Millennium Research Group, the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, states that in the first quarter of 2006, the proportion of dental implants delivered in a
1-stage method was 60.8%, whereas immediate functional loading (IFL) was practiced in only 9.0% of all implant procedures.
Dental implants delivered in a 1-stage method simplify prosthetic restorations for the practitioner and allow the patient to leave the doctor's8217;s office with an aesthetic tooth
restoration in the first surgical visit's8212;a notable advantage over the traditional 2-stage approach. Implants delivered in a 2-stage delivery method employ two surgeries: one to place
the implant and another to place the abutment, with up to a 6-month time delay between the two surgeries.
IFL, a specialized technique of 1-stage delivery, also allows the placement of the anchor, the abutment, and the prosthetic all in one procedure. Unlike regular 1-stage delivery, however,
IFL provides the immediate benefit of a functional prosthetic. The reduced number of surgical visits associated with IFL makes it a preferred method of treatment for many patients.
Nonetheless, adoption of IFL has been sluggish because of practitioners's8217; fears of implant complications and failure. Some dental surgeons argue that excessive stress on the implant
before sufficient osseointegration of the implant in the jaw often leads to implant failure. 's8220;According to Marketrack, different specialties have varying opinions on the application
and usefulness of IFL, resulting in fluctuating penetrations of IFL by specialty,'s8221; said Kevin Flewwelling, Analyst at MRG. 's8220;It will be interesting to track how these
penetrations and the overall acceptance of IFL will change over the next several months.'s8221;
About Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed as permanent replacements for missing teeth. A dental implant is a metal post that is surgically placed into the bone under the gums. The purpose of the
placement into the bone is to encourage the integration of the dental implant's8212;the bone actually grows around the dental implant, making the tooth secure. A replacement tooth is
attached to the metal post by means of a final abutment.
About Millennium Research Group and Dental Marketrack
Millennium Research Group (www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc. company (www.DecisionResources.com), is
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.
MRG's8217;s new Dental Marketrack project surveys more than 300 implant practitioners on a quarterly basis about their use of implants and implant-related products from leading
competitors such as Nobel Biocare (NOBE), Straumann (STMN), 3i (BMET), and Zimmer Dental (ZMH). The survey sample is geographically segmented and comprised of general practitioners, oral
maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists.
For more information, contact:
Amy Krohn
Millennium Research Group
416-364-7776 x101
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