Innovative clipping mechanism revolutionizes dental implant technology

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 28 Nov 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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The screwless dental implant system that connects implant and suprastructure with a novel clipping mechanism has been recognized with a major award: Its designer - Prof. Dr. Manfred Peters, head of Division 1, Mechanics and Acoustics at Germany's Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, the national metrology institute providing scientific and technical services - has won the Braunschweig Chamber of Commerce's 2005 Technology Transfer Prize. Heraeus Kulzer will launch the implant system under the "IQ:NECT" brand 2006 in Germany, with global roll-out until 2010.

Fatigue of material and resulting effects such as loose or broken screws and unintended malformations are among the complications that affect about three percent of patients in Germany who were treated with one the approximately 100 different conventional implant systems.

Among the causes are heightened mechanical tension which can be created by the interplay of multiple elements connected by screws in classical implant systems.

"The existing systems often require time-consuming and complicated treatment, especially for patients who have several implants. The quality of this work depends strongly on the dentist's and dental technician's level of knowledge and experience," explains Prof. Peters.

Easy, safe and stable

Between 1997 and 1998, the physicist and engineer developed a unique way of connecting implant and suprastructure: A clipping mechanism without interior screws that is constructed in a rotation-safe manner and topped off with a classically cemented crown. The new implant system consists of just a few pieces and ensures error-free imprints - even for adjacent teeth pointing in different directions.

Tested successfully in controlled studies

The "clipping system" has been tested successfully in studies with more than 250 patients and further developed for market readiness by Prof. Dr. M. Peters, Dr. Haselhuhn and Prof. Dr. M. Augthun (both of the Clinic for Dental Prosthetics at the Aachen University Clinic), Prof. Dr. mult. H. Spiekermann (head of the Clinic for Dental Prosthetics at the Aachen University Clinic) and Heraeus Kulzer. The technology transfer was concluded with the CE-certification which was issued in June of last year.

Heraeus Kulzer, innovation leader in the dental medicine sector, will enter the implants growth market for the first time with the launch of the new implant system under the "IQ:NECT" brand. "The new implant system has excellent potential for growth. All users benefit to the same degree because IQ:NECT speeds up the process while improving stability and aesthetics," explains Maria-Johanna Schaecher, head of Hereaus Kulzer's Implants Division.

Hereaus Kulzer is a global leader in dental medicine and technology

- globally active company in dental medicine and technology, headquartered in Hanau, Germany

- complete provider of denture materials, tools and handling systems

- Business areas:

(1) Dentistry Division: e.g. impression materials, composites, fissure sealants, bonding systems, plasters, cement, bone augmentation materials, anesthetics
(2) Fixed Prosthetics Division: alloys, dental ceramics, electroforming, prosthetic teeth, plasters, investment materials, dental tools
(3) Medical Division: bone cement, drug delivery systems, biomaterials
(4) Removables Division: artificial teeth, synthetic materials and veneering materials

- 2004 revenues of €378 million, about 1,600 employees worldwide - extensive service and training programs

- part of the globally active precious metals and technology company Hereaus (Hanau, Germany)

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