What Are the Best Dental Implant Brands?

Both Nobel Biocare and Straumann are considered among the top dental implant brands not only USA, but also worldwide, known for their quality, innovation, and long-term clinical success.
1-Nobel Biocare

Origin: Sweden/Switzerland
Founded: 1981
Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland (originally developed in partnership with Professor Brånemark, a pioneer of osseointegration)

Key Strengths:

• Pioneers in dental implants: Nobel Biocare was the first company to commercialize titanium dental implants.

• Proven track record: Over 50 years of clinical documentation and studies.

• Wide product range: Offers implants for almost every clinical need – immediate function, soft bone, esthetics, full-arch restorations.

• Active surface technology: TiUnite surface enhances osseointegration.

• Digital integration: Works well with their NobelClinician planning software and guided surgery solutions.

• All-on-4 protocol**: Nobel Biocare developed and popularized this method for full-arch restorations.

Considerations:

• Often considered premium priced.

• Some dentists prefer other systems based on local training or ease of use.

2. Straumann

Origin: Switzerland
Founded: 1954
Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland

Key Strengths:

• High-quality engineering: Known for precision, research, and Swiss craftsmanship.

• SLActive surface: Hydrophilic surface that promotes faster osseointegration and better healing, especially for patients with risk factors like diabetes or smoking.

• Material innovation: Offers both titanium and Roxolid (a titanium-zirconium alloy that’s stronger and allows for smaller implants).

• Extensive research: Thousands of clinical studies and published papers support their success rates.

• Global presence and training: Highly respected by professionals around the world, with a strong education network.

• Versatility: Offers tissue-level and bone-level implants, plus options for immediate loading and esthetics.

Considerations:

• Also in the premium price category.

• Some users say certain parts (e.g. prosthetic components) can be more expensive than competitors.

How the Brand Affects Implant Success?

1. Material Quality
   Top brands like Straumann and Nobel Biocare use high-grade titanium or proprietary alloys (like Straumann’s Roxolid) that are biocompatible and promote strong bone integration.

2. Surface Technology
   Implant surface affects how well and how quickly the bone bonds with the implant.

   • Nobel Biocare uses TiUnite (oxidized surface to increase bone contact).

   • Straumann uses SLActive, which speeds up healing and osseointegration.

3. Precision Engineering
   Premium brands offer better fit and stability. Their components (abutments, screws, etc.) are manufactured to very tight tolerances, reducing risk of complications like loosening or infection.

4. Research & Clinical Trials
   Reputable brands back their systems with long-term studies, while cheaper brands may lack published data or have shorter clinical track records.

5. Compatibility & Support
   A good brand ensures long-term availability of replacement parts. Cheaper or lesser-known brands may stop producing components, making future repairs or upgrades difficult.

Other Key Factors That Matter Even More

While brand matters, other factors usually play a bigger role in long-term success:

• • Skill and experience of the surgeon

  • Proper planning and digital imaging

  • Bone quality and volume

  • Your general health (e.g., diabetes, smoking)

  • Post-op care and hygiene

  • How the crown/bridge is designed and loaded

Quality of dental implant brand can affect implant success through better materials, design, and support — but the experience of the dentist and your own oral health are equally, if not more, important.

Does Insurance Cover Dental Implant Brands?

1. Brand Coverage Specifically

• No major dental insurance plans require or exclude specific implant brands.

• The brand (e.g., Nobel Biocare, Straumann) is usually chosen by the dentist or oral surgeon, not dictated by the insurance company.

• Insurance companies typically reimburse a procedure code (e.g., for the implant placement or crown), not the materials or brands used.

2. What Insurance May Cover (if anything)

Annual maximum limits (often $1,000–$1,500/year) mean even if covered, you still pay most of the cost out of pocket.

3. Exceptions / Workarounds

• Medical insurance might help if tooth loss is due to trauma, cancer, or disease (you’ll need strong documentation).

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can be used tax-free for implants — including the brand your dentist uses.

• Some dental discount plans (not insurance) offer reduced fees with specific clinics or implant systems.

Summary

• Implant brands aren’t specified or restricted by insurance in the U.S.

• Most insurance plans don’t cover implants at all or only cover a portion, regardless of the brand.

• It’s best to ask your insurance provider and dentist to see what your specific plan allows and how the costs break down.