Posted: September 26, 2008
Green light for Straumann’s oral tissue regeneration products in the US
• Emdogain®, a product used as an adjunct to periodontal surgery and
surgical treatment of gum recessions is available again for US customers
• US surgeons and patients have access again to Straumann’s clinicallyproven,
fully-synthetic alternative for jawbone augmentation
Basel, 5 August 2008: Straumann announced today that the import detention on Biora
products in the US, which has been in place since the beginning of 2007, has been
lifted following a re-inspection of the Group’s Biora facility in Sweden by the FDA (US
Food and Drug Administration). As a result, Straumann can now supply its range of
oral tissue regeneration products to dental professionals and their patients in the US
again. The company’s US subsidiary is taking orders and the products concerned –
Straumann Emdogain, PrefGel® and BoneCeramic – will be available shortly.
As no other countries have been affected by the US import detention, availability
elsewhere has been uninterrupted and global sales have continued to develop
positively, reflecting the fact that these products help to meet healthcare needs both in
tooth preservation and oral bone augmentation.
About periodontal disease and regeneration
Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss because it destroys the tissues that
anchor the tooth root. Mild to moderate periodontitis affects most adults at some time in
life, while 5–20% of any population suffer from severe forms of the disease.
Demographic developments indicate that periodontal disease will continue to be a
major issue.1,2 Therapy involves controlling the causative bacteria and inflammation
and then restoring the lost tissue structures in order to regain tooth attachment.
The decision to rescue or remove a compromised tooth requires careful consideration
by the treating clinician. The Straumann Regenerative System offers treatment options
to support both tooth preservation and oral bone augmentation.
Straumann Emdogain is an effective therapy that helps to stabilize teeth and improve
the outcome of periodontal surgery by regenerating the tissue structures that anchor
the tooth. Specifically, Emdogain is used as an adjunct to periodontal surgery as a
topical application onto exposed root surfaces, and is indicated for the treatment of
intra-bony defects due to moderate or severe periodontitis, as well as the surgical
treatment of gum recessions.3
Since its introduction in 1996, Emdogain has been used in more than a million patients
worldwide and continues to be a leading product for periodontal regeneration. The
wealth of scientific evidence supporting the product continues to grow. In the past 12
months alone, more than 40 new scientific articles have been published in peer
reviewed journals, including a systematic review of 18 studies on the treatment of gum
recessions.4 This showed that Emdogain can increase the predictability of surgical
outcomes by achieving equal or better root coverage and attachment.
Other recently published studies have indicated that less post-surgical discomfort is
reported with Emdogain.5,6
Straumann PrefGel is a convenient gel which is used to remove the smear layer on
the tooth surface prior to application of Emdogain.3 Straumann is now introducing
PrefGel in the US in an easy-to-use pre-filled syringe, which has been has been well
received by clinicians in Europe, where it has been available for some time.
Bone augmentation and regeneration
One of every five dental implants needs bone augmentation either prior to or
concurrent with implant placement. The patient’s own (autologous) bone, from the jaw
or elsewhere is the preferred material for this procedure. However, limited quantities
are available and the procedure can result in pain and complications at the donor site.
Furthermore, autologous bone is readily resorbed and may not provide the required
bone volume in the long term.
One of the most commonly used commercial bone augmentation materials is sourced
from bovine bone, while another commonly used material is sourced from human
cadavers. Being fully synthetic, Straumann® BoneCeramic is a very attractive
alternative.3
Two of the key benefits offered by Straumann BoneCeramic are that it supports the
regeneration of – and is gradually substituted by – the patient’s own bone, while at the
same time preserving bone volume, which is important for achieving esthetic results.
Over the past 12 months data from multiple clinical trials have been published in peer
reviewed journals.7,8,9 In a prospective, blinded, multicenter, randomized, controlled
clinical trial, Straumann BoneCeramic was compared head to head with the market
leader, which is bovine derived. Histomorphometric examination revealed that
Straumann BoneCeramic achieved equivalent new mineralized bone and more vital
tissue after 6-8 months, but with less residual graft.10 Other findings have confirmed
vital bone formation and show active remodelling as well as increasing bone volume
over time.11 In one study published in 2007, Straumann BoneCeramic combined with
autologous bone achieved significantly better outcomes than autologous bone alone.9
About Straumann
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the Straumann Group (SWX: STMN) is a global leader in implant and restorative dentistry and oral tissue regeneration. In collaboration with leading clinics, research institutes and universities, Straumann researches, develops and manufactures dental implants, instruments, prosthetics and tissue regeneration products for use in tooth replacement and restoration
solutions or to prevent tooth loss. The Group manufactures implant system components and instruments in Switzerland and the US, CAD/CAM prosthetics in Germany, and dental tissue regeneration products in Sweden. Straumann also offers comprehensive training and services to the dental profession worldwide, including training and education, which is provided in collaboration with the International Team for Implantology (ITI). Altogether, Straumann employs approximately 2150 people worldwide and its products and services are available in more than 60 countries through the Group’s 21 distribution subsidiaries and broad network of distribution partners.
Straumann®, Emdogain®, PrefGel®, and BoneCeramic are local or international trademarks of
Straumann Holding AG or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.
1 Petersen P, Ogawa H. Strengthening the Prevention of Periodontal Disease: The WHO Approach. J
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