Nobel Biocare

Nobel Biocare is a company operating in dental implantology and aesthetic dental solutions. The headquarters are located in Zurich and Gothenburg. The company was founded as Nobelpharma in 1981 and renamed Nobel Biocare in 1996.

The firm concentrates on the development, production and marketing of dental implants, crowns and bridges as well as veneers and laminates as dental prostheses. Nobel Biocare has four production centres in Sweden and the USA and its own sales organizations in 33 countries. The shares of Nobel Biocare Holding AG are listed on both the SWX Swiss Exchange and the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Nobel Biocare has a world market share of approximately 35 percent for dental implants. The company has more than 1800 employees throughout the world and had revenues of 484.5 million euro in 2005^[1]. The company provides specialized training, education and mentoring for its clinically-documented treatment concepts and has partnerships with a number of universities for undergraduate programs and basic research.^[2]

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History

The fifties

Per-Ingvar Brånemark's research in the field of bone regenerations leads him to the discovery of osseointegration, a milestone in reconstructive dentistry.

The sixties

In 1965, thanks to Per-Ingvar Brånemark, the first patient in the world, Gösta Larsson, receives new teeth anchored with titanium implants. He died last autumn, 40 years later.

The seventies

In 1978 the insertion of implants is allowed for clinical purposes by the Swedish Health Authority.

The eighties

The firm Nobelpharma is founded in 1981 and introduces the development of practical education and training. A great moment follows for Brånemark: he makes an international breakthrough in 1982 by presenting his results at the international congress in Toronto (Canada). One year later, Matts Andersson invents and develops the Procera method for the high-precision, repeatable production of crowns. In 1988 the Procera method is ready for global introduction, with full training and support programmes.

The nineties

Nobelpharma is renamed in 1996. In 1998, after the takeover of the American firm SteriOss, Nobel Biocare becomes the undisputed leader in the field of reconstructive dentistry.

The new millennium

Thanks to integrated solutions the C&B&I (crowns, bridges, implants) programme simplifies treatment both for the patient and for the dentist. The new parent company Nobel Biocare Holding AG, with its head office in Zurich, Switzerland, is founded in 2002 and is admitted to the SWX Swiss Exchange. In 2005 Nobel Biocare celebrates the 40th anniversary of osseointegration.

Nobel Direct

Nobel Biocare is the manufacturer of Nobel Direct, an improved type of titanium dental implant which has been the subject of safety concerns since it reportedly causes a greater amount of bone loss than earlier types of dental implants.^{[3] [4] [5]} On July 19, 2006 CNBC reported that an independent panel recommended that Nobel Direct be used with caution.^[6]

Läkemedelsverket frees Nobel Biocare: http://www.lakemedelsverket.se/upload/nyheter/2006/061206%20Nobel%20Biocare%20Beslut.pdf

References

1. ^ Nobel Biocare Annual Report for 2005 (PDF-file) (English), Nobel Biocare
2. ^ University of Michigan, School of Dentistry website (English), University of Michigan
3. ^ Nobel Biocare rejects bone loss claims (English), The Local, December 16 2005
4. ^ Nya implantat-modeller under debatt (Swedish), Sveriges Television, October 6 2005
5. ^ All clear for Nobel Biocare (English), The Local, February 7 2006
6. ^ Granskare varnar för Nobel Biocares implantat (Swedish), Dagens Nyheter, July 19 2006

^^ Nobel Biocare is freed by Läkemedelsverket: http://www.lakemedelsverket.se/upload/nyheter/2006/061206%20Nobel%20Biocare%20Beslut.pdf