SMJ1 Building, Street 22A, Al Safa 1, Dubai, UAE