Implant Brand Guide · Updated May 2026 · All brands placed by Dr. Tran Thanh Phong, 15,000+ implants
Five Brands. One Honest
Guide to Choosing.
Picasso Dental places only genuine, internationally certified implants from Osstem, Neodent, Nobel Biocare, Straumann and Straumann BLX, the same brands used in leading clinics in Sydney, London and New York. Every fixture carries the manufacturer's original warranty and a verifiable serial number. This guide covers everything that actually matters: origin, surface science, clinical evidence, warranty, and which brand fits which case, with no upselling and no brand preference we're paid to push.
At a Glance
All Five Brands at a Glance
Every brand Picasso places, with the one-line summary you need to orient yourself before going deeper. Pricing is on the cost guide.
| Brand | Origin | Material | Surface | Fixture Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osstem TS III | South Korea (1997) | Pure Ti Grade 4 | SA (sandblasted + acid-etched) | 10+ years | Standard cases · best value |
| Neodent Helix | Brazil (1993, Straumann Group) | Pure Ti / Ti-6Al-4V | NeoPoros / Acqua | Lifetime | Straumann-group tech at mid price |
| Nobel Biocare Active | Switzerland (1965 origin) | Pure Ti Grade 4 / Ti-6Al-4V | TiUnite | Lifetime | All-on-4 protocol · aesthetic zone · complex bone |
| Straumann SLActive | Switzerland (1954) | Roxolid (Ti-Zr alloy) | SLActive (hydrophilic) | Lifetime | Narrow ridges · fastest integration · all cases |
| Straumann BLX | Switzerland (1954) | Roxolid (Ti-Zr alloy) | SLActive (hydrophilic) | Lifetime | Immediate load · same-day teeth · fresh sockets |
"Lifetime" refers to the fixture against material and manufacturing defects, subject to each manufacturer's terms. Detailed per-brand notes in the deep-dives below.
Osstem
Osstem: Asia's Most-Placed Implant
The market leader across Asia and one of the five largest implant manufacturers globally. South Korean engineering at the value end of the genuine-brand spectrum.
Origin and Scale
Founded in Seoul, South Korea in 1997. Publicly listed on the Korean Stock Exchange. The single largest dental implant manufacturer in Asia by volume, and one of the top five globally. Manufactures in Korea and distributes to over 80 countries. The scale supports a comprehensive R&D and quality-control infrastructure.
Material: Commercially Pure Titanium Grade 4
The same base material used by Nobel Biocare's standard fixture range. Grade 4 commercially pure titanium is the workhorse of implant dentistry with decades of biocompatibility documentation. No exotic alloys; no premium material surcharge.
Surface: SA (Sandblasted and Acid-Etched)
Rough-surface treatment broadly equivalent to the SLA technology Straumann introduced in the 1990s. The roughened texture promotes bone attachment, with osseointegration timelines of 8 to 12 weeks under standard protocol. Well-documented in Asian clinical literature.
Clinical Documentation
Substantial published evidence from Korean, Southeast Asian and European clinical centres. 10-year survival rates consistently in the 95 to 98 percent range, comparable to premium brands. Less Western academic literature than Straumann or Nobel Biocare, reflecting its market geography rather than its performance.
When We Recommend Osstem
Standard single-tooth cases in good bone. Posterior molar replacements where bite-force load is the primary demand, not aesthetics. Multiple-tooth bridges. Cost-conscious All-on-4 cases where the patient wants a genuine, warranted, internationally certified fixture at the most accessible price. Osstem is not a budget compromise; it is the rational choice for the majority of cases.
Warranty and Certification
10+ year manufacturer warranty on the fixture against material and manufacturing defects. Full FDA (USA), CE (Europe), and ISO certifications. Serial numbers on every fixture, verifiable with the manufacturer.
Neodent
Neodent: Straumann Technology, Mid-Tier Price
Founded in Brazil in 1993, acquired by the Straumann Group in 2008. Neodent gives patients access to Straumann-group quality control and surface science at a meaningfully lower price point than the Straumann flagship.
