Screw retained implant bridge in Turkey: what it is and how it works
A screw retained implant bridge is a row of fixed artificial teeth that is attached to dental implants with small screws, rather than being glued on with cement. Each implant is a titanium post set in the jawbone; a connector (abutment) sits on top, and the bridge is fastened to those connectors with screws that pass through small channels in the bridge. The screw access holes are sealed with a tooth-coloured filling, so they are hardly visible. Because the bridge is held mechanically, a dentist can unscrew it for cleaning, repair or adjustment, and put it back.
The bridge can replace two or three teeth on two implants, a whole arch on four to eight implants, or a section at the back of the mouth. This guide explains how it works, how it compares with a cement-retained bridge and with a removable denture, what the stages and healing times are, what it costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany and how to check a clinic. For fixed full-arch designs see our page on All-on-6 dental implants.
Why choose screws instead of cement?
The main reason is retrievability. With screws, a dentist can remove the bridge in minutes to clean beneath it, tighten a loose screw, replace a chipped tooth or deal with a problem at one implant. A cement-retained bridge is bonded and usually has to be cut off if something goes wrong. Screw retention also removes the risk of excess cement being pushed under the gum during fitting; leftover cement is a recognised cause of inflammation around implants (peri-implantitis), and can be hard to see on an X-ray.
There are trade-offs. The screw channel has to sit in a suitable position, ideally through the biting surface of a back tooth or the cingulum behind a front tooth; if an implant is placed too far forward, the screw hole can come out at the front of the tooth and spoil the appearance, which is why the planning stage is so important. The screw itself can loosen and need tightening. A good team will plan the implant positions from a 3D scan, so the channels end up where they should.
Does a screw retained implant bridge work? What the evidence says
Implant-supported bridges have a well-documented record: studies and systematic reviews report high implant survival over ten years for most designs, with high rates of patient satisfaction. Both screw- and cement-retained bridges perform well in the right hands. Reviews tend to show that screw-retained bridges have fewer biological complications such as inflammation from retained cement, while technical complications, such as a loosened screw or chipped porcelain, are somewhat more frequent and usually simple to fix.
What the evidence does not show is that one retention type is better than another in every situation. Outcomes depend more on bone quality, implant position, hygiene, smoking and a bite that is not overloaded. Be wary of a clinic that says one method always wins, or that the bridge will last for life.
Who is a good candidate, and who is not?
You may suit a screw-retained bridge if you have lost two or more teeth, or a whole arch, you have a healthy mouth with enough bone or are willing to have it rebuilt, and you can keep the area clean. It suits people who want fixed teeth that a dentist can service. You may need extra steps or a different plan in these situations:
- low or thin bone, for example in the upper back jaw, which may need a sinus lift or bone grafting;
- untreated gum disease or decay;
- heavy smoking, uncontrolled diabetes or medicines that affect bone;
- heavy grinding, which loads the bridge and calls for a night guard;
- jaw radiotherapy in the past.
A cone-beam CT scan and a clinical examination decide the plan, not a photograph or a phone call.
Screw retained implant bridge cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures below are approximate ranges for a three-unit bridge on two implants, including the implants and the bridge, not clinic quotes. A full-arch bridge costs several times more. Each clinic confirms its own price in a written quote.
| Country | Approximate cost, 3-unit bridge on 2 implants |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €1,500 – €4,000 |
| United Kingdom | €4,000 – €9,000 |
| United States | €5,500 – €13,000 |
| Germany | €3,500 – €8,000 |
What changes the price: the number of implants and bridge units, the implant brand and its warranty, the material of the bridge (a zirconia bridge costs more than porcelain on metal), bone grafting or extractions, and whether temporary teeth are fitted. Ask what the package includes: scan, implants, abutments, a temporary solution, the final bridge, follow-up visits and the second trip.
How is a screw retained bridge made, step by step?
- Planning: examination, X-rays and a 3D scan to place the implants where the screw channels will come out correctly.
- Implant surgery: under local anaesthetic, with sedation if wanted, the implants are placed; any extractions or grafts are done at the same time or earlier.
- Healing: the bone bonds to the implants over about three to six months, sometimes less when the bone is strong.
- Impressions or scan: abutments are fitted and the position of the implants is recorded.
- Try-in: a framework or a trial bridge is checked for fit, bite and appearance.
- Final fitting: the bridge is screwed on to the specified torque, the screw holes are sealed, and the bite is adjusted.
Implant placement takes one to two hours for a short bridge. In some cases a temporary bridge can be fitted on the day, but that depends on the stability of the implants.
Screw retained, cement retained or removable denture?
