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iEXCEL · Tissue level · X-Line

Straumann TLX™: tissue level meets the X design

The join between implant and crown sits above the bone

TLX is the tissue-level member of Straumann's X-Line. The FDA summary describes TLX as fully tapered, made of Roxolid® with the SLActive® surface, with a conical TorcFit connection and three prosthetic platforms: NT, RT and WT.1

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Illustration comparing a tissue-level and a bone-level implant
In short
  • Tissue level: the top of the implant rises through the gum, so the implant–abutment join sits away from the bone.
  • Fully tapered body, Roxolid® material, SLActive® surface.1
  • Platforms NT, RT and WT with one identical internal connection.1
  • Straumann lists a TLX 4 mm extra-short implant for limited bone.2

What 'tissue level' means

With a tissue-level implant, the polished neck of the implant passes through the gum and the abutment connects above the bone. With a bone-level implant, the connection sits at bone height.

Tissue-level vs bone-level implant illustration
Illustration: a tissue-level implant (collar through the gum) beside a bone-level implant.

Straumann's Pro Arch material states that the TLX design moves the implant–abutment interface away from the bone and is designed to reduce the risk of inflammation and bone resorption.3 This is the manufacturer's rationale. Independent reviews of connection design show differences in bone-level changes but not clear differences in survival.4

TLX compared with its siblings

  • TLX vs BLX: same material, surface and connection family; TLX ends in the gum, BLX at the bone. See BLX vs TLX.
  • TLX vs TLC: both tissue level on TorcFit; TLC is the C-Line design, apically tapered with finer threads. See TLX vs TLC.
  • TLX vs classic Tissue Level (Standard / Standard Plus): the classic line has a long track record; TLX brings the tapered X design and TorcFit connection. See Tissue Level.

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Full-arch use

Straumann includes TLX in its Pro Arch full-arch concept, alongside BLX and Bone Level Tapered.3 Whether tissue-level implants suit a full-arch plan depends on the anatomy and the restorative design.

Regulatory record

TLX was cleared by the FDA in 2020 (K200586).1 Additional TLX sizes appear in later Straumann SLActive labeling filings.5

Frequently asked questions

Is TLX better than BLX?
Neither is better overall. They answer different design questions: where the implant–abutment join should sit. Your dentist chooses based on the site and restoration.
Is there a short TLX implant?
Straumann lists a TLX 4 mm extra-short implant for limited bone availability.2
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) K200586 — Straumann TLX Implant System (510(k) summary) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020-08-20. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  2. Manufacturer documentationImplants for anatomical challenges — Institut Straumann AG. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  3. Manufacturer documentationStraumann® Pro Arch™ Fixed Solution — Institut Straumann AG. Accessed 28 Sep 2026.
  4. 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.
  5. Regulatory recordFDA 510(k) K223083 — Straumann SLActive labeling changes — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023-06-22. 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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