Origin and Ownership
Founded in Curitiba, Brazil in 1993. The Straumann Group acquired a majority stake in 2008 and full ownership subsequently. Neodent continues as a distinct brand within the Straumann portfolio, operating with Straumann-group manufacturing standards while maintaining its own product lines, most prominently the Helix Grand Morse system.
Material: Pure Titanium and Ti-6Al-4V
The standard Helix line uses Grade 4 commercially pure titanium. Premium lines use Ti-6Al-4V alloy, the same higher-strength titanium alloy used in Nobel Biocare Active and some Straumann fixtures, supporting narrower-diameter designs without compromising strength.
Surface: NeoPoros and Acqua
NeoPoros is the standard rough surface, comparable in design intent to SLA. Acqua is the hydrophilic activation variant, comparable to Straumann's SLActive: the surface is conditioned to be wettable at placement, promoting faster protein adsorption and accelerated integration. Acqua achieves what SLActive achieves, at a lower price to the patient.
Clinical Documentation
Strong Brazilian and Latin American clinical evidence, with growing European and Asian literature since the Straumann acquisition. The Helix Grand Morse connection design has a large published body of evidence from South American centres. 10-year survival rates in the 95 to 98 percent range.
When We Recommend Neodent
Patients who want hydrophilic surface technology (faster integration than Osstem's SA surface) without the full Straumann price. Standard to moderately complex cases. Multiple-tooth bridges. All-on-4 patients who want Straumann-group quality assurance at accessible cost. The natural choice for the middle ground.
Warranty and Certification
Lifetime manufacturer warranty on the fixture, same terms as the Straumann flagship range. Full FDA, CE and ISO certifications. Serial numbers on every fixture.
Nobel Biocare
Nobel Biocare: The Inventor's Brand
Modern osseointegrated dental implants were invented by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark, who placed the first titanium implant in a human in 1965. Nobel Biocare commercialised that work. No other implant brand has a longer documented clinical history.
Origin and Heritage
The Brånemark system of osseointegrated implants was first placed clinically in 1965. Nobel Biocare (originally Nobelpharma) commercialised the technology in the 1980s. The company is now part of Envista Holdings (a Danaher spin-off), headquartered in Switzerland, with manufacturing in the USA and Europe. No implant brand has a longer documented clinical pedigree.
Material: Commercially Pure Ti and Ti-6Al-4V
The standard Parallel Walled Design uses Grade 4 commercially pure titanium. The Active line uses Ti-6Al-4V alloy, the same higher-strength alloy used in aerospace applications, enabling the tapered design that provides high primary stability in compromised bone. Dr. Phong was an early user of Nobel Active in Vietnam, beginning immediate anterior placement using the Active design in 2009.
Surface: TiUnite
Anodic-oxidation treatment producing a thick porous titanium oxide layer. Introduced in 2000, TiUnite is the most documented surface treatment in implant history with over 20 years of prospective long-term data. The porous oxide layer promotes direct bone contact and performs particularly well in poor-quality (Type IV) bone, which is clinically significant in the upper jaw where bone density is often lower.
Clinical Documentation
The largest body of implant research in Western academic literature, spanning 60 years of continuous clinical documentation from the Brånemark era through TiUnite. Critically, the All-on-4 protocol was developed by Dr. Paulo Maló using Nobel Biocare implants and remains most specifically documented with this brand. Dr. Phong, who brought All-on-4 to Vietnam in 2010, trained on the Nobel Biocare system and was appointed Nobel Biocare's clinical representative in Vietnam in 2007.
When We Recommend Nobel Biocare
All-on-4 full-arch reconstruction, particularly where bone quality is poor (the TiUnite surface excels here). Aesthetic-zone front-tooth implants where prosthetic component variety and emergence profile matter. Complex cases. Patients who specifically want the longest-pedigreed brand. Nobel Biocare is also the natural choice when Dr. Phong is performing the surgery, given his 19-year relationship with the brand.
Warranty and Certification
Lifetime manufacturer warranty on the fixture. Prosthetic component warranties typically 5 to 10 years depending on the component. Full FDA, CE and ISO certifications. Every fixture ships with a verifiable serial number.
