1. I understand you trained as a biomedical engineer. What insight does this education give you about product development in the implant market?
Having an MA in biomedical engineering is a significant advantage in identifying product trends and opportunities in the industry. Recognizing the need for additional hard and soft tissue grafting, we were the first implant company to offer a wide range of biological products for tissue regeneration. We also offered a number of innovations in implant dentistry, such as resorbable implant surfaces with a vegetative texture, implant threads that load the bone in compression, drills with built-in stops, and an implant base that serves as a fireproof and esthetic abutment. That being said, our most significant advance has been recognizing the potential benefits of laser microchannels in addressing the most common complications of implant dentistry – bone loss and soft tissue recession.
2. This is an important point. What are laser microchannels and why is this important?
Laser-Lok is an array of repeatable laser microchannels 8 to 12 micrometers wide and deep produced with an excimer laser under tightly controlled conditions. In-vitro, animal and human clinical research has demonstrated the ability of Laser-Lok to delay epithelial growth, attract a natural connective tissue attachment, and adhere and hold the temporal bone. A team of researchers at a New York hospital invented this technology for joint diseases. Their research focused on controlling cell growth and differentiation on implant surfaces. There are now more than 20 peer-reviewed articles demonstrating the benefits of the Laser-Lok surface on implants and abutments.
3. The cost of implants is an important factor for patients deciding between implants, crown and bridge, or traditional dentures. What is your opinion on the cost of implants?
You bring up an excellent point. Cost is a critical issue for patients, especially in the current economy. In fact, the United States has one of the lowest penetration rates for implants in the world. It is estimated that less than 10% of patients treated for tooth loss receive an implant-supported restoration. I believe that increased education for private dentists and current dental students will create substantial implant adoption over the next five to 10 years.
The price of our implants is usually 10% to 20% lower than the competition. In addition, all of our normal diameter implants at bone level are supplied with an aesthetic abutment implant base. This abutment serves as a surgical implant base, impression response and final abutment. These components typically cost $150 to $200 from other manufacturers, so the cost savings to the dentist can be significant.
4. Peri-implantitis seems to be the only problem plaguing every implant manufacturer. How does your implant line address this?
The connective tissue adhesion created on the Laser-Lok surface should reduce or prevent peri-implantitis. The highest burden of proof in medicine is histology. Laser-Lok has demonstrated connective tissue adhesion in numerous animal and human clinical trials at the histological level. In conjunction with several leading universities around the world, we hope to demonstrate the potential of Laser-Lok in preventing peri-implantitis, even in the presence of bacteria and infection. We believe that the application of Laser-Lok to prosthetic abutments may prove to be the most exciting new development in implant dentistry in the last 10 years.
5. Continuing implant education has shifted from opinion leaders speaking to implant companies having their own teaching facilities. Would you comment on this trend and how BioHorizons is addressing it?
Our philosophy has been, and will continue to be, to partner with leading private and public educational institutions for training in tissue regeneration and implant dentistry. I believe that an independent education curriculum is more beneficial to the dentist than a company course program. We are fortunate to work with the leading private and university teaching facilities around the world.
6. More implants are designed for the general practitioner, especially mini implants. How does your product line appeal to the general dentist?
We were the first company to offer a narrow 3.0 mm implant approved by the FDA for permanent use. Mini-implants less than 3.0 mm in diameter are successful, although with a reduced success rate. Since our mission is to provide the most predictable treatment results, we recommend an implant diameter of 3.0 mm or larger. From a cost and functionality comparison, two standard denture-retained implants cost about the same as four mini-implants and with better predictability.
7. Dr. Sonia Leziy is a key opinion leader in the sector. It seems that there are very few female dentists who have reached this status with implants. We know that women make up 50% of today’s dental school graduates. What plans does your company have for Dr. Leziy and the market of female dentists?
We are extremely impressed with the clinical skills of Dr. Leziy, her understanding of dental implant design and the exceptional quality of her presentations. We are pleased to work with her because of these qualities. Dr. Leziy is in a unique position to teach and mentor female dentists.
Steve Bogan is a 1986 graduate of Mississippi State University with a BS in biological engineering and an MS in biomedical engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1989. He received an MBA from the University of Memphis in 1995. Boggan joined BioHorizons in 1999 and was promoted in 1999 to president, one of the medical device executives with more influential than the Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine.
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