There are over 500 dental implant manufacturers worldwide, and the number keeps growing. Most patients will only come across a handful of them, and the brand your dentist uses is one of several factors that affect the quality, cost and long-term success of your implant.
At Marylebone Smile Clinic we are familiar with over 50 of the major implant systems. This guide explains what makes one implant system different from another, and gives an overview of the brands you are most likely to hear about.
What Makes the Best Implant System?
The best implant system and price is based on several factors:
- Clinical skill of the clinician, dentist or surgeon: You can judge this by the before and after photos on the website or social media of the dentist. Typically, implant dentists who can achieve excellent cosmetic and functional results with front teeth implants will manage back teeth with ease and very high success rates. Further, if your implant clinic or dentist does not take photographs or cannot provide a portfolio of their work, this is a sign that they do not handle cosmetic cases involving front teeth and that their level of clinical work is often not up to the high standards within aesthetic dentistry. Implant dentists working at the highest level will have a portfolio of cases they can show you, reviews from past clients and will be able to handle single tooth replacement up to full mouth implants.
- Material purity: Grade 4 or 5 medical titanium is used for implants and their associated components. The grading is related to the level of interstitial gases within the metal, such as oxygen. This can change the flexural strength, resulting in slightly different use applications within dental implantology. For example, grade 4 titanium is almost universally used for the metallic fixtures in the jaw bone, and grade 5 is occasionally used for smaller components above the bone.
- Machining and accuracy tolerances: Implant fixtures are machined via diamond cutting CAD-CAM units and there are only a handful of these factories worldwide. They are located in Spain, the USA, Italy and Switzerland. Accuracy tolerances are prescribed by the implant brand and the manufacturing is contracted to the centralised milling centres. Accuracy tolerances vary from 1 micron up to 30. Your dentist should be able to research and partner with an implant system that has low accuracy tolerances to reduce the risk of imperfectly fitting parts.
- Design (shape) of the fixture: Today there are very few implant shapes and brands that are not compatible or successful in the mouth. However, there are over 500 implant manufacturers worldwide and this number continues to grow. At Marylebone Smile Clinic we are familiar with over 50 of the major systems. We feel that whilst there are various benefits to many of the innovative designs that exist, the precise placement and careful work by the dentist installing the implant is paramount to a stable long-term outcome.
Dental Implant Brands Compared
Each of these brands has unique offerings that cater to different aspects of dental implantology, from innovation and design to affordability and clinical support. It's crucial to consult with a dental professional to determine the most suitable option based on your individual clinical requirements and aims.
Straumann / Nobel Biocare / Dentsply Sirona / Zimmer Biomet / BioHorizons / Osstem / Dentium / MegaGen / Bicon / Neoss / Implant Direct / Alpha-Bio Tec / Keystone Dental
Straumann
Technologies: Roxolid alloy for increased strength. Whilst this is new and not yet proven to be of any benefit to the patient, it is an emerging technology to avoid fracture of the implant. SLActive surface for faster healing, which can reduce the overall treatment time to 2 months. SLA is a method to roughen the implant surface by sandblasting with large grit particles and acid etching to create micro and macro mechanical pores within the titanium, promoting bone integration.
Implant types: Bone Level Tapered (BLT) is one of Straumann's most popular fixtures and has an extremely strong success record. Other lines such as Tissue Level (TL), TLC, BLX and TLX have all been introduced to meet modern needs within implant dentistry. As an overly complex implant system, dentists are required to have advanced training to work with all the variations.
Special features: The Straumann PURE Ceramic Implant is available for metal-free solutions. This implant is seldom used due to its limitations in many scenarios and risk of fracture. Straumann also encompasses the milling centre Createch for custom implants, Medentika for compatible components, coDiagnostiX cone beam software, and the Neodent and Anthogyr implant systems.
Nobel Biocare
Technologies: Nobel developed the All-on-4 treatment for edentulous patients, originating in Lisbon, Portugal, by Paulo Maló. They also developed the multi-unit abutment, which was required for full mouth implants. Their design is now used by all other implant brands. Their surface treatments are an improved version of Alpha-Bio Tec's surface treatment, purchased from the company many years ago.
Implant types: NobelActive TiUltra, NobelReplace, Replace Select, NobelParallel CC and Brånemark external implants all make up a wide portfolio designed to meet the majority of clinical requirements.
Special features: As the pioneer of dental implants through PI Brånemark, Nobel led the way until the late 1990s, when Straumann superseded the system with their innovations and success rates.
Dentsply Sirona
Technologies: A combined titanium oxide and chemical treatment has been labelled OsseoSpeed for an enhanced bone response. Platform switching is a technical enhancement by Astra and Ankylos to improve gum stability long term. Note that this has not been definitively proven to be superior to 'in line' or straight designs, but is a matter of philosophy.
Implant types: Astra Tech TX/EV, Ankylos, Xive and MIS. Newer implants include the OmniTaper and PrimeTaper, which cater for immediate implant placement after a tooth has been removed.
Special features: Platform switching is unique to this system and has reported benefits of enhanced bone and gum protection long term. The disadvantage is that fracture of the abutment may occur when made into very fluted designs.
