Top 5 Most Credible Dental Implant Companies & Manufacturers

Dental Implant Companies & Manufacturers

Globally, more than 150 companies manufacture dental implant systems and components. The most reputable and well-known dental implant companies are Straumann and Nobel Biocare. BioHorizons, Biomet 3i (Zimmer Biomet), and Dentsply Sirona are the other well-regarded dental implant producing companies.

Each of the top five implant producing companies has completed 30 years of business: long enough duration to generate, gather and examine data about the effectiveness of implant know-how. Further, since they are popular and globally accessible, dentists find it easier to get replacement parts of these brands.

Dental Implant Systems Are Created for Diverse Clinical Conditions

Each manufacturer and company designs different dental implants that suit specific clinical conditions. Some systems can be loaded immediately, and others require time to osseointegrate or bond with the bone of the patient.

Some dental implant systems have a narrower diameter for situations involving limited bone and space. Others are wider and shorter and most suitable for placement near the sinus cavities where the bone is usually thinner.

In the US, all available dental implant systems are of good quality and adhere to basic manufacturing requirements. However, some implant systems are more suitable than others in particular situations. Moreover, differences in implant success and survival rates are statistically insignificant.

Surgical Skill Impacts Implant Success

The defining factor behind successful implant treatment is the surgical skill of the dental implant dentist and the capabilities of the dentist or prosthodontist who plans the restorative dental implant procedure.

The quality of dental implants and the dentist tends to have an inverse relationship. If a patient is treated by a quality dental implant surgeon and dentist, the products of most implant manufacturers ensure the desired outcome. However, an inexperienced implant dentist using an excellent implant brand may not guarantee an optimal result.

Selecting the Appropriate Dental Implant System

Choosing the best available implant system can be difficult. However, you can work your way to a solution with the help of some pointers. Examine the duration for which the company has been in business; the quality of research conducted on the implant system, and whether there is a record of an implant component failing in say 10 years and the easy availability of a replacement part after that.

Research is a major choice-affecting factor: the better companies carry out robust research that forms the basis on reliable results. Smaller companies may manufacture cheaper implants that are not extensively tested and use lower quality implant materials. However, since all companies and manufacturers selling implant systems in the US have to meet the same set of FDA regulatory requirements, it ensures acceptable quality.

It is also vital that your dentist selects the appropriate implant system for your requirement. The dentist should also be capable enough to use the related technology such as computer guided surgery for pinpoint accuracy while placing your implant.

Worldwide Market Share of Dental Implant Manufacturers in 2017

In 2017, Straumann led the global dental implant market with an estimated market share 23% of dental implants, implants and related instruments. In the second spot was Nobel Biocare with 19% market share of the market, Dentsply occupied 15% share closely followed by Zimmer Biomet at 10% share, and BioHorizon had a 5% share. Other implant manufacturers accounted for the remaining 28% global market.

The Expanding Global Demand For Dental Implant Systems

Demand for prosthetics and use of implants in therapeutic fields is expanding the global dental implant systems market, which according to Grandview Research was estimated to be worth more than $3.77 billion in 2016 with a growth rate of a mid-single digit.

Moreover, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry estimates that more than 69% of Americans between 35 and 44 years have at least one missing tooth, and over 15 million people opt for crown and bridge replacements for missing teeth every year—boosting the need for dental implants. As per the American Dental Association, 5 million dental implants are placed in the US every year. Before we get to the major manufacturers, let’s discuss the factors of success around dental implants.

The global market includes demand for implants, abutments, and the equipment used during surgery. A bird’s eye profile of the major dental implant companies and manufacturers will indicate the reasons behind their success in a fiercely competitive market.

1) Straumann

Established in 1954 with $1,363,560 million revenue in 2018 Straumann works with universities, research institutes, and major clinics. It leads ongoing research in dental implants, tissue regeneration products that help prevent tooth loss, and equipment needed during surgery. It’s well-known for designing and producing the best possible, safe and highly durable implant system products.