Straumann
Straumann: The World's Most-Documented Implant
The largest dental implant manufacturer globally by volume and by clinical research output. Swiss-engineered since 1954, with the most extensive peer-reviewed evidence base in the industry.
Origin and Scale
Founded in Basel, Switzerland in 1954 as a metallurgical research company. Dental implants since the 1980s. Listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX: STMN). Manufactures in Switzerland, Germany and the USA. The Straumann Group also owns Neodent, Medentika and other implant brands, making it the largest implant group globally.
Material: Roxolid (Titanium-Zirconium Alloy)
Proprietary Roxolid alloy is approximately 15% stronger than commercially pure titanium, allowing smaller-diameter implants that carry the same load. Particularly valuable in narrow ridges where adequate bone width would otherwise require a graft. Roxolid is used across the premium Straumann lines including BLX. Standard Straumann lines also use commercially pure titanium.
Surface: SLActive
SLActive (Sandblasted Large-grit Acid-etched Active) is the most clinically documented surface treatment in dentistry. The surface is stored in a saline environment to maintain hydrophilicity, meaning it is wettable with blood and tissue fluids immediately at placement. This accelerates the early protein-adsorption and cell-attachment stages of osseointegration, reducing typical integration time from 8 to 12 weeks (conventional surfaces) to as little as 3 to 6 weeks under ideal conditions. Tens of thousands of peer-reviewed studies, more than any other implant surface.
Clinical Documentation
The most comprehensively documented implant system in academic literature. Multiple prospective multi-centre randomised controlled trials, 10-year and 20-year data sets, survival rates consistently above 97 percent across diverse patient populations. The benchmark against which newer systems are evaluated.
When We Recommend Straumann SLActive
Patients who want maximum documented evidence and the fastest-integrating surface. Narrow ridge cases where the Roxolid diameter advantage avoids grafting. Academic or research-minded patients who want the most peer-reviewed brand. Any case where accelerated integration is clinically useful (staged treatment, international patients with limited stay time).
Warranty and Certification
Lifetime manufacturer warranty on the fixture. Prosthetic component warranties typically 5 to 10 years. Full FDA, CE and ISO. Verifiable serial numbers on every fixture.
Straumann BLX
Straumann BLX: Purpose-Built for Same-Day Teeth
BLX is not just another Straumann fixture. It is an entirely different implant design, engineered specifically to produce the high primary stability that makes immediate loading safe.
What Makes BLX Different
Three design features work together: (1) an aggressive tapered apical shape that compresses bone as it advances, increasing stability in soft bone; (2) deep self-cutting threads that engage bone at the base of the osteotomy; (3) Roxolid alloy that allows the design to work at smaller diameters than pure titanium would permit. Together these produce insertion torque values above the threshold required for safe immediate loading. Standard cylindrical implants, even premium ones, often cannot achieve this consistently enough for a predictable same-day protocol.
Material and Surface
Roxolid titanium-zirconium alloy and SLActive hydrophilic surface, the same premium specifications as the Straumann flagship SLActive line. BLX gets the best of both: a biomechanically superior design for primary stability and the fastest-integrating surface for secondary (biological) stability.
When BLX Is the Right Choice
Immediate loading of a single tooth, especially in the anterior aesthetic zone where leaving a gap is unacceptable. Fresh extraction sockets where the slightly tapered design engages the socket walls for stability. Upper jaw cases with inherently softer bone where achieving high primary stability is more difficult. International patients who want to leave Vietnam with a fixed provisional tooth on day one rather than a removable placeholder.
When BLX Is Not Necessary
Standard delayed-load cases in normal bone, where Osstem or Neodent produce identical osseointegration outcomes at lower cost. BLX's premium is justified by the immediate-load indication; paying for it in a case where delayed loading was always the plan is not rational. We do not recommend BLX unless the case genuinely requires it.
Pricing and Warranty
45,000,000 VND for a single-tooth combo (fixture, abutment, crown), approximately 5,000,000 VND above the standard Straumann SLActive price. Lifetime manufacturer warranty on the fixture, same terms as all Straumann premium lines.