The choice depends on the number of teeth, the bone, your budget and how you want to clean the area.
| Option | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Screw retained implant bridge | Fixed teeth that a dentist may need to remove for servicing | Needs well-placed implants; screws may loosen |
| Cement retained implant bridge | Cases where the screw channel would show at the front | Difficult to remove; excess cement can irritate the gum |
| Removable denture on implants | Tighter budgets; easy cleaning; see dentures | Less fixed feel; needs periodic relining |
| Conventional bridge on natural teeth | Healthy neighbours that already need crowns; see dental bridge installation | Neighbouring teeth must be reduced |
For a single missing tooth, a single implant crown may be simpler; our guide to dental implants compares the main designs.
Recovery and what to expect after surgery
After implant placement, swelling and bruising are normal for two to three days, and most people feel soreness for about a week. You eat soft food and avoid pressing on the area while the bone heals, keep the site clean with the rinse recommended by your dentist and take the prescribed medicines. Most people return to normal activities within a few days. Once the bridge is fitted, you may notice the bite feels different for a short time; small adjustments fix this. You clean under the bridge with interdental brushes or a water flosser, as the dentist shows you, and attend check-ups, which in practice mean at least a yearly review and a hygiene visit.
How long will I stay in Turkey for a screw retained bridge?
The treatment usually needs two trips. The first, about three to five nights, covers examination, scan and implant surgery. The second, about three to five nights after a healing period of three to six months, covers impressions, the try-in and the final bridge. Some clinics compress this into one stay with a temporary bridge, or use a faster schedule when the bone is strong; ask for the plan in writing. Keep the implant brand, the abutment type and the torque value, as your own dentist will need them later to service the bridge.
Risks and complications of a screw retained implant bridge
Implant surgery carries risks that include infection, bleeding, nerve irritation causing numbness, damage to nearby teeth, failure of an implant to bond to the bone and, in the upper jaw, sinus problems. Later problems include a loosened screw, chipped porcelain or acrylic, wear of the bridge, food trapping and inflammation around the implant when cleaning is poor. The NHS and professional bodies such as the American Dental Association point out that smoking and gum disease raise the risk of implant failure. Regular review lets problems be fixed early. Ask who will service the bridge if you live abroad, and whether your home dentist works with the implant brand used.
How to choose a clinic and what to ask
Look for a licensed dentist or implantologist who plans from a 3D scan, records the implant brand and gives you a written plan and price before a deposit. Red flags include a quote with no breakdown, no named implant system, promises of a lifetime guarantee, pressure to book immediately and no plan for follow-up. Read how our process works and use our free quote page to receive a written plan after a clinic has reviewed your scan.
Questions worth asking:
- Is the bridge screw retained or cement retained, and why for my case?
- Where will the screw channels sit, and will they be visible?
- Which implant brand and abutments are used, and will I get the record card?
- What is the bridge made of and how is the bite protected?
- What does the warranty cover, and what will servicing cost?
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is a fixed bridge fastened to dental implants with small screws rather than cement. The screw holes are sealed with a tooth-coloured filling, and a dentist can unscrew the bridge for cleaning or repair.
Screw retained bridges can be removed by a dentist and avoid leftover cement under the gum. Cement retained bridges can hide the screw hole better but are harder to remove. The choice depends on implant position and the case.
Approximate ranges for a three-unit bridge on two implants are €1,500 to €4,000 in Turkey, against roughly €4,000 to €9,000 in the UK. The price depends on the implant brand, bridge material and bone work, and is confirmed in a written quote.
Yes. Studies report high implant survival over ten years, with good patient satisfaction. Results depend on bone quality, implant position, cleaning and bite, and loosened screws or chipped porcelain are the most common repairable problems.
Implants need about three to six months to bond to the bone, then the bridge is made and fitted in a second visit. Some cases allow a temporary bridge on the day, depending on implant stability.
Implant surgery is done under local anaesthetic, with sedation if wanted. Afterwards most people have soreness and swelling for a few days, usually controlled with simple painkillers.
Many implants last ten years or more with good cleaning and check-ups. The bridge material may need repair or replacement sooner, and screws may need retightening at reviews.
Usually two trips: about three to five nights for scan and implant surgery, then about three to five nights for the final bridge after three to six months of healing.
The screw channel is filled with a tooth-coloured material and is usually hardly visible on the back of a front tooth or the biting surface of a molar. Poor implant position can make it more noticeable, which is why planning matters.
It is a routine dental implant treatment. Risks include infection, implant failure, a loose screw, chipping and inflammation around the implant. Not smoking and cleaning carefully reduce these risks.