The dental implant market is valued at over $4.5 billion and continues to grow, with new companies entering the industry, eager to establish their reputation. As implantologists, we constantly seek the latest advancements in technology. However, the overwhelming number of brands can make choosing the right implant system challenging.
With so many options available, how do we find the perfect fit for our practice? Here are a few essential factors to consider when selecting a dental implant supplier to ensure long-term success.
Keywords: Dental implants, Dental implant supplier, Implant systems, Dental implant brands, Dental implant types, Implant guide.
Dental Implant Market
Over 2,000 dental implant companies compete daily to sustain their place in this growing market. By 2032, the market is projected to grow from $5.1 billion to $8.17 billion, with a CAGR of 6.9%.
Implant manufacturers are continually improving their implant designs, surface technologies, surgical drills, and prosthetic components to enhance outcomes. Many implantologists tend to stick to a few trusted brands based on their mentors’ recommendations, cost-effectiveness, and availability. For example, popular brands are Sraumann, Nobel Biocare and Ossteum, Zimmer, BioHorizon, Dentsply Sirona, Megagen have gained traction over the years. Other popular choices include Adin, Noris and BioLine that provide a budget-friendly alternative without compromising on the quality.
However, each company has a unique approach that impacts the longevity and success of implant-supported prostheses. Since no universal guidelines exist for selecting an implant system, it is essential to remain aware of marketing tactics and focus on clinically validated criteria.
Guide to Finding the Right Implant System for Your Practice
Implant material:
The primary materials used in dental implants include titanium alloys, zirconium dioxide ceramics, and tantalum alloys 2. Understanding the alloy composition is crucial, as different metal grades affect osseointegration, strength, and biocompatibility.
It is important to know from which alloy the implant body is made, as it assures whether all the necessary characteristics have been met. It’s best not to get swayed away with the fancy alloy name but to understand how each additional metal in the alloy or grade of the titanium makes the difference.
Implant Surface modification:
The key operational properties of dental implants, such as osseointegration and biocompatibility, primarily depend on the characteristics of their surface layer, as this is the part of the implant that interacts with biological tissues, including bone and gingiva.
Various surface modification techniques, such as plasma treatment, UV treatment, bioactive material coatings, and magnetic sputtering, may seem complex but play a significant role in determining the final characteristics of the implant surface.
While every implant manufacturer claims to have achieved the optimal method for osseointegration, the field continues to evolve. Therefore, selecting an implant system requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical principles and experimental studies to make an informed choice.
Implant Sizes:
The selection of implant size depends on the patient’s anatomical factors. However, not all implant manufacturers offer the full range of implant sizes required for various clinical cases. It is essential to be aware of the available implant sizes provided by different implant systems to avoid limiting the selection process to a single manufacturer’s offerings. Ensuring compatibility with a variety of implant systems allows for greater flexibility and optimal patient outcomes.
Implant Design:
Implant design affects bone-implant contact (BIC), occlusal force distribution, and long-term stability. Key aspects include:
- Thread design (pitch, depth, face angle)
- Prosthetic connection type
- Implant shape suited to bone quality and loading conditions
A well-designed implant system should offer customisable solutions tailored to individual patient needs.
Prosthetic components:
When evaluating an implant system, prosthodontists prioritise several factors, including the availability of prosthetic components, variety of prosthetic connections, material choices, compatibility with different implant systems, and ease of prosthesis design. Additionally, CAD/CAM compatibility is a crucial consideration, as it enhances precision and customisation in prosthetic fabrication.
Each implant system offers unique prosthetic options, making it imperative to conduct a thorough assessment before selection. Understanding the range of available prosthetic components allows for greater adaptability in treatment planning and improved patient outcomes.
Company Support:
A reliable technical support team can be a game-changer for implant success. Beyond sales, representatives should be well-versed in:
- Implant design features & scientific research
- Clinical indications & contraindications
- Availability of components & future advancements
A well-informed sales representative should provide detailed insights into the manufacturing process, frequency of component availability, and future advancements in the system. Choosing an implant system with reliable company support ensures better clinical decision-making and long-term success for both practitioners and patients.