See Also
The full immediate-loading clinical detail, including who is a candidate and what the protocol involves, is on the Immediate Load Implants page.
Specifications
Technical Comparison: All Five Brands
The specification table. All brands are clinically valid at their respective price points; no brand has a survival-rate advantage over the others.
| Specification | Osstem | Neodent | Nobel Biocare | Straumann SLActive | Straumann BLX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country of origin | South Korea | Brazil | Switzerland | Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Founded | 1997 | 1993 | 1965 (Brånemark) | 1954 (Straumann) | 1954 (Straumann) |
| Parent company | Osstem Implant | Straumann Group | Envista / Danaher | Straumann Group | Straumann Group |
| Material | Pure Ti Grade 4 | Pure Ti / Ti-6Al-4V | Pure Ti Grade 4 / Ti-6Al-4V | Roxolid (Ti-Zr) | Roxolid (Ti-Zr) |
| Surface | SA | NeoPoros / Acqua | TiUnite | SLActive | SLActive |
| Surface type | Hydrophobic rough | Hydrophilic rough | Porous oxide | Hydrophilic rough | Hydrophilic rough |
| Standard integration time | 8–12 weeks | 6–8 weeks (Acqua) | 8–12 weeks | 3–6 weeks | 3–6 weeks |
| 10-year survival | 95–98% | 95–98% | 95–98% | 97–98% | 97–98% |
| Fixture warranty | 10+ years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Immediate load design | Not primary use | Not primary use | Active line capable | Not primary use | Purpose-built |
| Single-tooth combo price at Picasso | 25,000,000 VND | 30,000,000 VND | 40,000,000 VND | 40,000,000 VND | 45,000,000 VND |
Combo prices include fixture, abutment and final crown. "Lifetime" warranty on fixture against material and manufacturing defects, subject to manufacturer terms.
How to Choose
How to Choose: An Honest Framework
Dr. Phong's honest view after 15,000+ implants across all brands. The final recommendation always depends on your CBCT and anatomy, but this framework covers most cases.
For Most Patients: Osstem
Approximately 70 percent of implant cases at Picasso use Osstem. Standard bone, posterior position, single tooth or bridge, no unusual anatomical constraints. Osstem produces a clinical outcome identical to premium brands at the lowest price. Choosing Nobel Biocare or Straumann for a routine lower molar replacement in good bone is spending money on a brand rather than on a clinical outcome.
For the Middle Ground: Neodent
When bone quality is borderline, when a hydrophilic surface is worth having, or when a patient wants Straumann-group assurance without the full Straumann price. Neodent occupies the rational middle ground and is a particularly good option for All-on-4 patients who need the quality reassurance without the premium cost.
For All-on-4 and Complex Bone: Nobel Biocare
The All-on-4 protocol was developed on Nobel Biocare implants. TiUnite performs especially well in the Type IV soft bone typical of the posterior upper jaw. Dr. Phong was Nobel Biocare's clinical representative in Vietnam for over a decade and has placed 1,000+ All-on-4 cases. When the procedure calls for it, this is the natural choice.
For Maximum Documentation or Narrow Ridges: Straumann SLActive
When a patient wants the most extensively peer-reviewed brand in academic literature. When a narrow ridge requires the Roxolid diameter advantage to avoid grafting. When a faster integration time has clinical value, for example in patients staging treatment across two trips.
For Same-Day Teeth: Straumann BLX
When immediate loading of a single tooth is the goal. Front teeth, fresh extraction sockets, soft upper-jaw bone where getting reliable primary stability from a conventional design is not assured. BLX's premium is justified when the indication calls for it and not otherwise.
The Rule That Overrides All of the Above
Choose by surgeon before choosing by brand. A surgeon with 15,000+ implants and 25 years of experience placing an Osstem implant will deliver better long-term outcomes than a less experienced surgeon placing Straumann. Brand matters, but it sits below surgical technique, CBCT planning and aftercare in the hierarchy of factors that determine whether your implant lasts. Pick the clinician first.
Authenticity
How to Verify Your Implant Is Genuine
Counterfeit implants exist in some markets. Here is how to confirm what was placed in your jaw is exactly what you paid for. Picasso Dental supports every one of these checks by default.
