Straumann

Simply doing more

Straumann is a global leader in implant and restorative dentistry and oral tissue regeneration. In collaboration with leading clinics, research institutes and universities, Straumann researches, develops, and manufactures dental implants, instruments, prosthetics, tissue-regeneration products, and digital dental solutions. With its corporate headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and North American headquarters in Andover, Massachusetts, Straumann’s products and services are available in more than 70 countries. Having pioneered many of the most influential technologies and techniques in dentistry,  the company’s mission is to enable dental professionals to restore their patients’ dental function.

The history of Straumann spans more than half a century, beginning with the foundation of a research institute bearing the name of its founder, Dr. Ing Reinhard Straumann. Between 1954 and 1970, the company specialized in alloys used in timing instruments and in materials testing. A breakthrough in the use of non-corroding alloys for treating bone fractures prompted Dr. Fritz Straumann, the founder’s son, to enter the fields of orthopedics and dental implantology.

Between 1970 and 1990, Straumann became a leading manufacturer of dental implants. Straumann’s contributions to the field focus around the company’s core principles of simplicity, precision and innovation.  Straumann implants are designed for optimal tissue response, reduced healing time, and maximum stability.

In 1980, Straumann established a partnership with the International Team for Implantology (ITI), an independent medical and scientific network of internationally renowned specialists from a wide range of dental fields. This partnership represents a combination of research expertise and industrial know-how that has become an important resource for clinicians around the world. ITI unites dentists, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, biologists, biochemists, metallurgists, physicists, and dental technicians who share the goal of advancing techniques and treatment options in implant dentistry and related tissue regeneration for the well-being of patients.

Innovation

Straumann has produced a number of innovations in the field of implantology, including the scientifically proven SLActive® implant surface which has become the gold standard in implant technology. SLActive® surface chemistry accelerates the osseointegration process and has reduced healing times from 6-8 weeks to 3-4 weeks. This reduction makes implant treatment more predictable and has shortened treatment times.

“The development of SLActive® underscores our commitment to providing clinicians and patients with greater reliability in early treatment. Building on our tradition of innovation, we focused on understanding the biologics of the healing process to improve the surface chemistry of the implant and activate the human body’s natural healing process,” said Vice President of Marketing, Patrick Kuster.

Last year, the firm introduced introduced Roxolid™. The company notes that it is the first titanium and zirconium alloy developed for dental implantology to improve the strength and healing properties of small-diameter dental implants. It is shown to be 50% stronger than pure titanium. In combination with SLActive®, Roxolid™ promotes osteoblast cell growth, allowing for improved osseointegration.

In 1998, Straumann entered the promising field of oral tissue regeneration. Today, Straumann provides a complete portfolio of oral tissue regenerative solutions for various treatment situations—whether saving a patient’s tooth or replacing it with a dental implant. Straumann Emdogain™ is a protein-based gel designed to promote predictable regeneration of lost periodontal hard and soft tissue to help save and stabilize teeth. Derived from enamel matrix proteins, Straumann® Emdogain™ provides the catalyst for the regeneration of cementum on the root of the affected tooth, thus providing a foundation for all necessary tissues, including cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, associated with a true functional attachment.

“Straumann Emdogain^TM stimulates both, the hard and soft tissues of the periodontium at the same time,” Dr. David Cochran.

Vital bone tissue is the key component needed to build a foundation for success—whether it’s the osseointegration of a dental implant or the functional re-growth of periodontal structures. Straumann® Bone Graft Solutions provide clinicians with a choice of quality products designed to support the regeneration of the patient’s own vital bone.

Straumann AlloGraft is the bone graft most similar to a patient’s own bone and provides a strong matrix to regenerate new bone. Straumann has allied with LifeNet Health®, the worldwide leading tissue bank and organ-procurement organization, to introduce Straumann AlloGraft, which includes a broad range of high-quality allograft products.

Precision

The CrossFit™ Connection was designed to ensure a secure and precise fit between the Straumann bone-level implant and authentic Straumann bone-level abutments. No other manufacturer has the CrossFit™ Connection, which is engineered to support the distribution of anti-rotational and bending forces. Four internal grooves ensure precise positioning of prosthetic components, and a cylinder connection supports mechanical stability. The CrossFit™ Connection is the result of applying the know-how and benefits from the Straumann Morse Taper connection to the needs of a connection located at bone level. The self-guiding, internal prosthetic connection has an optimized design for long-term mechanical stability under all loading conditions and the internal cone of 15 degrees allows for greater flexibility in prosthetic treatments.