The company’s oral tissue regeneration products support implant procedures or preserve natural teeth following treatment of advanced periodontal disease. Straumann’s implant system components and instruments are produced in the US and Switzerland. Its dental tissue regeneration products are made in Sweden, and restorative products are manufactured in the US and Europe.

Straumann has a rare space in the industry as it’s the only major dental industry company that provides comprehensive solutions including surgical, regenerative, and restorative products. The company’s offerings enable clinicians to offer the whole range of regenerative solutions— from the bone surrounding dental implants to tooth replacement.

Straumann’s manufactures surgical implants and abutments, which join the dental implant to the replacement prosthesis. The company also produces precision instruments and handling components that are utilized with its implant systems.

2) Nobel Biocare (Danaher)

Established in 1981 with $735 million revenue in 2013

Nobel Biocare manufactures implants and customized prosthetics using the latest CAD/CAM technology. The headquarters of Nobel Biocare is near the Zürich airport in Kloten, Switzerland. Initially, the company was a partnership, formed in 1978 between well-known Swedish medical researcher Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark who first observed the Osseointegration process in which a titanium implant fuses with the nearby jawbone, and Swedish company Bofors. The objective behind the founding of Nobel Biocare was to industrialize Osseointegration’s discovery.

Nobel Biocare’s core business is producing implants and related products such as abutments and restorative implants such as bridges and crowns. The company also sells software and scanners that aid in creating prosthetics for patients.

Nobel’s software is utilized for diagnostics and planning implant treatment and generates personalized surgical guides to create highly accurate templates that are used by dentists during implant placement surgery. The company also offers training and education for dental professionals in many countries and makes clinicians aware of particular legal training requirements in their countries.

3) Dentsply Sirona (Previously Astra Tech)

Astra Tech was established in 1991 with a revenue of $535 million in 2010

In 2011, American company Dentsply Sirona acquired Astra Tech for $1.8 billion. Today, Astra is run as a subsidiary of Dentsply, and the group company’s headquarters are in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Dentsply manufacturers dental equipment consumables, and sells its products in over 120 countries. With manufacturing factories in 21 countries, the company has a leadership position in consumable dental products. Dentsply conceptualizes and produces specific industry products including laboratory-related dental supplies. Dentsply creates and provides artificial teeth, and also manufactures prophylaxis utilized in gum disease prevention, anesthetics, and tooth polishers.

4) Zimmer Biomet

Established in 1927 with a revenue (dental) of $336 million in 2015

After 88 years of operations, Zimmer Dental merged with Biomet 3i and formed a new company Zimmer Biomet Dental. Zimmer Biomet has produced dental implants for over 20 years and produces regenerative materials including membranes, collagen wound care, and bone graft substitutes. The company also manufactures dental tools and instruments.

Apart from the core dental segment, Zimmer Biomet designs, manufactures, and markets orthopedic products including dental prosthesis and artificial joints. The organization has a presence in over 25 countries and sells its products in more than 100 countries.

5) BioHorizons

Established in 1994 with a revenue of $130 million in 2014

Research carried out at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, in 1994, led to the founding of BioHorizons. Eleven years later, Henry Schein, a major global provider of healthcare services and products made a vital investment in the company in 2013. BioHorizons uses comprehensive scientific research to produce innovative and high-quality products including implant solutions and regenerative materials used for bone grafting.

Why The Top 5 Implant Companies Matter

The five most reputable implant manufacturers discussed above are the most trusted and readily available brands. The difference between these five and the smaller companies is that the top five have carried out significant scientific research related to the quality and durability of their implant system components.

So when you are deciding on your implant dentist, inquire about their choice of implant manufacturer and the level of research carried out by the preferred manufacturer.

Easy replacement is another screening factor to keep in mind. It’s not only easier to get a replacement of a component made by one of the top dental implant manufacturers but also find a dentist who knows the implant system and how to replace a component—no matter where you are in the world.