Nobel Biocare NEWS Information for the Osseointegration Specialist Issue 1/2011 Strength of Mind TheThe Big Big Oxmox Oxmox advised advised When When she she reachedreached the the first first hills hills of theof the Italic Italic and Character Mountains,Mountains, she she had had a last a last view view back back on onthe the skylineskyline of her.of her. By Richard Laube, CEO We have come a long way since the 1950s, when a young researcher in Sweden observed that the human body would not only tolerate tita- nium, but also integrate it into living tissue. Nevertheless, without that young man’s curious mind—and ad- mirable tenacity—we’d be nowhere. The titanium implants used rou- tinely today only exist because of the pioneering work of Professor Per- Ingvar Brånemark. We now have these remarkable objects at our dis- posal because he was prepared to challenge the conventional wisdom of the times, and demonstrated the determination to systematically doc- ument the evidence he needed in order to prevail over well-established opposition. The Titan of Titanium Since those early days, osseointe- grated titanium implants have revo- Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark grants a rare interview. lutionized the fields of dental, maxil- lofacial and orthopedic rehabili- tation. Based on his original findings, in- with the organization’s lifetime According to the EPO, “more than asked about the award, he replied novative bone-anchored restorative Science is what you know. achievement award for his discovery eight million people have benefited simply, “I have received quite a few solutions have improved the quality Philosophy is what you don’t and development of osseointegra- from Brånemark’s landmark meth- prizes and awards over the years, but of life for millions of people around know. Per-Ingvar Brånemark tion. ods,” since he treated his first osseo- this beats everything else. It repre- the world. At Nobel Biocare, we’re remains interested in both. Regarded as the most prestigious integration patient, Gösta Larsson, sents recognition from colleagues proud to follow in his footsteps, prize for European inventors, the in 1965. and laymen alike that my method providing you and your colleagues By Frederic Love award went to Brånemark because, has already helped an enormous with evidence-based products that “During the course of his career, he Serendipity and hard work number of people. What greater are validated by scientific and clini- t its annual inventor awards has continued to refine his approach I met with Professor Brånemark re- commendation can a scientist hope cal research. I trust you’ll enjoy A ceremony this spring, the Euro- into what has become the gold stan- cently, not far from the University of to receive?” the interview with Professor Bråne- pean Patent Office (EPO) presented dard of dental implantation global- Gothenburg, Sweden, where he has mark that begins here to the left on Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark ly—the method of osseointegration.” worked most of his life. When I more on page 2 this page. < In this Issue Innovation on a Firm Foundation NobelReplace® evolves 6 NobelActive™ 3.0 Smaller and stronger for By Frederic Love also include the standardized step- safe implant placement in by-step drilling protocol, with its areas with limited space. straightforward surgical kit, and the uitable for both experienced color-coded surgical and prosthetic S restorative clinicians and surgi- components, all of which help to re- 9 TiUnite® Eleven years on cal implant users, NobelReplace has duce placement time by enabling the and as stable as ever. evolved into two new versions, both rapid and safe identification of all See the radiographic of which retain the key innovations components. evidence. of NobelReplace Tapered. NobelReplace Conical Connec- These features include the tapered tion (CC) has been designed to implant design, of course, which fa- 9 Reader beware! Not all cilitates high initial stability. They more on pages 3–5 NobelReplace Platform Shift and Conical Connection. studies are the same. 2 Nobel Biocare NEWS Issue 1/2011 From the Editor The Titan of Titanium Exclusive interview with Per-Ingvar Brånemark, continued from the cover He has come a long way few companies who knew how to since those early days in the 1950s machine titanium,” says the profes- sor. Thus a long-term relationship Nicolas Weidmann when, as a young researcher, he was began. Senior VP Global Communications completely absorbed in the study of the anatomy of blood flow. Over the years, this relationship As part of that work, he attached a has had its ups and downs, but both After a decade-long hiatus, we are titanium-housed optical component parties have benefited from a long- proud to resume the publication of to a rabbit’s leg, which made it possi- term devotion to the support