Simplicity

Implant dentistry demands a high level of skill and requires strong understanding of the myriad surgical and restorative options available. Straumann designs its implant and restorative systems to cut through the complexity and deliver products that are easy to use and implement. For example, the company makes one surgical kit and one restorative kit for both tissue-level and bone-level procedures, saving customers time, money, and inconvenience. The all-in-one sets provide all the components for implant restorations so dentists aren’t going through the hassle and added cost of buying parts one-by-one. And, there’s no easier restoration than the Straumann® Solid Abutment.

Straumann’s implants can be used in a variety of surgical procedures and are compatible with a wide range of prosthetic options. Today, Straumann offers the most extensively documented, clinically validated, and practice-proven implant system on the market.

“I stay with Straumann because of the simplicity and the compelling body of science behind their products. They’re a very conscientious company, and they don’t bring their products to market without thoroughly testing them,” said Dr. Greg Phillips, periodontist, Columbus, Indiana.

Advancing digital dentistry

In 2007, Straumann became an emerging leader in CAD/CAM tooth restoration through the acquisition of etkon. Today, digitalization is impacting all aspects of dentistry as digital workflows are replacing labor-intensive analogue processes, shortening treatment times, reducing the risk of error, and improving quality. Straumann is committed to bringing these new technologies to dental professionals around the world and to connecting them across disciplines. Straumann believes digital solutions in implantology will ultimately translate into increased acceptance of implant treatment by lowering treatment costs, increasing convenience, and improving patient comfort.

“We believe that digital is the future, but that the basis remains the same: collaboration and partnership will continue to pave the way to success,” said Meinhard Schmidt, Senior Vice President, Head of Business Unit Prosthetics.

Straumann® CARES® Digital Solutions is an integrated system of products for general dentists, surgical specialists, and laboratory technicians that improves treatment planning, delivers a superior prosthetic result, and ultimately delivers great value to the patient. From digital impression-taking using intra-oral scanning, the computerized production of prosthetics using state-of-the-art CAM processing to state-of-the-art guided surgery software and instruments, Straumann® CARES® Digital Solutions enables an interdisciplinary team of dental professionals to collaborate and restore dental implants economically and confidently and produce an optimal result for patients.

“Straumann has thoroughly analyzed the flow of treatment between the GP, surgeon, and the dental laboratory to determine where analogue processes can be made digital, for the end benefit of all involved. We know that dentists want complexity removed from their daily work, and digitization allows us to help streamline treatment and communication among the entire dental team,” said Martin Dymek, Regional Head, North America.

The importance of intra-oral scanning

Predictable, accurate impressions and bite registrations have always been one of the more difficult procedures to perform consistently. A host of variables present daily challenges, making conventional impression-making an inexact science. Intra-oral scanning obviates the process of conventional impression-making by enabling the dentist to create a chairside 3-D image of the patient’s teeth using an optical scanner inside the mouth. Therefore, Straumann has partnered with CADENT iTero™ to offer customers superior scanning technology and released new software that connects iTero™ users with the Straumann CAD/CAM system.

Helping labs grow their business

This year, Straumann introduced a new in-lab scanner and software that will incorporate tooth-borne and implant-borne restoration options. CAD/CAM solutions are used regularly by labs to produce crowns and bridges, but many labs are looking for a greater range of applications such as inlays, onlays, and customized abutments. The large range of applications and materials offered by Straumann CARES® CAD/CAM® is helping labs to grow their businesses by increasing versatility and efficiency.

Guided surgery and software

Straumann® CARES® Guided Surgery is designed to offer dentists a clear view of patient bone structure, the position of nerve and vascular structures, and the final implant location. It simplifies the planning and execution of complex procedures, which can reduce the risk of surgical and prosthetic complications. Straumann offers comprehensive software for 3-D diagnostics and implant planning, the capacity to fabricate surgical templates in the lab, as well as guided surgery implants and instruments.

Straumann® Guided Surgery is a flexible, open-software platform. To reduce cost and delivery time, local laboratories fabricate the radiopaque and surgical templates. Straumann’s system is the only one that gives the laboratory the flexibility to manufacture the surgical template. The open-software system allows labs to make templates for all major implant systems and surgeons can plan for all implant systems.

Leading the market with clinical excellence

Straumann has a unique position in the dental sector offering surgical, restorative, and regenerative solutions from bone augmentation to implants and from individualized crowns to bridges. A series of groundbreaking achievements have established Straumann as a leading innovator in implant dentistry. More dentists around the world are opting for Straumann's products as increasing numbers of patients are opting for dental implant procedures, as evidenced by the growth of implant volumes.

“We continue to support our established products with new long-term data as we bring our innovations to customers around the world,” said Jim Frontero, President, Sales. “These achievements, together with our service model have enabled us to maintain consistent growth over time.”