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Comparison

Straumann vs Nobel Biocare: two major implant ecosystems compared

Straumann and Nobel Biocare are two of the most established implant companies. Both offer broad, well-documented ecosystems. This comparison shows how they differ in design and public record. It does not rank them.

What actually differs
  • Both are Swiss-based, long-established implant companies with large FDA footprints.12
  • Straumann's current lines mostly use a titanium–zirconium alloy (Roxolid®); Nobel's use commercially pure titanium.34
  • Surfaces differ in principle: sandblasted/acid-etched (SLA/SLActive) vs anodized (TiUltra).35
  • Nobel's ceramic implant is filed by a third party, Dentalpoint AG; Straumann makes its own.67

FeatureStraumann
Institut Straumann AG · Straumann Group		Nobel Biocare
Nobel Biocare Services AG · Envista
Company
Headquarters (filings) Basel, Switzerland8Kloten, Switzerland9
Corporate group Straumann Group10Envista11
FDA implant 510(k)sEndosseous implant clearances in the FDA database 69, since 1990154, since 19972
Flagship systems
Current flagship iEXCEL: BLX, TLX, BLC, TLC12NobelActive, Nobel Biocare N149
Tissue-level option Yes: TLX, TLC, classic Tissue Level133Not verified
Materials & surfaces
Main implant material Roxolid® (Ti-Zr) on current lines; titanium on some3Commercially pure titanium4
Main surface SLActive® / SLA®3TiUltra™ (earlier TiUnite®)5
Connections
Current connection TorcFit™ (iEXCEL)12Conical with hex (NobelActive); tri-oval conical (N1)59
Special options
Ceramic implant PURE Ceramic (made by Straumann)7NobelPearl (FDA filing by Dentalpoint AG)6
Zygomatic Yes (ZAGA Flat/Round); no FDA 510(k) found14NobelZygoma (FDA K243834)15
Full-arch concept Pro Arch™16All-on-4® treatment concept (Nobel Biocare trademark)
Warranty
Manufacturer guarantee Lifetime; Lifetime Plus for Roxolid®/PURE (to the dentist)17Not verified

Highlighted rows differ. A design difference is not evidence that one implant gives better results for you. No scores and no winner. The choice is a clinical and restorative decision.

So which is better?

Both are major, documented implant ecosystems. Choosing between them is a clinical and restorative decision: the surgeon's experience with the system, the site, the planned restoration and the availability of parts where you live matter more than the logo.

Systematic review

Reviews of implant–abutment connections found differences between connection designs in marginal bone changes, while implant survival did not clearly differ. 1819

Consensus / guideline

The EFP S3 clinical guideline on peri-implant diseases centres prevention on oral hygiene, regular supportive care and managing risk factors such as smoking. 20

Frequently asked questions

Is Straumann better than Nobel Biocare?
Neither is better for everyone. Both have broad, long-documented systems. The choice depends on your case and your clinician's experience.
Clinical review pending. Facts on this page are checked against the sources listed below (regulatory records, manufacturer documents, peer-reviewed research). A named clinician will review it before we call it medically reviewed.
Last updated 28 Sep 2026 · How we review

Sources

  1. Regulatory recordopenFDA: 510(k) clearances with applicant 'Straumann', product code DZE (69 records, 1990–2026) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  2. Regulatory recordopenFDA: implant 510(k)s with applicant 'Nobel Biocare' (54 records since 1997) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA). Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  3. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K230108 — Straumann BLC and TLC Implants (510(k) summary) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023-09-14. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  4. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2015-05-11. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  5. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K202344 — TiUltra Implants and Xeal Abutments (Nobel Biocare) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020-11-16. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  6. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K180184 — Zeramex XT / NobelPearl Dental Implant System (Dentalpoint AG) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018-11-16. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  7. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K241391 — Straumann PURE Ceramic Implants — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024-12-10. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  8. Manufacturer documentationMRI Safety Information, document 702071/H/07 (05/23) — Institut Straumann AG, 2023-05. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  9. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K211109 — N1 TiUltra TCC Implant System (Nobel Biocare) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2021-12-21. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  10. Manufacturer documentationStraumann Group Annual Report 2025 — Straumann Holding AG. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  11. Manufacturer documentationEnvista — Specialty Products & Technology (Nobel Biocare, Implant Direct, Alpha-Bio Tec) — Envista Holdings Corporation. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  12. Manufacturer documentationStraumann iEXCEL™ system (product page) — Institut Straumann AG. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  13. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K200586 — Straumann TLX Implant System (510(k) summary) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020-08-20. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  14. Manufacturer documentationStraumann® Zygomatic Implant System (product page) — Institut Straumann AG. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  15. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K243834 — NobelZygoma TiUltra Implant system — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025-08-25. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  16. Manufacturer documentationStraumann® Pro Arch™ Fixed Solution — Institut Straumann AG. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  17. Manufacturer documentationStraumann® Guarantee — Dental Implant System (form 152.360) — Institut Straumann AG. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  18. Systematic reviewCamps-Font O et al. External, internal flat-to-flat and conical connections: systematic review and network meta-analysis — J Prosthet Dent, 2023. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  19. Systematic reviewSchoenbaum TR et al. Implant-abutment connections and marginal bone: systematic review of 45,347 implants — Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants, 2023. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  20. Consensus / guidelineHerrera D et al. Prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases — EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline — J Clin Periodontol, 2023. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.

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