There is a fun moment that often happens during implant consultations at our clinic.
When I'm reviewing the CT scan with a patient and explaining the treatment plan, there's one question that almost always comes up.
"Doctor, which implant brand is the best?"
Every time I hear this question, I smile a little inside. Haha.
"Ah~ here we go, time for the car analogy again."
At first, I tried to explain the characteristics of each implant brand one by one. But the longer I explained, the more confused many patients became.
These days, I start with the car analogy first.
"Choosing an implant is a bit like choosing a car."
Strangely enough, when I put it this way, most patients smile and say, "Ah~ now I get it." From that moment on, the consultation becomes much smoother.
During implant consultations, I hear all kinds of things: "I heard Osstem is good," "Isn't Straumann the best?" "Someone recommended Dentium — what do you think?" "Aren't foreign brands better?"
These days, with so much information available online and on YouTube, many people actually end up more confused. Every brand claims to be the best, and every online community recommends something different.
That's why I bring up the car analogy every time.
There is no car that is the right answer for everyone
Let's think about cars for a moment. Some people choose a Genesis. Others choose a BMW, some choose a Mercedes-Benz, and some choose a Porsche. There are also those who dream of a Rolls-Royce.
So, let me ask you, the reader, one question.
"What makes a good car?"
The answer will likely be different for everyone. A daily commuter, someone who takes long trips every weekend, a person who travels with family — everyone uses their car for different purposes.
When choosing a car, people don't just look at the price. They consider safety, ride comfort, maintenance, brand reputation, and after-sales service. That's why each car brand pursues a different direction and has its own philosophy.
I believe the same applies to implant brands.
Comparing implant brands to cars?
Of course, this is just an analogy.
If I had to compare the implant lines we use at our clinic to cars,
Osstem SA is like a Genesis,
Dentium Superline is like a Mercedes-Benz,
Straumann BLX / BLC is like a Rolls-Royce
Think of it roughly along these lines.
(This is purely an analogy to help understanding.)
What matters here is not that one is superior to another, but rather the image and philosophy each brand has built over time.
For example, when people see a Rolls-Royce, most think, "That's a great car." But few ask, "Why is that car so good?" The name Rolls-Royce itself carries decades of engineering, history, and trust built by the brand.
Straumann is somewhat similar. Through decades of research and clinical data, it has become the world's leading implant brand, building its current brand value.
Osstem, too, has been used in Korea for a long time, accumulating extensive clinical experience. Dentium is also a brand with a reliable system, used by many dentists. All three brands are excellent choices.
So, which brand should you choose?
At this point, many patients ask, "Then which brand should I get?" In truth, this question is not as easy to answer as it seems.
Patients often think of Osstem, Dentium, and Straumann as single products, but in reality, each brand has multiple product lines. And every patient has a different bone condition, different bite force, and different reasons for losing their teeth.
That's why we almost never say something like, "Ma'am, you need Osstem," or "Sir, Straumann is the one for you."
Treatment begins with diagnosis.
When you come into the consultation room after your CT scan, we start by reviewing the CT images together. Is there enough jawbone? Where are the nerves? What is the bone density like? What kind of prosthesis will be needed? We analyze all of this before establishing a treatment plan.
Then, we explain your current condition. And we introduce the implant brands we work with at our clinic and their respective features. You may choose Osstem SA, Dentium Superline, or Straumann BLX / BLC.
The implant brand is an option we present to you. I believe it is our role as dentists to explain things clearly enough that you can understand and choose with confidence.
"Doctor, which brand do you recommend?"
During implant consultations, I also get the reverse question quite often: "Doctor, which brand do you recommend?"
But I actually wish patients would ask me something different. Haha.
Why did you recommend this treatment plan for me?
Why did you choose this surgical approach,
why this prosthetic design,
why this sequence of treatment?
Once patients fully understand the reasons behind these choices, helping them decide which implant brand to choose can lead to better treatment outcomes.
Closing Thoughts
A good brand certainly matters. The cost is also an important factor for patients to consider.
But a good brand alone does not produce good results. Accurate diagnosis, a thorough treatment plan, carefully performed surgery, and consistent maintenance. Only when all of these come together can we expect excellent outcomes.
Because an implant is not simply a procedure to place a single tooth — it is a surgery that requires considering the jawbone, the jaw joint, and the bite as a whole.
Just as you wouldn't choose a car based on the brand name alone, it's difficult to decide on an implant based solely on the brand name. The brand is simply one option we present to you.
And explaining those options in a way that's easy to understand, and working together to find the best treatment plan for each patient — I believe that is the most important role of a dentist.
ARC Dental Clinic
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon / Visiting Professor, SNU School of Dentistry
Dr. Jaeho Jeon