“An Implant company support team has the power to help dentists grow their practice. Choose wisely”
Factors to think of while choosing the ‘A ‘team:
- A technical support team to assist implant surgeries and prosthetic workflows.
- Clinical reliability and long-term success: companies that substantiate all claimed properties with scientific studies.
- Consistent availability of the implants and components.
- Open communication with the R&D team fosters continuous improvement, leading to better, more advanced implant solutions.
- Implants should be versatile and adaptable, allowing for seamless integration with various dental systems and technologies.
- Collaborative relationship between dental professionals and sales representatives ensures ongoing feedback, product refinement, and enhanced clinical outcomes.
- Compatibility with CAD/CAM software and digital workflows is essential for achieving precision, efficiency, and superior prosthetic outcomes.
Cost effectiveness
Brands come with their own pricing list. Patient affordability, socioeconomic area where the clinic is set, and financial dependence are a few factors to be considered. I usually suggest keeping multiple brands with different ranges of price points without compromising on implant properties. This could assist in making an informed decision while explaining all the available options to patients. Also, using compatible and universal brand components might help in cost cutting.
How Smart Implant Selection Helps Build a Stronger Practice
It is essential for dental professionals to stay well-informed about the latest advancements in the field and communicate what’s essential to patients.
With trends such as the growing demand for quick-fix solutions, same-day prostheses, and the introduction of innovative methodologies aimed at achieving superior clinical outcomes, it becomes the responsibility of practitioners to ensure their knowledge and techniques remain up to date. Staying current not only enables optimal patient care but also allows professionals to remain competitive and effective in an ever-evolving industry.
Implant selection should be based on clinical evidence, professional expertise, and long-term success—not just marketing strategies.
The Global Dentists’ Pool – A New Way to Support Dental Innovation Progress
The Global Dentists’ Pool (GDP), founded by Dr. Namrata Upadhyay, creates a collaborative space for implantologists and dental companies to work together in advancing dental technology.
For Dental Companies:
With KOLs, early adopters and access to day-to-day clinicians from 28 countries, GDP provides companies with:
- Honest, unbiased clinician insights through global product validation surveys.
- Access to premium dental advisors & Dental tech freelance expertise for clinical, regulatory, and marketing projects.
Instead of hiring multiple non-dental consultants, GDP offers a streamlined one-expert solution with professionals who understand both clinical practice and MedTech innovation.
For Dentists:
Joining GDP allows dental professionals to:
✅ Share expertise and feedback with dental companies. ✅ Influence the future of product design and innovation. ✅ Gain opportunities to collaborate on product development and clinical research.
This seamless access of industry-to-dentist collaboration ensures that patient care remains the top priority while bridging gaps in the dental product industry and clinicians.
Disclaimers
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and not necessarily shared by NamNR Pro.
References:
- Dental Implants Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Titanium, Zirconium, and Others), By Design (Tapered Implants and Parallel Walled Implants), By Type (Endosteal Implants, Subperiosteal Implants, and Transosteal Implants), By End-user (Solo Practices, DSO/Group Practices, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032. (https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/dental-implants-market-100443).
- Sotova C, Yanushevich O, Kriheli N, Grigoriev S, Evdokimov V, Kramar O, Nozdrina M, Peretyagin N, Undritsova N, Popelyshkin E, et al. Dental Implants: Modern Materials and Methods of Their Surface Modification. Materials. 2023; 16(23):7383. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16237383.
- Mishra, Arti & Khatri, Manish & Bansal, Mansi & Rehhan, Mohd & Gaind, Sakshi & Khan, Shamiya. (2023). Changing trends in implant designs: A review. IP International Journal of Periodontology and Implantology. 8. 117-123. 10.18231/j.ijpi.2023.024.
Author information
Dr Alpa Newaskar
Dr Alpa Newaskar is a practising oral and maxillofacial prosthodontist and implantologist; she is a celebrated aesthetic dentist specialising in TMJ management. Her captivating paper & poster presentations at global dental conferences have been instrumental in shaping her profile as a dental clinician and educator. As a dental education enthusiast, she offers her clinical experiences and ideas to train professionals in dental companies, helping them drive innovation in this healthcare niche.
Dental Yoda 