Is Straumann better than Astra?

I primarily use Straumann implants because of ease of placement and restoration and because the tissue level ones have a wide shoulder and no connections under the gumline.  Connections can cause a variety of issues.  I also use Straumann bone levels that have a connection but are easy to restore with custom abutments in difficult cosmetic cases.Straumann implants are very expensive and the oral surgeon has increased costs but doesn't appreciate the GP advantages.  The fact tha the implant failed may have nothing to do with the brand of implant but the quality of bone, surgical placement, hygiene, overall health, smoking etc.I have used many brands over the years and still use multiple brands.  I love the Max implants if doing immediate placement after molar extraction often avoiding bone grafts  and sinus lifts as well as  months of waiting.Ira L Shapira DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAPM, FICCMOChair, Alliance of TMD OrganizationsDiplomat, American Academy of Pain ManagementDiplomat, American Board of Dental Sleep MedicineRegent & Fellow, International College of CranioMandibular OrthopedicsBoard Eligible, American Academy of CranioFacial PainDental Section Editor, Sleep & Health JournalMember, American Equilibration SocietyMember, Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences

In my experience of over 20 years in implant dentistry, Straumann has always been and continues to be a leader in quality implant products. Astra has been good with attachments for implants but nothing special with regards to surgical set up. Many surgeons are loyal to one implant or another because many get better prices from the companies if they push one implant over another. So be careful. The truth of the matter is that Nobel Biocare and Straumann have been around the longest with the most market research and you will do well to stick to one of them. Also, see a periodontist or oral surgeon to maximize your chances for success. A prosthodontist will do a good job on the crown as they have extensive training with making proper adjustments for the human bite. Good luck :)

Both implants are good products, neither is perfect.  They are both made of Grade 4 titanium which is considered commercially pure but has impurities such as nickle, aluminum etc in small quantities.  The screws and abutments that connect to the Grade 4 titanium implants are made of a harder Grade 23 titanium that has even more impurities.  The surfaces of both implants is good enough to allow equal integration rates and depending on the studies both preform similarly well.  The idea is that an implant is only as good as the surgeon placing it and the patient receiving it.  Choose your doctor based on cases that he has preformed.  Don't look at the teeth and smiling pictures, always ask to see the gum to implant interface pictures, where you can see the color, shape, and consistency of the gum tissue above the implant, this is where the truth lies.Good luck.