Business News
3M to Acquire Dental Implant Manufacturer IMTEC Corp.
Friday 16. May 2008 - 3M announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire IMTEC Corp., a manufacturer of dental implants and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning equipment for dental and medical radiology headquartered in Ardmore, Okla. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This acquisition gives 3M ESPE access to two of the fastest growing segments in the dental industry. “Our combined digital products and expertise will enable a digital total restorative approach with more options than ever, including IMTEC implants, 3MTM ESPETM LavaTM crowns, and 3Ms advanced digital workflow solutions,” said Jeffrey Lavers, vice president and general manager, 3M ESPE. “Together, we will have an end-to-end implantology solution, making the process easier, faster and better for dentists everywhere.”
Dental implants are rapidly emerging as a standard of care for dentistry. A titanium screw replaces the roots of an extracted tooth and is integrated into the bone structure of the jaw over the course of a few months to become a highly-stable platform for a crown, bridge, or full-arch denture. Implants offer several advantages over traditional crown and bridge work such as no preparation of adjacent teeth, better esthetics, and no resorption of bone in the jaw.
IMTEC is best known for its mini dental implants, which are small-diameter, single-unit dental implants that dont require invasive surgery so bone trauma is minimal and patient discomfort is limited. Mini dental implants are primarily used for denture fixation, but are also appropriate for orthodontic anchorage.
“We are looking forward to the reputation, resources and worldwide reach that 3M brings to help us build this business,” said Ron Bulard, DDS and Chairman of the Board, IMTEC Corp. “Its overall strength in oral care with both the 3M ESPE and 3M Unitek divisions makes them a particularly good partner for us.”
One of the worlds largest suppliers to the dental industry, 3M manufactures and markets a wide range of products and services used by dental professionals worldwide to improve oral health. These products are designed to meet restorative, crown and bridge, orthodontic, preventive, infection control, and cosmetic dentistry needs. 3Ms current digital dentistry offering includes the Lava crown and bridge system – an innovative restorative design and milling system that has become a benchmark of quality among dentists and dental labs.
IMTEC employs approximately 230 people located at its operations in Ardmore; Los Alamos, N.M.; and Boulder, Colo. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions.