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iEXCEL · Bone level · C-Line

Straumann BLC™: the tapered C-Line implant at bone level

Finer threads, a slim apex, the same connection as BLX

BLC is the bone-level implant of Straumann's C-Line. The FDA summary describes it as an apically tapered bone-level implant made of Roxolid® with SLA® or SLActive®, using the TorcFit™ connection with RB and WB platforms.1 Straumann calls the C-Line its new generation of tapered implants with slim apexes for less invasive treatment and efficient insertion.2

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Generic implant with abutment (illustration)
In short
  • Bone level, apically tapered, thread pitch 0.8–1.15 mm.1
  • Diameters Ø3.3, 3.75, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5 mm; lengths 6–18 mm depending on diameter.13
  • Same TorcFit connection as BLX, TLX and TLC.2
  • 2026: FDA cleared use of Ø3.75 × 18 mm BLC in the pterygoid region for splinted full-arch work.4

Why Straumann makes both BLC and BLX

Both are bone-level implants on the same TorcFit connection. The difference is the body design. In the FDA comparison table, BLC is listed as an apically tapered implant with thread pitches of 0.8–1.15 mm, while BLX is fully tapered with pitches of 2.0–2.8 mm for the compared sizes.1

A coarser, deeper thread (BLX) is designed to cut and grip; a finer thread with a slim apex (BLC) is designed for efficient insertion and less invasive preparation, according to Straumann.2 Neither is 'the better implant'. They reflect different design priorities that a surgeon weighs for each site.

Full comparison: BLX vs BLC

Sizes

DiameterLengths (BLC)
Ø3.3 mm8 – 18 mm
Ø3.75 mm6 – 18 mm
Ø4.5 mm6 – 18 mm
Ø5.5 mm6 – 16 mm
Ø6.5 mm6 – 16 mm (16 mm added 2024)

BLC implants come with RB (Regular Base) and WB (Wide Base) prosthetic platforms. Source: FDA 510(k) summaries K230108 and K234049.13 Availability varies by country.

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Pterygoid indication (2026)

Regulatory record

In 2026 the FDA cleared an indication for Ø3.75 × 18 mm BLC implants in the pterygoid region of the upper jaw, for splinted multi-unit restorations only. 4

Pterygoid implants are placed at the very back of the upper jaw to support full-arch bridges when bone further forward is limited. This is specialist surgery; the FDA clearance covers splinted multi-unit restorations with angled abutments only, not single teeth.4

When BLC may not be the obvious choice

  • When the surgeon wants maximum grip in very soft bone or a fresh socket, BLX's deeper thread may be preferred.
  • When a tissue-level design is preferred: TLC or TLX.
  • Metal-free preference: PURE Ceramic.

Frequently asked questions

Is BLC cheaper than BLX?
We don't publish product prices, and pricing depends on the clinic and country. Don't assume one is the 'budget' version. They are different designs within the same system.
Can BLC be used for full-arch treatment?
BLC is part of the iEXCEL system used from single tooth to full arch, and a 2026 FDA clearance added a pterygoid indication for splinted full-arch restorations.4
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 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.
  2. Manufacturer documentationStraumann iEXCEL™ system (product page) — Institut Straumann AG. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  3. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K234049 — Straumann BLC and TLC Implants — line extension — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024-03-20. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  4. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K252168 — Straumann BLC Implants — indication widening (pterygoid) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026-03-10. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.

Educational information only. The choice of implant system depends on your anatomy, restorative plan, bone quality and the clinician's assessment. This website does not recommend a specific implant for you.

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