Quarterly Dental Implant Market Update: Stranglehold of the Big Four Loosening

Millennium Research Group, reports that in the first quarter of 2006, more than 20 different manufacturers were selling dental implants across the country.

Waltham, MA (PRWEB) June 1, 2006 -- MRG, the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, reports that in the first quarter of 2006, more than 20 different manufacturers were selling dental implants across the country.

In the past several years, the US dental implant industry has been dominated by the big four competitors: Nobel Biocare, Straumann, 3i, and Zimmer Dental. In 2004, these four companies held 73.7% of total market revenues. By comparison, in the first quarter of 2006, the big four garnered 70.1% of all revenues. The tremendous success that these companies have had, combined with accelerated market expansion, has opened the door for new competitors to enter the market. Astra Tech (AZN), Lifecore Biomedical (LCBM), Bicon, and BioHorizons are a few of the small- and medium-sized companies that have experienced considerable success going up against the big four competitors.

In order to capture valuable market share, some of the smaller competitors are offering their products at lower prices relative to the premium-priced implants offered by the big four. Leading the pack of such companies is Dr. Niznick, the creator of some of the implant products now sold by Zimmer Dental. Niznick is currently the president and founder of Implant Direct, an independent manufacturer and distributor that began distributing implants in the first quarter of 2006. The success of Implant Direct and other similar companies, however, remains to be seen. Looking forward, we will be able to gauge what effect these small- and medium-sized companies are having on the market through our Marketrack project, which successfully tracks pricing and market share data on a quarterly basis.

About Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed as permanent replacements for missing teeth. A dental implant is a metal post that is surgically placed into the bone under the gums. The purpose of the placement into the bone is to encourage the integration of the dental implant—the bone actually grows around the dental implant, making the tooth secure. A replacement tooth is attached to the metal post by means of a final abutment.

About Millennium Research Group and Dental Marketrack
MRG (www.MRG.net) is a leading provider of strategic information to the health care sector. Focused solely on the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, the company provides its clients with the benefits of its specialized industry expertise through published reports and customized consulting services. MRG’s new Dental Implant Marketrack project surveys more than 300 implant practitioners on a quarterly basis about their use of implants and implant-related products from such leading competitors as Nobel Biocare (NOBE), Straumann (STMN), 3i (BMET), Zimmer Dental (ZMH), and numerous other competitors. The survey sample is geographically segmented and comprised of general practitioners, oral maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact:
Amy Krohn
Millennium Research Group
416-364-7776 x101

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