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As one of Australia’s leading dental labs, Avant Dental is dedicated to bringing the latest and greatest dental technologies to busy dentists across the country. But that doesn’t mean we believe in rolling out new technology for technology’s sake. Far from it. For Avant to put our support behind a new dental technology, we have to be certain that it delivers real benefits to the dentist, your practice, and your patients.
That’s why we’re so excited about the matrix® dental implant system by TRI Dental Implants. It’s a 100% screw-retained implant solution with no abutment and no manual cementation required. And that comes with some significant real-world wins for dentists.
In fact, we believe matrix® is a complete game-changer for implant dentistry. So we’ve become the first dental lab in New South Wales and one of the first in Australia to become matrix®-certified.
matrix® is the world’s first dental implant connection specifically designed for the digital age. It enables dentists to plan the restoration directly on the implant without the use of the abutment and manual cementation.
“The matrix® implant system has been designed to take full advantage of new digital manufacturing technologies such as CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing,” explains Joseph Davies, CEO at TRI Dental Implants Australia/New Zealand.
“This simplifies the prosthetic workflow, provides access to the most advanced materials, and boosts indication flexibility. The system is also supported by eight digital matrix® applications that help dentists achieve fast, precise, and profitable clinical workflows at no additional cost.”
Dentists can choose from matrix® multi-level and bone-level lines to suit a wide range of indications.
The multi-level implant features an innovative concave design to achieve a modern emergence profile. The pink anodised neck optimises translucency and supports modern surgical procedures, such as sub-crestal placements. That makes matrix® multi-level implants ideal for minimally invasive procedures, and its increased biological width guarantees high aesthetic results and excellent longevity.
Alternatively, the matrix® bone-level implant features a 20° shoulder for high divergence bridge restorations and integrates platform-switching to preserve the crestal bone.
Part of the beauty of the matrix® implant system is its simplicity. Davies explains that it has been engineered to significantly reduce the number of components traditionally used in dental implants.
“This adds to the system’s strength and durability,” he says. “Traditional implants typically have many, many components that are prone to increased complications and possible risks. matrix® solves this problem by eliminating a lot of the complexity with a robust design that is focussed around three key components.”
matrix® PowerBase features a 20-degree internal flat connection that maximises the surface area to support the prosthetic restoration directly on the implant. That means no abutment is needed to secure the restoration to the implant. This innovative connection also uses self-centreing properties to deliver ideal handling and fit and enables high divergences – up to 50 degrees – between implants. The connection is specifically designed for Zirconia restorations.
No cementation is required at any stage throughout the matrix® workflow. This comes down to the matrix® SmartLock design that uses a self-locking system for automatic positioning. Two big vertical rotation blockers allow only one single position for crowns and a non-engaging position for multi-unit restorations. The blockers also feature a 1.2 mm distance for easy milling of the prosthetics and tactile feedback.
Three different matrix® SmartBolt screw heads have been designed to enable material-specific milling strategies that are required to ensure the most precise fit. Screw surfaces are specially treated to guarantee increased hardness, scratch resistance, and fatigue strength. The sterile screws are also gold anodized for superior aesthetics with translucent zirconia.
Traditionally, the placement of the abutment in the dental implant process has been a critical step in achieving a successful and functional restoration. By eliminating the need for abutments, matrix® removes the following challenges associated with the use of implant abutments:
Healing and osseointegration: Before the abutment can be placed, the dental implant must have successfully integrated with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. The stability and strength of the implant depend on this integration. If osseointegration is incomplete or compromised, abutment placement may be delayed.
Tissue health: The health of the soft tissues surrounding the implant site is crucial for successful abutment placement. Any inflammation, infection, or tissue irregularities must be addressed before placing the abutment. This may involve additional treatments or waiting for the tissues to heal.
Abutment selection: Abutments come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different clinical situations and the final restoration design. Selecting the correct abutment is essential to ensure that the final restoration fits properly and looks natural.
Abutment connection: The abutment must be securely connected to the implant, typically with a screw. This connection must be precise to ensure stability and prevent complications, such as loosening or micro-movement of the abutment.
Emergence profile: The emergence profile refers to the way the abutment emerges from the gumline and mimics the natural tooth’s contour. Achieving an aesthetically pleasing emergence profile is crucial for the final restoration’s appearance.
Custom abutments: In some cases, custom abutments may be required to achieve the desired aesthetics and function. These must be fabricated specifically for the patient and the restoration being used.
Restoration compatibility: The abutment must be compatible with the type of restoration being placed on top (such as a single crown, bridge, or denture). The design and fit of the abutment are essential to ensure a secure and stable attachment of the final restoration.
Occlusion and bite alignment: Ensuring that the abutment and final restoration align correctly with the patient’s natural bite and occlusion is critical. Improper alignment can lead to issues, especially for patients prone to bruxism or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
Multiple patient appointments: Precise planning and execution are vital to ensure the abutment provides the necessary support and aesthetics for the final implant-supported restoration. Patients can expect multiple appointments, and careful oversight during this stage of the dental implant process is traditionally required.
