Straumann's new-generation small-diameter soft-tissue-level implant enters full market release

At the Academy of Osseointegration's annual meeting in Phoenix (USA), Straumann announced that its new-generation, small-diameter, soft tissue-level implant is now available to customers in the US, Europe and Australia.

"This implant is the result of continued innovation, development and refinement to meet medical needs and customer requirements," said Beat Spalinger, President & CEO of Straumann. "NNC brings together all our experience in design, technology, and clinical application, combining new and established features to enhance convenience and open up new treatment possibilities. Although it is a product of progressive development over many years, we chose to introduce it prudently through a controlled market release – in the true Straumann way. Having successfully concluded this phase, we are now making it available on a much wider basis."

Extended treatment options
Small diameter implants are used for limited inter-dental spaces or narrow bone ridges. The NNC is indicated for a variety of uses, including: single-tooth replacement and multiple-tooth replacement with bridges and fixed or removable over-dentures. Being a soft-tissue-level design, the new implant facilitates soft-tissue management and can be placed in a one-step procedure that avoids a second surgical intervention. It is thus designed to simplify treatment and reduces the number of dental visits. The NNC complements Straumann's small-diameter bone-level implant – no other company is able to offer small-diameter implants made of Roxolid for both soft-tissue-level and bone-level applications.

Roxolid is the key
Roxolid has been the key to the development of the NNC. The material's physical strength has enabled Straumann to develop a small diameter implant with an internal rather than an external connection. The implant-abutment interface is designed to provide an excellent seal and distribute the biting pressure optimally. It also offers great flexibility for prosthetic angulation.

The SLActive surface
SLActive is one of the best investigated implant surfaces on the market. A multitude of studies have provided scientific evidence endorsing its remarkable properties^1,2 including a marked reduction of healing times,² improved bone formation³ and excellent survival rates.⁴

Handling simplicity with the CrossFit connection and new transfer piece
Implant dentistry involves working with tiny, high-precision components in restricted, poorly visible spaces. The CrossFit connection, which is used in Straumann's Bone Level range, is an ingenious solution to this problem because it guides the abutment precisely into the correct position and enables the user literally to 'feel the fit'. In addition to offering a variety of four positions, the CrossFit connection safeguards against abutment rotation.

The NNC implant is complemented by a broad portfolio of surgical and standard prosthetic components. It also features a new convenient transfer piece, which holds the implant in the surgeon's drill and is then easily detached from the implant after insertion in the jawbone.

One system, one instrument set
The NNC supersedes Straumann's existing narrow-neck soft-tissue-level implant, which is made of titanium, has an external hex design, and is only indicated for singletooth replacement. The new implant has been integrated into Straumann's Dental Implant System which includes a full range of Soft Tissue and Bone Level options and covers all indications.⁵ In spite of this, the procedures and instruments are the same and only one surgical kit is required.

About Straumann
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Straumann (SIX: STMN) is a global leader in implant, restorative and regenerative dentistry. In collaboration with leading clinics, research institutes and universities, Straumann researches, develops and manufactures dental implants, instruments, prosthetics and tissue regeneration products for use in tooth replacement and restoration solutions or to prevent tooth loss. Straumann currently employs approximately 2450 people worldwide and its products and services are available in more than 70 countries through its broad network of distribution subsidiaries and partners.

References
1.Straumann SLActive Scientific Evidence Fifth Edition, 2010
2.Oates TW, Valderrama P, Bischof M, Nedir R, Jones A, Simpson J, Toutenburg H, Cochran DL. Enhanced implant stability with a chemically modified SLA surface: a randomized pilot study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2007;22:755-760.
3.Lang NP, Salvi GE, Huynh-Ba G, Ivanovski S, Donos N, Bosshardt DD. Early osseointegration to hydrophilic and hydrophobic implant surfaces in humans. Clin Oral Implants Res 2011;22:349-356.
4.Ganeles J, Zoellner A, Jackowski J, ten Bruggenkate C, Beagle J, Guerra F. Immediate and early loading of Straumann implants with a chemically modified surface (SLActive) in the posterior mandible and maxilla: 1-year results from a prospective multicenter study. Clin Oral Implants Res 2008;19:1119-1128.
5.From single-tooth to fully edentulous