Category Cruncher: The importance of implants

Three million people in the United States have implants, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and that number is growing by 500,000 a year. With an implant success rate of 98 percent, the U.S. dental implant and prosthetic market is projected to reach $6.4 billion by 2018.

Getting a piece of that market is even easier now thanks to the myriad options available. There are implants that work with full or partial dentures at the bone- or tissue-level. Some specialize in narrow or sloped ridges while others are designed to be minimally invasive. Options range from single-tooth to full-mouth restorations and tapered to angled. These varieties allow implants to be placed at the right height and bone density for optimal esthetic results.

We wanted to bring you a quick roundup of some of the leading implant options out there. Whether you’re a small practice, large practice or somewhere in between, here is a snapshot of some of the top implant companies and products.

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ZEST Anchors LOCATOR® Overdenture Implant System
The LOCATOR® Overdenture Implant System, or LODI, by ZEST Anchors is a product growing in popularity for treating edentulous patients who wish to secure their traditional dentures or partials. Known for its efficacy for use with narrow ridges by providing a less invasive and predictable implant, the LODI system is said to be a durable and cost-effective solution for securing traditional dentures. Other features include a lower vertical height, which makes it ideal for fitting under partials. Also, the LODI system features a two-piece system that includes an attachment placed following the implant, enabling replacement of the attachment in the case of wear over time.
ZEST Anchors
800-262-2310  |  zestanchors.com

3M ESPE MDI mini dental implants3M ESPE’s MDI mini dental implant system is said to be minimally invasive and immediately stabilizes full or partial dentures, often completed without a flap and frequently using the patient’s existing denture. MDIs are designed for stability in bone tissue, which frequently allows immediate loading. Attachment designs are available for custom retention with three retention options as well as attachment designs that forgive up to 30 degrees divergence with no need for an angle correction inventory. 3M ESPE mini dental implants are available in diameters of 1.8 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.4 mm and 2.9 mm at lengths of 10 mm, 13 mm, 15 mm and 18 mm to accommodate a wide range of patient needs.
3M ESPE
800-634-2249  |  3MESPE.com/implants

Biodenta bone-level tapered implant system
Biodenta offers innovative implant systems with comprehensive solutions. Primary stability and final osseointegration of the bone-level tapered implant are expedited via its surface treatment. Final restorative outcomes are optimized and micro movement is minimized due to its 6° internal conical connection. Varieties of restorative options, from single units to full-mouth restorations and stock abutments to customized solutions, are available. Biodenta’s bone-level tapered implant system is designed to feature the necessary modern design elements to ensure efficient and esthetic clinical results.
Biodenta
240-482-8484  |  biodenta.com

“Biodenta is truly a total solutions provider. They take you from an implant all the way through the workflow of scanning, transfer of data, designing, milling and delivery. They have support systems and training that allow one to get into the technology at whatever pace you’re comfortable with.”
–Dr. Vincent Prestipino, prosthodontist, Prestipino Dental Group private practice, Bethesda, Md.

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BIOMET 3i T3® Implant
The BIOMET 3i T3® Implant is a contemporary hybrid implant designed to deliver esthetic results through tissue preservation. This implant features a multi-surfaced topography comprised of a coarse micron surface obtained via resorbable calcium phosphate media blasting along the implant body up to the base of the collar. The entire length of the implant is then overlaid with a fine micron surface achieved with a dual acid-etching process. The option for a more complex, sub-micron topography with the discrete crystalline deposition of calcium phosphate nanoparticles is also available. In addition, the 3i T3 Implant is said to incorporate integrated platform switching provided by a medialized implant/abutment junction. Furthermore, the implant’s Certain® internal connection is designed to help form a stable implant/abutment interface.  
BIOMET 3i
800-342-5454  |  biomet3i.com

“The 3i T3 Implant is BIOMET 3i’s most advanced implant design intended to address key clinician needs for effective osseointegration, bone preservation and patient esthetics.”
-Rick Sajewski, global product manager, BIOMET 3i