Serial Number in Your Case File
Every genuine implant has a unique serial or batch number recorded by the manufacturer. We document this in your case file at surgery and hand it to you at treatment completion. You can verify it directly with the manufacturer (Osstem, Neodent, Nobel Biocare or Straumann) at any time. This is the single most reliable authenticity check.
Surgical Sticker in Patient Record
Every genuine implant ships with a sterile peel-off sticker that identifies the brand, model, diameter, length and lot number. We affix this sticker to your patient record at the time of surgery. You can ask to see it at any appointment.
Manufacturer Warranty Certificate
Genuine fixtures come with a warranty that the clinic registers with the manufacturer post-surgery. We provide written warranty documentation in every case file. Counterfeit fixtures cannot generate a valid manufacturer warranty registration. If a clinic cannot produce warranty documentation, the fixture may not be what they claim.
Why This Matters
Counterfeit implants use lower-grade titanium, defective surface treatments or imprecise dimensions. The consequences range from higher failure risk to unknown long-term biocompatibility. They are placed at dramatically lower cost to the clinic. The margin is kept by the clinic. The risk is assumed by the patient.
The Simple Test
Ask any clinic: "What is the serial number of the implant you placed, and where can I verify it with the manufacturer?" A genuine clinic answers immediately. A clinic that hedges, deflects or cannot answer has placed something they do not want you to verify.
Our Supply Chain
Picasso Dental purchases all fixtures directly from the authorised manufacturer distributor for Vietnam. We do not purchase through third-party resellers, online marketplaces or grey-market channels. Dr. Phong was the authorised Nobel Biocare clinical representative in Vietnam from 2007, a relationship that reflects the standards we apply to our supply chain across all brands.
The Surgeon
The Surgeon Behind the Brand Choice
Brand selection is only as good as the person placing the fixture. Here is why the surgeon matters more than the brand name on the box.
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong: Head of Implantology
15,000+ implants placed since 2001. Approximately 600 per year across a 25-year career. 1,000+ All-on-4 full-arch cases since 2010, when he became the first Vietnamese dentist to perform the protocol. 400+ zygomatic implants since 2017 for patients with severe jaw bone loss where conventional implants are not possible.
Nobel Biocare clinical representative in Vietnam from 2007. Early adopter of Nobel Active for immediate anterior placement (2009). Early adopter of digital surgical guides (2014). Pioneer of piezotome ultrasonic bone surgery for grafting cases in Vietnam (2011).
This volume of experience across all five brands means his brand recommendation for your case is based on clinical pattern-matching across thousands of analogous cases, not on a manufacturer relationship or a preference developed from limited exposure.
Why Volume Matters
High surgical volume with the same brands over many years means Dr. Phong has placed Osstem, Neodent, Nobel Biocare and Straumann in enough comparable cases to know precisely where each brand's strengths and limitations appear in real anatomy. The brand recommendation you receive at CBCT review is grounded in that pattern of experience, not in theory or marketing.
Dr. Hung Le Ba Gia (Dr. Evans): Lead Implant Specialist
1,000+ implants placed. Lead Implant Specialist working under Dr. Phong's clinical direction. Handles single-tooth, multiple-teeth and All-on-4 cases across all brands at Picasso's Da Nang and Hoi An branches.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best dental implant brands?
The four most internationally documented brands are Straumann (Switzerland), Nobel Biocare (Switzerland), Osstem (South Korea, market leader in Asia) and Neodent (Brazil, Straumann Group). Picasso Dental places all four plus Straumann BLX. All are genuine, internationally certified fixtures with manufacturer warranties and verifiable serial numbers.
Is Straumann or Nobel Biocare better?
Clinically equivalent for most cases. Straumann has the largest global research database and the Roxolid material advantage for narrow ridges. Nobel Biocare has the longest clinical pedigree and the TiUnite surface that excels in poor-quality bone. Nobel Biocare originated the All-on-4 protocol. The difference for a standard single-tooth case is negligible. For complex cases, the indication drives the choice.
Is Osstem a good implant brand?
