The invention relates to a retention element (1) for attaching a first dental component (20), such as an abutment, to a second dental component (30), such as a dental implant. The retention element (1) comprises a coronal attachment portion (2) for attaching the retention element (1) to the first dental component (20), and an apical attachment portion (4) for attaching the retention element (1) to the second dental component (30). The retention element (1) is elastically deformable at least in all directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion (4) towards the coronal attachment portion (2). The apical attachment portion (4) comprises at least one projection (8) extending in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion (4) towards the coronal attachment portion (2). Further, the invention relates to a dental assembly comprising the retention element (1) and to a use of the retention element (1) for attaching a first dental component (20), such as an abutment, to a second dental component (30), such as a dental implant, outside a human or animal body.
