Straumann Diversifying?

posted in Dental Implant News, Straumann

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Last week, Straumann, a global leader in implant dentistry and oral tissue regeneration, announced the acquisition of etkon, a privately-owned company in conventional and implant-based tooth restoration using CAD/CAM technology, for approximately EUR $100 million.

What is the rationale behind this deal? Straumann already has a growing presence in the CAD-CAM implant prosthetic arena with its individualized titanium and ceramic abutment service CARES, so why add on etkon, which has a growing presence in conventional tooth restoration, as opposed to just dental implant restoration? Is it possible that the increasing competition in the dental implant industry has caused Straumann to look to other areas for growth or is etkon merely a platform for the company to further increase the market penetration of its implant and regeneration products?

Straumann’s President and CEO Gilbert Achermann, had this to say about the purchase of etkon:

“We believe that future success in the tooth restoration industry will be increasingly driven by CAD-CAM prosthetics. etkon gives us an immediate sizeable presence in this area and makes us the only company in the dental sector that offers surgical, restorative and regenerative solutions - from bone augmentation and tissue regeneration, through implants and prosthetics, to individualized crowns and bridges. Our two companies are a superb fit – not just in terms of products and services but also with regard to company culture.”

What are your thoughts?

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9 Responses to “ Straumann Diversifying? ”

  • JOHN ACKLEY March 6th, 2007

    I am amused that the president of Straumann thinks that they are the only implant company that runs from soup to nuts. What about Nobel with there procera system and Nobel guide etc.? What about 3i with there Architech PSR. What about Neoss and ther deal with KAVO? Did I forget about Dentsply and their Friadent implants, not to mention the rest of their empire (Ceramco porcelains, alloys, denture products and a large stake in Materialise). It seems to mean that quite a few people have shown up at the party! My feeling is that they are all trying to find a way to get into the CAD/CAM restorative implant market that Atlantis Components has carved out for itself. Unfortunately for all of them being able to design and mill abutments effectively requires alot more than good systems and a strategic alliance or ownership of a cad/cam manufacturer. The real key here is an excellent software package to create these designs and a team of experts to support those designs. In my opinion they’ll be chasing Atlantis for a long time. On the bright side competition is always a good thing. I think this development will only benefit the consumer in the long run. By the way as long as ITI fixtures continue to be placed close at or about the tissue level no amount of cad/cam technology is going to make the restorations look like teeth instead of implant crowns. Have you ever seen a round root on a tooth at the CEJ? Go low and restore it with an Atlantis abutment and a beautiful crown and you can give your patients a tooth, that’s what they came in for.

  • Albert Hall March 9th, 2007

    They will be chasing Nobel!By manufacturing componentes Nobel compatible and others.
    It does not show its philosophy ,but the market press Straumann to do it…..
    They want to close the gap!

  • Albert Hall March 9th, 2007

    or they are thinking at any Nobel Biocare changes….because the vertical growth of Nobel must stop!

  • MA March 12th, 2007

    Actually the president was referring to the complete Straumann portfolio - including products like Emdogain and their bone grafting material. Nobel has procera but do they have regenerative? 3i has some regenerative but do they have the ability to do copings, etc? Nope to either one.

  • RookieDDS May 25th, 2007

    Hi,

    I am about to get my license in a few weeks and would like to ask a question. I would like to restore dental implants and possibly place them as well after some time. I had some experince with implants while at school. In my school we mainly used Nobel Biocare. Now that I am out in the real world, I am amazed and lost in the number of implant systems and companies that make them. One of my friends insists that Astra system is the best because “it gives the best osseointegration results”. Another one swears by Straumann but says that Straumann is not the best for anterior teeth. Any advice or comments on either system would be much appreciated. Thanks.

  • ElieVictor May 26th, 2007

    DEAR ROOKIE DDS
    NOBEL BIOCARE SELEC GROOVY IS THE BEST FOR ANTERIOR TEETH AS ESTHETIC AND NICE EASY PROSHETIC RESULTS -I USE STRAUMAN ITI, 1.5mm COLLAR SMOOTH PART ,FOR POSTERIORS IN 1 SURGICAL TIME-
    I HAVE NO PERSONNAL EXPERIENCE WITH ASTRA BUT MANY OF MY COLLEGUES USE IT WITH SUCCESS.
    GOOD LUCK
    REGARDS

  • eric dennie July 18th, 2007

    i am amused by all the debate but as a potential investor in shares of dental implant companies,there is clearly not much agreement on WHO makes the best dental implants!any ideas from people inside the industry(clinicians only please),eric

  • steve c July 19th, 2007

    Implant dentistry is constsntly evolving. There are many different implant systems currently on the market and all systems work, that is, they integrate successfully. Among the various systems there are differences in surface treatments but in general they are all now rough or textured to encourage more rapid and greater percentage bone attachment. Greater differences are found in the implant/abutment connection and this can have significant impact on bone remodeling around the neck of the implant. This is one area where Astra Tech seems to stand out with a better product resulting in less bone loss at the neck.

    The four or so major players seem to generate the greatest press because of more cash to spend on R&D and marketing. From an investor’s perspective this may be just as important as which presently has the best product.

    I don’t beleive there is one single best implant system out there. The system with a slight edge today may not have that edge a year or two from now, and this relates back to the constantly evolving status of implant technology.

  • sidney topol June 21st, 2008

    where can one purchase emdogain in USA

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