Yes. Osstem is the market leader in Asia, one of the top five manufacturers globally, and has 10-year survival data in the 95 to 98 percent range, identical to premium brands. For a standard case in good bone, Osstem performs identically to Straumann at a fraction of the cost. It is the rational choice for the majority of patients.
What is the difference between Neodent and Straumann?
Neodent is owned by the Straumann Group (acquired 2008) and uses Straumann-group quality controls and surface technology. It is a distinct brand at a more accessible price. Acqua surface is comparable to SLActive in intent (hydrophilic, accelerated integration). For standard cases, Neodent and Straumann perform equivalently; Straumann's Roxolid advantage is relevant mainly in narrow-ridge situations.
What is the difference between Straumann SLActive and Straumann BLX?
SLActive is a surface treatment (hydrophilic, accelerated integration). BLX is an entire implant design engineered specifically for high primary stability to enable immediate loading. BLX uses the SLActive surface plus an aggressive tapered body and self-cutting threads. They are not alternatives to each other: SLActive is a surface that appears on multiple Straumann lines; BLX is the specific line designed for same-day teeth.
How long do dental implants last by brand?
All major brands show 10-year survival rates of 95 to 98 percent. No brand has a clinically meaningful survival advantage over the others. The biggest predictors of long-term outcome are surgical technique, bone quality, patient health and ongoing maintenance. Brand is a secondary factor.
Are cheaper implant brands lower quality?
Not necessarily. Osstem and Neodent cost less than Straumann and Nobel Biocare because of production scale, regional economics and different R&D investment levels, not because the fixtures are inferior. Both have full FDA, CE and ISO certifications and manufacturer warranties. For standard cases, they perform identically.
Which implant brand is best for front teeth?
Nobel Biocare and Straumann offer the widest range of prosthetic components for aesthetic-zone cases, giving the most flexibility for gum architecture and crown emergence. Straumann BLX is the option if immediate loading (same-day provisional) is also needed. The crown and soft-tissue management matter as much as the fixture brand in the aesthetic zone.
Which implant brand is best for All-on-4?
Nobel Biocare originated the protocol and has the most specific clinical documentation for it. TiUnite performs well in the soft upper-jaw bone common in fully edentulous patients. Straumann is also widely used for All-on-4. Osstem and Neodent are strong value options. Dr. Phong has placed 1,000+ All-on-4 cases across all four brands since 2010.
Are all your implants genuine?
Yes. We purchase exclusively from authorised manufacturer distributors. Every fixture comes with a serial number in your case file, a surgical sticker in your patient record, and a manufacturer warranty certificate. We have never placed a grey-market or counterfeit fixture. If you have any doubt after surgery, contact the manufacturer directly with the serial number we provide.
Should I choose by brand or by surgeon?
By surgeon first. Surgical technique, CBCT planning and aftercare determine long-term outcomes more than brand. A surgeon with Dr. Phong's 15,000-implant experience placing an Osstem will outperform a less experienced surgeon placing Straumann. Choose the clinician you trust, then discuss which brand fits your case. The brand recommendation should come from the surgeon's assessment of your anatomy, not from a preference list on a website.
Go Deeper
Go Deeper on Each Procedure
Implant Cost Guide
Brand-by-brand pricing for every treatment from single tooth to full mouth, savings vs Australia and USA, and add-on procedure costs.
Single Tooth Implant
Procedure, timeline, candidacy and brand selection for replacing one missing tooth.
All-on-4 Implants
Full-arch reconstruction with four implants per jaw, same-day provisional, and the Nobel Biocare protocol connection.
Immediate Load Implants
Why Straumann BLX matters specifically for same-day teeth, candidacy criteria and the protocol.
Zygomatic Implants
For severe upper-jaw bone loss where conventional implants cannot be placed. Dr. Phong, 400+ cases since 2017.
Dental Implants Overview
All implant types at a glance across the full Picasso implant programme.
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Send us your CBCT or panoramic X-ray. Our implant team, led by Dr. Tran Thanh Phong (15,000+ implants, all five brands), reviews your anatomy and tells you exactly which brand and configuration fits your case, with written pricing, at no cost and no obligation.
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