MAHWAH, N.J., April 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Nobel Biocare, the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions, today announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art North American Ceramics Center in Mahwah, New Jersey. The site also features a Procera(R) manufacturing facility and a dental training institute. This expansion follows the recently opened European Ceramics Center in Stockholm, and is prompted by increased demand for esthetic dental solutions, which are driving the need for greater access to training and technology.
The 40,000 plus square foot building combines state-of-the-art facilities and interactive technology to deliver comprehensive educational programs to clinicians and lab technicians, which support the latest procedures for Nobel Biocare's high-end ceramic, surgical and restorative products, concepts and solutions. The facility includes a laboratory training area that accommodates up to 40 lab technicians, and a lecture hall that seats up to 120 clinicians. Combined with the company's Yorba Linda, California and Toronto, Canada facilities, the Mahwah manufacturing facility and training institute strengthens Nobel Biocare's east to west presence, ensuring customers receive strong product and training support throughout North America.
The new manufacturing facility will produce Nobel Biocare's Procera(R) family-of crowns, bridges, implant abutments and laminates (facades). Procera combines innovative ceramic materials with a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) process to deliver individually customized patient solutions. The alumina and zirconia ceramic materials used in the Procera process result in crowns with a translucency that closely mimics real teeth, giving the restoration a beautiful, natural appearance.
"The first patient was treated by Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark in 1965. Ever since Nobel Biocare has pioneered the modern era of implant dentistry and has created a rich tradition of innovation based upon science. This commitment to innovation and excellence continues with the opening of our state-of-the-art manufacturing and training facility in Mahwah, New Jersey," said Nobel Biocare President and CEO Heliane Canepa. "Patient demand for fast, pain-free dental solutions that provide long-lasting functionality and beauty is driving the market for our solutions. Our new Mahwah facility will ensure that Nobel Biocare meets this growing demand by ensuring the availability of high quality products and training programs, which support the latest treatment concepts."
"Nobel Biocare's family of crown, bridge and implant solutions leads the industry in the use of innovative materials and treatment options that result in the most lifelike restorations," said Dr. Howard Ehrenkranz, a Livingston, New Jersey general dentist who has lectured to his peers on both cosmetic and implant surgery. "Staying current on the latest technologies and procedures is essential to building a viable practice and providing patients with the best possible care. This training facility is a tremendous asset to clinicians in the tri-state area and throughout North America."
Nobel Biocare will host an open house from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the facility located at 800 Corporate Drive in Mahwah. In addition to a 1:00 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony, the event will include group tours of both the manufacturing and educational facilities at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
For more information about the event or to attend the open house, please call:(800) 579-6515.
Nobel Biocare is a medical devices group and the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions with its brands Branemark System(R), Replace(R) Select, NobelPerfect(TM), NobelDirect(TM) (dental implants) and Procera(R) (individualized dental prosthetics). Nobel Biocare is a one-stop shop for restorative esthetic dentistry, offering a wide range of innovative Crown & Bridge & Implant products, as well as training & education and clinically documented treatment concepts. Nobel Biocare has 1 430 employees and 2004 revenue of EUR 388 million. The global operational headquarters are located in Gothenburg, Sweden, while production takes place at four production sites located in Sweden and the U.S. Nobel Biocare has direct sales organizations in 29 countries. The shares of the parent company Nobel Biocare Holding AG are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, Sweden.
Nobel Biocare Holding AG, Postfach 8058 Zurich-Flughafen, Switzerland. www.nobelbiocare.com
Celebrating 40 years of scientific heritage. In 1965, the first patient was treated with the original scientific dental implant system, the Branemark System(R). This event marked a breakthrough in modern dental implant therapy. Since then, millions of people have been helped with dental implants, enjoying improved function, appearance and quality of life. The original fixtures that were placed in the first patient 40 years ago are still in place, providing the individual with firm bridge support. The Branemark System(R) has been scientifically documented in 1,500 articles.
Procera(R) is a high-tech process for the industrial production of individually designed crowns, bridges, laminates and abutments, which replaces a hundred year old handicraft procedure. Procera orders are received online around the clock via digital files that contain information about the individual patient's tooth. The mostly robotized production process begins immediately upon receipt of the file, and after a few hours the custom-made product is sent via courier to the dental lab that ordered it. Every piece is unique and individually produced for each patient. To date, Nobel Biocare has produced more than 5 million Procera units worldwide, and has over ten years of documented experience on the market. The esthetic advantages of Procera have made it possible for Nobel Biocare to develop NOBELESTHETICS(TM), a complete esthetic solution concept, suitable for both natural and implant-secured teeth.
Crown and Bridge market. More than 110 million teeth are replaced in the industrialized world every year. Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns are the most common method used today. PFMs account for about 85% of the market with an estimated annual growth rate of just 2-3%. All ceramic units account for about 15% (20% in North America) of the market, growing at an estimated annual rate of 12-15%.