Straumann Bone Level Implant Interview

The new Straumann Bone Level Implant combines innovative concepts with established design elements. It was developed in close collaboration with a team of international experts, including leading surgeons, prosthodontists, dentists and dental technicians, as well as the ITI (International Team for Implantology). The product is the result of one of the most intensive scientific programs of pre-clinical and clinical trials. To date, more than 1500 implants have been clinically documented.

We spoke to Arjan Haverhals, Vice President of Straumann’s Prosthetics Business Unit, who is responsible for the development of the range of prosthetic components of the Straumann Bone Level Implant.

Mr. Haverhals, the Straumann Bone Level Implant is complemented by a comprehensive prosthetic portfolio to address every indication. Which components does it include?

Let me start with the Temporary Abutment (to right), which is made of a polymer material and is suitable for simple, chairside modifications. The polymer is tooth colored for esthetic solutions even for temporary restorations, while the titanium reinforcement provides stability and precision. The Temporary Abutment comes in extended sizes for higher flexibility.

Now, let me tell you about the Anatomic Abutment (to right), which has been designed with an anatomic margin – for an esthetic emergence profile – and a prefabricated chamfer to ensure perfect fit for casted copings. The abutment is oval to resemble the natural shape of the tooth. This component is available in two gingival heights (2 and 3.5 mm) and two angles (0° and 15°), and offers maximum flexibility.

In addition, we have two Gold Abutments to ensure an exact adaptation to the soft tissue; one abutment for crowns (to right) and one for bars. Both are cast-to solutions for bridges, screw retained bridges and customized bars, and they both have an anchored modeling aid which guarantees for precise wax modeling and the low cuff height allows for an esthetic solution even with a thin mucosa. The Gold Abutments are equipped with a wide plateau for safe cast-to procedures.

And finally I would like to mention briefly the LOCATOR® Abutment, the Cementable Abutment and the Abutments for bars as well as the CAD/CAM individualized abutments made from Zirconia or Titanium (right).

You say that Straumann’s Bone Level Implant line is backed by an unprecedented success record. What is the basis for this statement?

In principle we have taken the best features of existing products and integrated them into the Straumann Bone Level Implant prosthetic range for esthetic, flexible and easy solutions. In other words: the whole implant line was developed from a “prosthetic viewpoint”, since we believe that future developments in implantology will be driven by prosthetics, which are increasingly critical to the long term success of an implant restoration.

The portfolio includes a LOCATOR® Abutment, which provides a convenient, flexible attachment for full dentures. A range of male connectors with different retention strengths is available and the self-aligning feature of LOCATOR® allows for restorations of non-parallel implants with an angulation of up to 40°. This abutment therefore meets even the most demanding requirements for flexibility and convenience.

A further example is the Cementable Abutment (see below), which makes the prosthetic restoration almost identical to restoring a natural tooth stump. The chamfer of the abutment ensures that cast copings fit perfectly. This solution enables the dentist to take impressions at the level of the abutment or the implant, which caters for a broad range of user preferences.

We also offer a CAD/CAM service for individualized prosthetics in Zirconia or Titanium for high end, optimum esthetics.

Finally, we offer highly flexible abutments for standard bar-retained dentures (right). These can easily be shortened and a 15° cone offers implant divergence flexibility up to 30°. The abutment is suitable for soldered and laser-welded bar constructions. Once again, simplicity and flexibility were the principle considerations driving the design of these products.

Mr. Haverhals, Straumann has emphasized its collaboration with dental practitioners in the developing the Bone Level Implant. Was this also the case for the prosthetics?

Absolutely. In keeping with our core belief that “customers are our inspiration“, we conducted customer surveys and took the requirements and suggestions of numerous surgeons, prosthodontists and dental technicians into consideration when we developed the prosthetic components. The focus has always been on user friendliness and security. One of the most important design features to emerge from this is the ‘feel the fit’ concept.

What is meant by ‘feel the fit’?

The user has to feel confident that he is working with a secure system. Our new CrossFit Connection is a good example here: firstly, its conical portion ensures lasting mechanical stability and an extremely precise, tight fit. Its four positioning options and anti-rotation guard facilitate handling and ensure correct abutment positioning. The abutment simply turns and clicks into place – literally enabling the user to feel that it has fitted correctly into the right position. This confidence is particularly important in small spaces with little visibility.

How can the reader picture the development of abutments?

First of all, we talk to practitioners to understand what they expect from abutments with regard to functionality, dimensions, materials etc. Then we develop and validate the design. After a positive appraisal, the abutment is made and then subjected to extensive quality testing. Only when this has been successfully completed can full production begin.

Successful soft tissue management plays a significant part in achieving esthetic results. How does the implant system support this process?

Optimal soft tissue management is achieved thanks to the fact that various prosthetic components have been designed with consistent emergence profiles. For instance, the healing abutment, the temporary abutment and the abutments for the final restoration all have identical emergence profiles. This has several benefits that facilitate temporary and final restorations: the soft tissue is minimally affected and is ideally stabilized and formed right from the start. Apart from the esthetic advantages, there is also the benefit of no pain for the patient: because the emergence profiles are the same, there is no pinching or compression of the soft tissue when the abutments are changed. Thus, the soft tissue is gently formed from the start and is prepared for the final restoration.

Mr. Haverhals, the Straumann® Bone Level Implant with its abutments seems to be – as usual for Straumann – a sophisticated and practical system. Initial responses from clinics confirm this impression. We thank you for the interview.

Further information

More details about the Straumann® Bone Level Implant are published in the edition of STARGET, Straumann’s customer magazine, and at www.straumann.com.

Source: Straumann Holding AG, Peter Merian-Weg 12, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)61 965 11 11 / Fax: +41 (0)61 965 11 01
E-mail: corporate.communication@straumann.com
Homepage: www.straumann.com