The continuing FDA ban on importation of Biora`s Emdogain and Bone Substitute has cost parent company Straumann 10 million Swiss francs (8.14 million US$). Straumann chief executive Gilbert Achermann described the loss as `painful`. He furthermore stated that `The US FDA will reinspect our facility in Malmo, but we are not in a position to say when this will happen, If all goes well`, Biora products `could be reintroduced in the US in the first quarter of this year,` Additionally,
Swiss implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare has signed an exclusive agreement with Wyeth Pharmaceutical manufacturer of Bone Morphogenic Protein rhBMP-2. They claim that: `TiUnite(r) will serve as the foundation for the next generation of dental implants with the potential of eliminating the need to graft and use of membranes. Nobel Biocare is currently in clinical testing of an implant designed to create its own bone. This implant will be treated with a bone morphogenetic protein rhBMP-2 (a recombinant version of a
Novartis, the Swiss pharmaceutical giant has taken a 10% stake in Swiss dental implant manufacturer Thommen Medical. According to a press release, Novartis`s stake will rise to 20% later in the summer. Andreas Stutz, Thommen Medical CEO says: “Novartis is a strategic partner for us. This opens completely new possibilities in the area of research. The understanding of soft-tissue and bone biology becomes more and more important for the producers of dental implants. Furthermore, we see the interest of Novartis
Materialise`s soon to be released Simplant 11 will feature realistic renderings of stock implant abutments. This will allow implantologists to choose realistic stock implant abutments based upon shape, tissue cuff height, diameter and purpose prior to the placement of the actual implants.
Straumann has updated their wide diameter implant twist drill design with a rounded apical profile ending in a flat tip to allow for more accurate osteotomy preparation. They claim that `the rounded flat-end tip facilitates safe drill positioning and ensures secure drill centering in the implant bed. The defined direction is maintained throughout the entire drilling process.`
Nobel Biocare has released a response to the recent marketing ban in their NobelDirect implant following reports that it lost an excessive amount of bone following placement. The response called the initial report to the Swedish Medical Products Agency (SMPA) on NobelDirect by Dr Albrektsson as `… incomplete and reported in an unscientific way. The analysis of the present manuscript shows that the material still suffers from intransparency and lack of scientific stringency. The process for peer-review may even be
Trinon has designed a series of extremely short, but wide implants designed for use in areas of limited alveolar height. This design is appropriate for severely atrophied, but wide lower and upper jaw architectures. Insertion is via trephine use and are very appropriate for internal sinus lift use. The implants range in size from 4mm to 7mm in height.
GoldenMisch has developed a set of extraction forceps. Its design delivers a powerful mechanical advantage by employing an efficient first-class lever. The forceps feature a bumper which is set low on the alveolar ridge, perpendicular to the tooth, creating a good fulcrum point. The Physicsforceps makes only one point of contact with the tooth, as opposed to conventional forceps that work like pliers. The website shows various testimonials and animation of the `rolling` extraction technique.
Astratech has released a customized version of Simplant for use with their implant system. The software program also contains 3D images of implants, abutments and teeth. This ensures efficient, accurate and reliable planning of implant positions, sizes and number of implants, and abutments to be used. In addition it provides better control over the esthetic outcome. When the case is planned, a surgical guide is ordered to make sure that the planning result will be replicated in the real surgical
Straumann has been granted a US Patent on its new implant delivery mount. The much needed redesign features `keyless` removal and incorporates an innovative implant indexing system into the mount, anticipating that implant indexing will increasingly be done at the time of implant placement.