Screw-retained matrix® implants also eliminate the need for cementation. Traditionally, dental implant cementation can contribute to peri-implantitis, a condition characterised by inflammation and infection around dental implants.
Peri-implantitis is a serious complication that can lead to implant failure if left untreated. Common symptoms of peri-implantitis may include redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums around the implant, especially when brushing or flossing. In advanced cases, patients may notice a discharge or pus around the implant site. There can also be pain and discomfort.
Treatment options may include prescribing antibiotics to control the infection. In more severe cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary to access and clean the implant site thoroughly. In advanced cases with significant bone loss, bone grafts may be required to rebuild lost bone support around the implant
matrix® implants eliminate infection risks associated with cementation, including:
Residual cement: Excess cement that remains around the implant after cementation can be a major contributor to peri-implantitis. If the cement is not completely removed during the final stages of the procedure, it can create a hidden pocket where bacteria can accumulate and proliferate. This can lead to inflammation and infection.
Subgingival cement: Cement used in the implant restoration should not extend below the gum line as this makes it difficult to completely remove during routine oral hygiene practices. Subgingival cement can become a chronic source of irritation and infection, increasing the risk of peri-implantitis.
Incomplete removal: If the dental professional does not completely remove excess cement or does not properly check and clean the area after cementation, small remnants can remain hidden. This can promote bacterial growth.
Poor access: The location and accessibility of the implant restoration can also affect the quality of cementation. In some cases, the restoration may be difficult to cement correctly, leading to excess cement or cement being pushed into subgingival areas.
Cement selection: The choice of cement can also impact the risk of peri-implantitis. Some types of dental cement may be more prone to bacterial adhesion and inflammation, so the selection of a suitable, biocompatible cement is essential, but is not required when using the matrix®.
So by eliminating the need for abutments and cementation, matrix® implants neutralise many of the challenges traditionally associated with implant dentistry. However, the advantages of the matrix® system don’t end there.
Davies says matrix® implants can speed up workflow while also improving precision: “No abutment and no cement means a faster workflow and a 73% increase in precision, along with additional strength, improved aesthetics, and significant material and cost savings.”
Implant divergence up to 100 degrees and 30-degree angled screw channels enable dentists to place fully anatomical crowns without adjustment and supports easy impression-taking for angulated implants.
matrix® also allows dentists to create 100% digital, chair-side manufactured patient-specific emergence profiles, and any design and shape on any material is possible to guarantee full-anatomic and high aesthetic gingiva management.
Eliminating complex abutments also delivers strength, stability and durability gains for matrix® implants. A zirconia single crown screw-retained directly into a matrix® implant was live weight tested to support 177kg – much more than the average human bite force.
A compact connection between the implant, screw, and crown with no hollow spaces ensures that there are no open areas where bacteria or debris can accumulate. This not only reduces the risk of infection but also makes the restoration more stable.
Modern milling machines and CAD/CAM techniques, such as those used by Avant, allow for highly accurate milling of the matrix®-crown interface. That enables matrix® to achieve a very tight and seamless connection between the implant, screw, and crown without any empty spaces.
The matrix® system is more than just an implant. It’s supported by eight innovative apps – including the Digital Healing Collar Library and Scanbridge – that connect dentists with an efficient fully digital workflow and are designed to achieve the highest standards in patient care.
Dentists can choose from 46 designs in the Digital Healing Collar Library to create individual healing components based on the biological tooth shape of the patient. This improves soft tissue management, and dentists can customise the standard designs for individual patients to achieve the best possible outcomes.
“Having access to the library means no physical products are needed in stock, and no CAD designing or manual work is involved,” Davies adds. “It makes the treatment process more efficient in terms of material use, time, and cost.”
Davies also explains that the matrix® system uses Scanbridge technology to deliver incredibly precise and cost-effective full-arch scanning.
“The Scanbridge features a simple design and an easy-click mechanism for easy full-arch implant position and soft tissue scanning in less than a minute,” he says. “And with no need for a second soft tissue scan, it eliminates another step from the workflow.”
The Scanbridge is compatible with all intraoral scanners and is available in different lengths and angulations for maximum versatility.
In the realm of dental implant technology, matrix® is emerging as a revolutionary leap forward in implant dentistry. This innovative system, championed by Avant Dental, not only embraces the digital age but also fundamentally transforms the way dental professionals approach implant procedures.
By eliminating the need for abutments and cementation, matrix® implants address numerous challenges traditionally associated with dental implant processes.
With a meticulous focus on simplification and precision, matrix® enhances both the workflow efficiency and overall outcomes of implant dentistry, and the system’s impressive load-bearing capability underscores its robust design and construction.
This robustness minimises the risk of complications, improves the strength, stability, and durability of implant restorations, and minimises the requirement for large implant stock holding.
To find out more about working with us on dental implant restorations, please email [email protected] or phone 1800 287 336.