3M ESPE and Astra Tech Announce Partnership to Bring Atlantis™ Patient-Specific Implant Abutments Directly to Lava TM Milling and Design Customers

ST. PAUL, Minn. – (June 2, 2008) – 3M ESPE and Astra Tech AB, a leader and innovator in the dental implant industry, announce a global partnership to provide Astra Tech’s Atlantis™ patient-specific abutments to 3M ESPE Lava™ customers. The two companies have developed an interface which will enable the Lava™ Scan ST Design System to communicate directly with Astra Tech’s Atlantis technology.
This new development will enable Lava Scan ST users to transfer digital scan information of the patients’ oral geometry to Astra Tech’s Atlantis design and manufacturing facilities worldwide. This eliminates the need to, and lowers the cost of, shipping physical models. In addition, this connectivity reduces the overall turn around time for the abutment; a key benefit to the customer.
“This is an important step in 3M ESPE’s strategy to enable end-to-end digital workflow for our customers,” says Wayne Roen, director of digital restorative dentistry, 3M ESPE. “We’re delighted to be working with Astra Tech. Atlantis high-quality, implant abutments are a natural complement to the excellent marginal fit, strength and esthetics of Lava zirconia restorations.”
“The partnership with 3M ESPE is a strategic milestone which will further strengthen Astra Tech’s leading position within the area of digital implant dentistry, says Peter Selley, CEO of Sweden based Astra Tech Group. “In our ongoing efforts to increase the reliability and simplicity of our therapy solutions, adopting the 3M ESPE digital scan technology further enhances our ability to provide the best patient-specific solution for implant restorations.”
3M ESPE and Astra Tech have jointly developed the capability. The companies anticipate the commercial launch in the United States later in 2008 with other markets to follow. The companies also anticipate future collaboration to create additional digital workflow solutions that further enhance the efficiency of dental laboratory customers and enable product innovation.
For more information: Visit 3M ESPE at www.3MESPE.com or call 1-800-634-2249.
Visit Astra Tech at www.astratechdental.com or call 781-890-6800.