DENTSPLY Implants ASTRA TECH Implant System™ EV
The new ASTRA TECH Implant System™ EV is designed to offer surgical simplicity  and flexibility as well as restorative ease without compromising long-term esthetic results, allowing you greater success in growing the implant portion of your practice. The versatile implant assortment covers a wide range of clinical situations, including limited vertical bone height (6 mm options), narrow horizontal and wide spaces (3 mm and 5.4 mm diameters) and sloped ridge situations (OsseoSpeed™ Profile EV-coming soon). The self-guiding impression component requires only one hand for precise seating. The system also includes an extensive restorative assortment, including a unique interface designed for one-position-only placement for ATLANTIS™ patient-specific abutments and a wide range of pre-fabricated abutments based on a crown-down philosophy.
DENTSPLY Implants
800-531-3481  |  dentsplyimplants.com

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Glidewell Laboratories Inclusive® Tapered ImplantsInclusive® Tapered Implants, available in three diameters and five lengths, are machined from high-grade titanium alloy. The implants incorporate an array of time-tested features, such as RBM surface treatment, designed to simplify surgical and restorative protocols while maximizing clinical and esthetic outcomes. Inclusive Tapered Implants are also available as part of the Inclusive® Tooth Replacement System. This all-in-one system contains everything required to predictably restore a missing tooth and is said to offer a simple, convenient and affordable treatment option.
Glidewell Laboratories
888-854-7256  |  glidewelldental.com

Hi-Tec implant systems
Hi-Tec developed an extensive range of eight implant systems designed to be compatible and interchangeable with other major systems and provide the ultimate solution in every case. The eight interchangeable implant systems include: the Tapered Self-Thread Implant, an internal hex connection with tapered thread implant; the Logic Plus Implant, a self-tapping, bone-condensing implant with internal hexagon; the X-6 Implant, an extra-short, unique body and wide-thread design; Vision and Implex Implants, which are root-form tapered implants suitable for the upper and lower jaw; the Expert Implant, cutting-edge root-form implants with high initial stability; Logic Implants, self-tapping, bone-condensing implants with an internal taper and hexagon; Tite-Fit and Tapered Tite-Fit implants, which are tissue-level; and Summit Implants, external hex implants for simplicity and universality.
Hi-Tec Implants
800-452-0582  |  hitec-implants.com

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Swish™ Implant System
Part of Implant Direct’s expansive portfolio of industry-compatible solutions with enhanced features, the Swish™ Implant System is now said to offer the simplicity of one surgical tray and one price at any level. Swish implants offer surgical compatibility with Straumann drills and deliver the industry’s original All-in-1 Packaging with a transfer/carrier, cover screw and healing collar. The new bone-level SwishActive implant features platform shifting and a conical hex connection. The hex is designed to provide six indexing positions for precise prosthetic placement while matched transgingival profiles on a range of prosthetics also allow for consistent soft tissue management. The tissue-level SwishPlus and the versatile SwishTapered both feature a Straumann-compatible internal octagon connection.  
Implant Direct
888-649-6425  |  implantdirect.com

AnyRidge® Implant System
With its patented, innovative KnifeThread design, the AnyRidge® Implant System is specifically designed for minimal disturbance of crestal bone and soft-tissue volume while ensuring both high initial and ongoing stability and better esthetic outcomes in even the most challenging applications. The unique design, which features 10 implant diameters with three core sizes, allows you to match the implant to the patient’s bone density, cut through the bone smoothly and condense it simultaneously. AnyRidge delivers progressive bone condensing, ridge expansion, maximized compressive force resistance and minimal shear force production. Each implant features XPEED® nano bone matrix surface treatment for reportedly faster and stronger integration.
integrated dental systems
866-277-5662  |  idsimplants.com

