From the first titanium implant to All-on-4: Nobel Biocare presents a book on 60 years of clinical experience

On September 23, Nobel Biocare held a commemorative event at the University of Gothenburg to mark the 60th anniversary of the first titanium dental implant surgery, performed by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark, and presented the book by Professor Tomas Albrektsson, “Sixty Years of Clinical Experience with Nobel Biocare Osseointegrated Implants.”

About the book

Editorial board and contributors

The book was prepared under the editorship of Tomas Albrektsson, co-edited with Professor Bruno Hrčanovič, and includes contributions from over 30 academic and industry experts. Among the authors are recognized figures in implantology: George Zarb, Matts Andersson (Procera), Leif Ek, Paulo Malo, and others.

Types of materials included

• Scientific reviews on the mechanisms and biological basis of osseointegration;
• Historical reviews and the chronology of Nobelpharma → Nobel Biocare’s development;
• Long-term follow-up clinical cases and outcome reports;
• Personal recollections and the commercial chronicle of technology implementation.

Historical Facts

Discovery of Osseointegration

The opening chapter describes Brånemark’s classic experiment, in which a titanium screw placed in a rabbit’s bone exhibited excessive adhesion to the bone tissue and proved impossible to remove without destroying the surrounding tissue—a phenomenon that laid the foundation for the concept of osseointegration. The clinical motivation was supported by examples of patients with severe alveolar ridge resorption and the inconveniences of removable dentures.

Key Dates and Long-Term Outcomes

The first surgery — September 23, 1965, a four-implant fixation in patient Gösta Larsson; these implants remained functional for over 40 years. Since then, the scale of application has grown to millions of patients worldwide, with the estimated annual number of implants placed approaching 30 million.

Clinical Significance and Practical Relevance

Scientific Basis and Impact on Clinical Protocols

The book combines the biological foundations of osseointegration with long-term clinical outcomes, making it a valuable resource for evaluating the reliability of various surface modifications, implant platforms, and loading protocols. For clinicians, it is important to correlate historical data with modern evidence when selecting an implant system and treatment approach.

Practical Conclusions for Implantologists

• Studying long-term outcomes helps shape the prognosis and restoration strategy in cases of bone deficiency;
• Analysis of clinical cases provides information on complications (peri-implantitis, bone loss) and preventive measures;
• The history of CAD/CAM implementation and concepts like All-on-4 demonstrates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the adaptation of engineering solutions to clinical needs;
• The commercial chronicle demonstrates the impact of organizational decisions on the accessibility of technologies and the standardization of components.

Expert commentary

Recommendations for colleagues based on the book’s content:

• Incorporate historical and biological data on osseointegration into clinical reviews of complex cases;
• Use long-term follow-up data when discussing prognosis and rehabilitation timelines with patients;
• Critically evaluate marketing claims and correlate them with independent long-term studies;
• Maintain interdisciplinary collaboration (surgeon — prosthodontist — technician) when planning complex restorations.

Conclusion

The publication represents a valuable compilation of historical experience, scientific reviews, and clinical cases, beneficial for practicing dentists and implantologists seeking to deepen their understanding of the biological basis of osseointegration and its clinical implementation over six decades.