Zimmer Biomet
Technologies: Trabecular Metal provides high porosity for bone growth.
Implant types: Includes the T3, Osseotite, TSV and TSX implants for different clinical needs.
Special features: As a close analogue to Brånemark implants, they can be cross-compatible, but Biomet 3i has made many changes to their implant catalogues over the years and they can be challenging to work with.
BioHorizons
Technologies: Laser-Lok microchannels promote soft tissue integration. This is generally considered a mid-range implant system.
Implant types: Tapered bone level, tissue level, narrow and short implants.
Special features: Ownership of Camlog broadens the product portfolio. A cost-effective implant that is extremely prevalent in the USA.
Osstem
Technologies: Various surface treatments for enhanced osseointegration. This is generally considered a mid-range implant, with more limited distribution in the UK.
Implant types: Various tissue level and bone level designs with varying shapes for immediate or delayed placement.
Special features: A leading implant in Korea and Asia due to extremely fast field testing and data research.
Dentium
Technologies: Sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surface. This is considered a mid-range implant.
Implant types: SuperLine and Implantium.
Special features: Popular in Korean and Asian markets.
MegaGen
Technologies: Aggressive threads within its design allow for good stability in soft bone. Immediate temporary tooth placement on the day of implant placement makes it an efficient and novel approach to implants. Although this is considered a mid-range implant, many premium brands (Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Dentsply Sirona) have used these elements in their modern designs.
Implant types: AnyRidge, AnyOne and BlueDiamond systems, ranging from bone level to tissue level.
Special features: A Korean system that has become popular in the UK due to its simple design, lower price and special thread design to meet a wide range of situations.
Bicon
Technologies: An iconic design suited to areas of short bone height, avoiding micro screws to hold the crown to the implant. As one of the first innovators of short implants, many companies such as Straumann have since developed their own short implant.
Implant types: Short, Max and Narrow.
Special features: Locking taper for a secure, bacteria-free seal. Unlike most implant systems, a screwless system reduces the chances of future complications.
Neoss
Technologies: ProActive surface enriched with magnesium, with a lower roughness towards the neck to reduce bacterial adherence while optimising bone integration.
Implant types: ProActive in various geometries.
Special features: A simplified workflow without the complexity of many other systems. Neoss produce biomaterials to the highest standards for guided bone regeneration and bone grafting.
Implant Direct
Technologies: A mid to lower range system based on Nobel Biocare designs. It was introduced in US teaching hospitals 10 to 15 years ago and has limited distribution.
Implant types: InterActive, Iconic, Legacy and Trilobe Replant.
Special features: A system with no distribution in the UK. However, many of their implants are analogues of Nobel Biocare and are cross-compatible.
Alpha-Bio Tec
Technologies: Originally from Israel, with much of their distribution now from the USA, and many other brands have used their designs. A mid to lower range product.
Implant types: Multi Neo, DFI, NICE, ICE and Spiral to suit a wide range of clinical scenarios.
Special features: A centring feature on the apex of the implant fixture to ensure accurate seating.
Keystone Dental
Technologies: A mid to lower range product.
Implant types: Genesis, Prima, Molaris and Zeramex.
Not sure which implant is right for you?
Your consultation includes a 3D CBCT scan and a written treatment plan with your full costs.
Which Implant Brand Do We Use?
At Marylebone Smile Clinic, Dr Sahil Patel uses both Straumann and Southern Implants, Swiss and South African systems backed by decades of clinical research and a reliable UK supply of genuine replacement parts.
We use Straumann for their pioneering research on cleanable and exceptionally durable materials. It is almost unheard of for a Straumann component to break, and their Bone Level Tapered implant is one of the most successful designs ever made.
Southern Implants are one of the few systems that manufacture and cut their own titanium. This is unique and a testament to their exceptionally high standards, as almost all other implant systems outsource the milling of the titanium.
Every implant is planned with a 3D CBCT scan and finished with a custom abutment and colour-matched ceramic crown. Find out more about dental implants in London or see our guide to dental implant costs.
Why the Brand Matters If You Need Repairs Later
Implants are a long-term commitment. If a crown or screw ever needs replacing, your dentist needs to identify the system and source matching parts. Little-known brands, or brands with no UK distribution, can be difficult to restore. Always ask for a record of the implant brand, system and size used in your treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dental implant brand?
There is no single best dental implant brand for everyone. Premium systems such as Straumann and Nobel Biocare have the longest research history and are widely used by UK implant dentists, but the skill and planning of the dentist placing the implant matter just as much as the brand.
What brand of dental implants are used in the UK?
The dental implant brands most widely used in the UK include Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Dentsply Sirona and Zimmer Biomet, with Korean systems such as MegaGen and Osstem becoming more common. At Marylebone Smile Clinic we use Straumann and Southern Implants.
Does the implant brand affect the price?
Yes, the implant brand is one part of the overall price of a dental implant. Premium systems cost more, but they come with long-term clinical evidence and a reliable supply of genuine parts. See our dental implant cost guide for a full breakdown.
Lead implant dentist at Marylebone Smile Clinic and an Accredited member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Sahil plans and places implants, bone grafts and gum grafts at our Harley Street clinic.
GDC number: 258353. Last reviewed: 26 October 2026