Innovations with a bite

maxon enters the market for zirconium oxide ceramic dental implants

maxon has 15 years' experience developing and producing precise technical components using high-performance ceramic materials. The company is now employing its special expertise to manufacture innovative zirconium oxide ceramic implants for the dental market. This will not only benefit the suppliers of titanium implants with whom maxon is developing complete solutions - maxon CIM technology also means economical production, making ceramic implants available to a broad range of patients over the long-term.

As chewing involves enormous forces, most dental implants used to be made of titanium, as its elastic formability makes it resistant to the impact of the exerted forces. However, metal-free zirconium oxide is finding increasing favour with users and patients because of its special characteristics: this high-performance ceramic material is not only popular for aesthetic reasons, but also for its high wear resistance and tensile strength.

maxon is turning its attention to zirconium oxide by developing a particularly rough surface structure that effectively heals the implant through optimum osseointegration. High resilience also ensures the long-term success of the procedure. All maxon implants are bio-compatible, hypoallergenic and metal-free. Sterilisable maxon ceramic drills round off the range.

maxon is working very closely with its partners, developing and producing ceramic implants that combine their special implant design with maxon's surface machining know-how and 15 years' experience of high-tech ceramic component production using CIM technology (Ceramic Injection Moulding). Internationally recognised process systems guarantee quality, as maxon has ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification. Medical standard ISO 13485 is next on the list, and preparations for it are well under way.

First two-part zirconium oxide implant in the pipeline

All currently available ceramic implants are one-part structures. The major drawback of this system is the load during the healing phase. Although two-part ceramic implants heal much quicker, they have not been successful in the past because of unstable implant-abutment connections.

maxon has been developing a two-part zirconium oxide implant and has come up with an innovative solution: a new two-part implant featuring a conus screw fitting and, as mentioned, a special surface. Stability tests at the University of Frankfurt for this anti-bacterial screw system have so far proved extremely encouraging.

Visit us at the 32nd International Dental Show in Cologne and find out more about maxon's zirconium oxide ceramic implants. We look forward to meeting you in person on booth F 017 in hall 4.1.

	maxon zirconium oxide ceramic implants (one-part and two-part) together with sterilisable maxon ceramic drills.

Author: maxon motor ag/12.03.2007