Basel, 1 September 2010 – Straumann, a global leader in implant, restorative and regenerative dentistry today announced the initial market launch of its new CADCAM dental restoration system, which is the latest component in the company’s portfolio of cutting-edge digital solutions. The present launch comprises: advanced scanning technology, new design software, an extended range of applications and an additional material – all designed to enhance workflow efficiency, precision, patient comfort and treatment outcome. The new system is now available in initial markets in Europe and North America² and will be rolled out in the coming months, following relevant regulatory approvals. Straumann believes that this is the most significant launch of extended functionality to date in CADCAM dentistry.

At the same time, Straumann also announced that it will use its CARES^® brand (Computer Aided REstorative Solutions) to cover – and further distinguish – its entire digital solutions range.

Straumann CARES Digital Solutions include state-of-the-art guided surgery³, intra-oral scanning⁴, and CADCAM prosthetics. The main advantage lies in the fact that the complete package comes from a single provider and is designed for seamless connectivity to simplify workflows and link dental professionals across disciplines. All of the products have been subject to an intensive test program to help ensure reliability, simple handling and customer compliance.

“The future of dentistry is digital. Without innovative, seamlessly-connected CADCAM systems dental professionals will struggle to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Success also depends on collaboration and partnership, which is why we have involved customers and experts in our intensive premarket test programs. The very positive responses show that we are on the right track to being the partner of choice”, said Franz Maier, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Sales at Straumann.

New scanner: Straumann^® CARES^® Scan CS2

The central hardware component in the Straumann CARES CADCAM system is a new in-lab scanner with a striking design and broad functionality. The additional functions offered by the CS2 include the ability to scan solid master models, section cuts and antagonist models. Using advanced 3D laser technology for accuracy and speed, it reduces scanning times to just 30 seconds for single dies, and 3 minutes for master models.

In pre-market testing, customers have received the new scanner and software very positively, particularly the new ‘morphing’ capability, which automatically designs a fully restored tooth with inlays, onlays, veneers or partial crowns despite the fact that the original morphology of the tooth is missing.

A new level of support

Like every Straumann product, the new scanner is backed by Straumann’s support service. Automatic, down-the-line software updates and tools have been a winning feature of Straumann scanners for several years. So too has an expert hotline support service. The new scanner brings a further dimension to customer support thanks to an integrated online camera that enables the Straumann CARES Support Center to understand and address individual customer difficulties very quickly.

New software: Straumann^® CARES^® Visual 6.0

To drive the new CADCAM system, Straumann has further developed its powerful CAD software, focusing on ease-of-use, connectivity and additional functionality. New features and functions include a new graphic user interface, an automatic prosthetic design feature, an advanced tool for individual design options and an expanded database library of teeth, pontics and connectors. There is also a ‘2D-slice’ view with measuring function, which makes it possible to check important design parameters, such as prosthetic wall thickness.

The software connects with the Cadent iTero^®5 intraoral scanning technology, which means that dentists using iTero scanners can transfer oral scan data directly into the Straumann CARES CADCAM system for the tooth- or implant- borne restoration to be designed.

New prosthetic applications

To complement the existing CADCAM range of copings, crowns, bridges and customized abutments, Straumann has expanded its prosthetic applications to include full anatomic inlays and onlays, veneers, and implant-borne screw-retained bars and bridges^{1, 2}.

Inlays and onlays are used to restore large defects in teeth. Straumann has offered partial inlays and onlays for some time, but these previously required a certain amount of finishing work, in contrast to the new full anatomic solutions.

Veneers are thin ‘shells’ placed over a tooth surface either for esthetic reasons or to protect a damaged tooth surface. Veneers are fabricated from composite material (built-up in the mouth by the dentist) or from ceramics (prepared in a dental laboratory and then cemented to the tooth). CADCAM technology with central milling supersedes painstaking manual labor, enhances precision and makes it possible to use new high-performance materials.

Screw-retained bars and bridges are used to connect, two or more dental implants in patients who have lost a number of teeth in a row. The conventional manufacturing process, which involves impression-taking, modeling, casting and soldering, is labor intensive. The Straumann digital solution is to design the prosthetic by computer and to mill all the prosthetic components, including bars and bridges, by computer-aided manufacturing^{1, 2}.

Extended range of materials

Straumann offers a leading range of prosthetic materials to cover a wide selection of indications and to cater for individual requirements, preferences and budgets. The offering comprises polymers, metals, and modern high-performance ceramics, including super-esthetic glass-ceramics. The latest addition is IPS Empress^® CAD^2,6, an established glass ceramic supplied by Ivoclar Vivadent AG and used for esthetic tooth-borne restorations (i.e. inlays, onlays and veneers).

Recognized leadership

Straumann is the only leading manufacturer in implant, restorative and regenerative dentistry to offer all these services with seamless connectivity. The system and solutions launched today are further examples of the company’s renowned strength in innovation. Straumann is the only dental company to have twice received the prestigious Medical Technology Device of the Year Award bestowed by Frost & Sullivan for best practice in innovation.

¹ Certain products may not be available in all markets immediately and may require regulatory approvals

² Screw retained bars and bridges and IPS Empress CAD are pending FDA clearance in the US

³ Already launched in initial European and North American markets

⁴ Straumann launched the iTero intra-oral scanner in Europe earlier this year, where the company has exclusive distribution rights

⁵ iTero^® is a trademark of Cadent Ltd, Israel

⁶ IPS Empress^® is a registered trademark of Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Liechtenstein