Astra Tech Dental Implants

OK, I'll chime in... only because I feel the need to enlighten all the implant reps on what's coming down the pike. As a credentialed technician and former implant rep myself who now operates a high end laboratory, I can attest to the fact that price and technology are definitely driving custom abutment business. Specifically, current technology enables us to produce Zir custom abutments at substantial savings over some of the implant manufacturers. Don't take my word for it: look what Biodenta, 3M, Sirona, ZirconZahn and others are doing in what is turning into THE next competitive implant war: custom abutments! Warranties, guarantees and the like are a mute point- my clients demand esthetics [and in this economy] are price driven; together I'm keeping their implant PM's up by providing state of the art abutments with all ceramic restorations, allowing them to keep their offices operating. The good operators know it's all becoming 'generic': while we do promote working within the system provided, we sometimes have to seek innovative solutions to accommodate the esthetic requirements of these cases. We understand the technicalities of the materials and our clients rely upon us to chose the best point source for the abutment, regardless of what their rep tells them. What's the point in all this? Simple: Open platform laboratory sourced milling of implant custom abutments is fast becoming recognized as a viable alternative to traditional implant manufacturer provided abutments. If you doubt this, do your research before trashing each other in front of your doctors!

 

Open platform sounds great but how do you obtain the correct specifications? Can't believe the implant companies willingly hand this over to you. One would assume Atlantis and the other major players have to submit design parameters/limitations to the FDA in order to make zirconia custom abutments in particular. Can't see how an individual lab could ever accomplish this, but maybe you can enlighten us.

But I agree that custom abutments are far and away better than stock components unless you are using screw retained prosthetics.

 

A thought -
Interesting how several top manufactures (Nobel and Astra) complain about Implant Direct and Dr. Niznick being a copy cat - 3rd rate system - yet a significant part of their (Nobel and Astra) overall strategy is to make copy cat abutments via Atlantis and Procera. Do these copycat abutments work - most of the time - do they utlize the same specs as the original manufacture - no. Certainly has the appearance of double talk.

 

As a manufacturer of custom zirconia abutments for over 16 implant systems including 3i whatever poster is telling me that the doctor is saving money using 3i's abutment to scan is correct if you are comparing 3i's custom abutment versus going to Atlantis. The 3i user may save $50 - that is not a savings.
Your prices are like everyone else for the abutments and the custom abutments way too much money for nothing significantly innovative - it does not save the doctors money using the 3i restorative system. I know I restore them for 3i users around the world.
As for the lab reps comment about aftermarket and 3rd party manufacturers I am one of those and also have an entire line of compatible implants and abutments for nobel active, replace, tissue level, and zimmer- $85-$99 for an implant and $169 for a custom zirconia abutment - $200+ less than Atlantis and $150+ than 3i - that is real savings.....

 

Not even sure where to go with this one. If your lab work is as good as your writing, you may be out of business soon.

 

I had trouble following that comment as well. Maybe it was Jerry posting in the middle of the night......................

As to custom abutments in general my understanding is that the FDA has a protocol that has to be established and followed for each platform offered. As to Atlantis, now being part of the Astra Zenica family, they are more than likely under even more pharma like mentality/scrutiny than before. If BP was more like Astra Zenica in corporate philosophy, I doubt we would be spilling oil spill in the Gulf. So making custom abutment with a philosophy more aligned with the likes of British Petroleum isn’t a very exciting model.

Admittedly, we now use nothing but Atlantis custom abutments and recently tried the transfer jigs now being offered as an option. The amount of chair time saved is significant and the additional cost is more than offset by the time and effort normally involved screwing around with stock components - our opinion anyway.

Clinically, what is the price of coming across as being professional? The transfer jigs make you look like a very slick operator and help eliminate errors............................

 

Interesting that you think they have a bad connection, I recieved an article from independent sources that indicate they have the best connection...Zipprich...It seems Astratech and Ankylos had the best connection causing bone to be retained. In my practice I see difference.

 

Have you ever tried bicon?

 

Both Bicon and Ankylos are supposed to be placed approximately 2 mm below the crest. Why would you want to do this if is wasn't necesary?

 

yes but because of the platform switch it only makes sense with bicon, here you get the tissue support from the bone, the only fda approved bacterial seaeld connection in the word and no marketing fake. My experience is great even my family is treated with it.

 

You have to be kidding. Bicon is one of the worst implants with regard to esthetics and complications that exists today. They have no rep support, and EVERY one of the doctors I know refuse to restore this implant, including labs. Surgeons have moved on from this mistake in droves. The only guys that place this are nearing retirement with little or no younger referral base. It's a non-factor at this point.

 

If you really follow the instructions at their website, what do you need a rep for to waste you time, if you need a rep they,ll send a rep or invite you to Boston for a hospitality day. The people are very supportive there.

 

You need some grammer lessons!

 

LOL! "Grammer" lessons, professor?

 

I'm guessing you haven't been placing these very long. Choose 5-10 specialists/restorative docs at random, ask their opinion, and you will have your answer. Ask yourself, why do they have almost 0 market share when they've been around as long as they have?

 

Easy to say, lack of marketing and it is always the question of want you want. They make profit look at Bio Horizons loosing billions of dollars, sorry for the Grammer but I´m not a native American.

 

Your experience is very limited to make such comments. You should get out into the real world of dentistry to see what dentists are actually doing. No wonder Bicon and other manufacturers are starting to not have reps when the likes of you are out trying to get hired. Grow up.

 

I'm very grown up, thanks, gainfully employed, and my experience is anything but limited. I've conferred with countless dentists (surgeons and restorative) over the years who are very much in the "real world" of dentistry who echo this sentiment, and if Bicon was a quality option, they would be pulling in much more market share and could afford to have sales representation, increasing their own bottom line. They aren't, and they can't. Trust me, it's not by choice. Even Niznick doesn't bother ripping off their designs and abutments; there's no point.

 

Seeking implant sales reps

I am looking to learn more about the implant market and would like to interview on the phone several implant sales reps. A very generous honorarium to compensate for your time (1 hour) will be provide. All information and your identity will be kept anonymous and confidential. Your input and insight into this market will be very much appreciated. I work for one of the most reputable firms doing market research.

If you are willing to chat, please shoot me an e-mail at GerardJohn444@gmail.com with contact info (email or phone).

Thank you in advance!

 

I know some of the bicon guys and belive me they are very happy about their business and their customers as well! It´s great for them to be underestimated so nobody tres to attack them.