and Nobel Biocare News. In this first ble to study microcirculation in the practice of good science. When I issue—and every issue that follows— bone tissue through specially modi- asked Brånemark what characterizes we intend to introduce innova- fied microscopes. The work at hand good science for him personally, he tions and disclose trends, as we was completed successfully, but responded thoughtfully. share the stories and experiences of when it came time to remove the “Good science is all about good our readers with the global dental metal-framed optics from the bone, method. Making observations, col- community. Brånemark famously discovered that lecting facts and data and creating a the bone and the titanium had be- hypothesis to explain what you’ve The patient first come virtually inseparable. seen—it all starts there. Then you From the very beginning, back when “Not long afterwards,” Brånemark have to deduce the implications of Nobel Biocare was known as Nobel- said, “we changed the direction of the hypothesis and put the implica- pharma, the company has main- our work to investigate the body’s tions to the test. It is very important tained a determined commitment to ability to tolerate titanium.” that all data be considered, not just develop and support evidence-based those that support your ideas. Final- treatment modalities. This is still the Multidisciplinary enterprise ly, you have to subject your findings Per-Ingvar Brånemark: “It is very important that all data be considered, case today. We promote our prod- To gain a proper understanding of to peer review. At the end of the day, not just those that support your ideas.” ucts and services for the same rea- what he would later call “osseointe- there may be no ‘final’ truth, but in sons you choose them: for the bene- gration,” Brånemark recruited ex- our field, a valid hypothesis will in- and “osseointegration” come imme- stands for reconstructive biology, fit of your patients. perts from other fields—such as evitably lead to practical achieve- diately to mind, of course. When he not carpentry.” Looking toward the This is not an expression of altru- physics, chemistry and biology—to ment as it stands up to the scrutiny introduced the concept of the “third future, he adds, “I’ll be very happy if ism. Ensuring the best interests of his quest. Physicians, dentists and of other researchers in the field.” dentition,” Brånemark got thousands Nobel Biocare keeps the rigorous sci- the patient makes our business a via- biologists all joined the effort. To- As successful as Brånemark has of professionals to start thinking of entific philosophy of the early years ble enterprise and your clinic a se- gether they developed diligent, been as a scientist, he has also been implant-based solutions not as “false alive in its corporate culture.” cure place to practice dentistry. methodical techniques for the inser- successful as an evangelist for the teeth” but “total rehabilitation.” The editors want Nobel Biocare tion of implants. At the same time, “good news” of osseointegration. “I chose these words because I Eye on the horizon News to be your newsletter as well as engineers, physicists and metallur- When I point out that people listen found them succinctly descriptive. While we’re on the subject of the fu- ours. If there is an insight you would gists studied the metal’s surface and to him, and ask why, he responds There’s a beauty in language like that. ture, I ask, “What’s next?” like to share with your colleagues or how the design of the implant might with a smile on his face. I certainly didn’t anticipate how “If you’ll allow me to speculate a a topic you would like us to explore, have an effect on bone healing and “They listen to me because I know widely they would be accepted, but bit, I believe that we may be on the please do get in touch. growth. what I’m talking about. Before treat- was pleased, of course, to see how threshold of a paradigm shift in the We’re looking forward to the ex- For the best part of two decades, ing the first patient, I had accumulat- quickly they gained traction in both professions we practice. Once we re- change of ideas! < Brånemark faced opposition from ed more than ten years of experience scientific literature and clinical com- alize that biology—especially immu- the medical establishment in his na- in the lab, for example. I don’t rush munication.” nology—lies at the heart of both tive Sweden. “Our findings that the to conclusions, and I think people When asked to comment on the modern dentistry and medicine, I body would accept titanium over the appreciate that.” practicalities of cooperative efforts think we’ll start educating dentists long term, and even allow it to inte- between science and industry, and doctors along similar lines at the grate in bone, flew in the face of Followers everywhere Brånemark takes the high ground.