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Nobel Biocare NobelParallel Conical Connection
The new NobelParallel Conical Connection implant system combines a parallel-walled implant body that is well documented with an advanced internal connection to offer extraordinary flexibility. It is engineered for use in all bone qualities and for a wide range of indications. A 5.5 mm-wide platform option is designed for an optimized emergence profile for molar crowns. Together, the surgical protocol and implant design form a unique combination that’s intended to allow immediate function in more cases by providing high primary stability. The thread design and tapered apex of NobelParallel Conical Connection are designed for underpreparation of the surgical site and bicortical anchorage-techniques that support immediate loading.
Nobel Biocare
800-322-5001  |  nobelbiocare.com

“I have been impressed with NobelParallel Conical Connection. The drill protocol is straightforward, and the implant performs well in all bone qualities. I have found that NobelParallel Conical Connection provides excellent primary stability, making it a good implant choice for different indications.”
-Dr. Sascha Jovanovic, periodontist and academic chairman, gIDE Institute, Los Angeles

Simpler Implant Solutions SIMPLI™ two-piece implantSIMPLI™ threads are said to have at least 50 percent more surface area in contact with bone than any other implant for greater support. SIMPLI™ has at least 50 percent less core to thread ratio, reportedly requiring fewer drills and allowing less bone removal than other implants and making it easier to place. SIMPLI™ threads have a 250 cutting edge, which is said to make them cut easier, producing  less trauma to the bone. SIMPLI™ is available in 3, 3.7, 4.3 and 5.5 mm diameters and in 15, 13, 10, 8 and 6 mm lengths.
Simpler Implant Solutions
800-565-3559  |  simpliimplants.com

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Sterngold implant solutions
Sterngold, an industry-leading removable solutions provider and manufacturer of dental implants and attachment systems, is located in Attleboro, Mass., and has been in continuous operation in the dental industry since 1897. The company is widely known for its high quality, innovative attachment systems, such as the ORA, ERA and the all-new Stern SNAP Overdenture Implant Abutment. Sterngold also makes and distributes implant systems, including the Stern EX, the ERA Mini Implant and the Stern IC. Sterngold plans on launching a new bone-level internal connection implant system in the summer of 2015.
Sterngold
800-243-9942  |  sterngold.com

Straumann BLT Implant
The shape, surface and material combination of the Straumann® Bone-Level Tapered (BLT) Implant are designed to deliver primary stability in all bone classes, reportedly making it ideal for immediate placement and loading. The Straumann® BLT Implant features a tapered apex with three cutting notches, which is said to make this implant particularly suitable for situations involving soft bone or fresh extraction sockets where primary stability is key. In addition to enabling placement in underprepared osteotomy, the tapered form also gives you the flexibility to make the most of your patient’s limited anatomy, such as facial undercuts, converging root tips, concave jaw structure or narrow atrophied ridges.
Straumann
800-448-8168  |  straumann.us

“I have found the BLT design extremely beneficial for my single- and multiple-tooth immediate provisional cases. The new tapered apical design allows for very predictable insertion torques of 35Ncm and excellent primary stability.”
-Brad McAllister, DDS, PhD, Periodontal Associates, Tualatin, Ore.

ZEST Anchors SATURNO™ narrow-diameter implant system
ZEST Anchors introduced the SATURNO™ narrow-diameter implant system, featuring an innovative, angled o-ball implant option and patented, pivoting o-ring technology. The new SATURNO implant is a one-piece narrow diameter implant with a 1.8mm o-ball connection that incorporates many features, including a 20° angled o-ball implant to address the challenges associated with implant placement in the maxillary ridge, patented, pivoting cap technology providing maximum resiliency while maintaining a minimized profile, an innovative narrow body implant design incorporating progressive threads for increased primary stability, a self-tapping feature for ease of implant insertion and a proven RBM surface on the entire length of the implant. Each SATURNO implant is available in a choice of 20° angled or straight o-ball configurations; 2, 2.4 or 2.9 mm diameters; 10, 12 or 14 mm lengths; and cuff heights in 2 or 4 mm.
ZEST Anchors
800-262-2310  |  zestanchors.com

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