Another Way To Customize Your Smile

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 13 Jul 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Millennium Research Group (MRG) has conducted a detailed analysis of the US dental implant market in its US Markets for Dental Implants 2007 report. The analysis reveals that custom- milled final abutments represent the fastest-growing segment in the US dental implant market in 2006 with unit volumes growing over 100% from the previous year.

Custom-milled final abutments, typically obtained from a specialized dental lab, are becoming rapidly adopted by dentists due to the improved functional and aesthetic benefits afforded by a product generated with computer-aided design and computer-aiding manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology.

"CAD/CAM technology is meant to facilitate the manufacture of final abutments that are easier to place and offer a better fit," says Chris Shutsa, Senior Analyst at MRG. "Ease of placement in particular is appealing to both patient and dentist because it reduces chair-time for final restoration of a dental implant making it more convenient for the patient and more profitable for the dentist."

The US Markets for Dental Implants 2007 report includes coverage of key industry competitors, including 3i, Astra Tech, Bicon, BioHorizons, Camlog, Dentsply-Friadent-Ceramed, Lifecore Biomedical, Nobel Biocare, Straumann, and Zimmer Dental.

About Custom-Milled Final Abutments

Most dental implants are restored with a final abutment-a small metal post that protrudes above the gum line and eventually retains the prosthetic tooth. Traditionally, dental implant manufacturers supply pre-fabricated final abutments to match their dental implants. Now available, however, are custom- milled final abutments, which are not pre-fabricated and are designed and produced only after the dental implant has been placed. To produce a custom- milled abutment, typically, the dentist takes an impression of the dental implant site and sends the information to a specialized lab for production. Because the exact depth, angle, and orientation of the dental implant can be determined from the impression sent to the lab, the subsequently produced custom-milled final abutment provides an excellent fit with the dental implant, ultimately resulting in and aesthetically improved final restoration.

About Millennium Research Group

Millennium Research Group (http://www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc. company (http://www.DecisionResources.com), is the global authority on medical technology market intelligence and a leading provider of strategic information to the health care sector. Focused solely on the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, the company provides its clients with the benefits of its specialized industry expertise through published reports and customized consulting services.

Millennium Research Group
http://www.MRG.net