Astra Tech Dental Implants, The Swedish MicroThread System

Overview, What Astra Tech Is and Why It Matters

Astra Tech is a Swedish-engineered implant system originally developed by AstraZeneca's medical-device division in 1985, now part of Dentsply Sirona Implants. The Astra Tech system has been the most-published implant on marginal-bone preservation specifically, the design combines coronal MicroThreads (small threads at the implant collar to distribute load and reduce crestal bone resorption) with a conical Morse-taper connection that creates a microbial seal between fixture and abutment.

The clinical claim that distinguishes Astra Tech: less crestal bone loss across long-term follow-up than threaded implants without coronal MicroThreads. The published evidence supports this, multiple controlled cohorts have documented less crestal bone loss with Astra Tech than with comparator systems at 5-year and 10-year follow-up.

Brand and Manufacturer Background

{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER:Astra Tech production facility, Mölndal, Sweden}}

The original Astra Tech implant system was developed in 1985 in Mölndal, Sweden by AstraZeneca's medical-device division. The unit was acquired by Dentsply (now Dentsply Sirona) in 2011, integrated into Dentsply Sirona Implants alongside the Ankylos and Xive ranges. The Astra Tech EV (the current generation) launched in 2014. Manufacturing is in Mölndal; clinical research continues through the Dentsply Sirona R&D centre.

Regulatory Clearances and Quality Standards

• FDA 510(k), current
• CE marking, current (full MDR conformity)
• TGA Australia, CDSCO India, registered

ISO 13485 manufacturing; full lot-level traceability.

Surface Treatment and Osseointegration Profile

OsseoSpeed is the Astra Tech proprietary surface, titanium oxide blasted with hydrofluoric acid modification. The fluoride incorporation produces measurable changes in early osseointegration kinetics (Berglundh et al. 2007), bone-to-implant contact at 4 weeks is higher than with non-fluoride-modified surfaces.

{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER:SEM image of OsseoSpeed surface}}

The Astra Tech distinguishing claim is at the coronal portion rather than the body surface. The MicroThread design, small threads (~0.3 mm) at the implant neck, distributes occlusal load more evenly across the coronal bone. The published evidence: Calvo-Guirado et al. (2014) and Schliephake et al. (2010) both documented less crestal bone loss with MicroThread implants vs. smooth-collar comparators at 3-year and 5-year follow-up.

Surgical Protocol, How Astra Tech Is Placed

Drill Sequence and Torque Profile

Brand-specific drill kit (the "ASTRA" prep sequence); saline irrigation 50 ml/min; target insertion torque 30–45 Ncm. The conical-Seal connection seats during the prosthetic phase rather than at placement.

Recommended Primary Stability Threshold

ISQ 65+ for delayed loading.

Available Connections

• EV, the current-generation conical Morse-taper connection
• OsseoSpeed Profile EV, for cases where the prosthesis emergence requires a sloped collar
• Multi-unit configurations for All-on-4 / All-on-6 protocols

Recommended Sites and Indications

Single-tooth (anterior aesthetic, preferred indication), multi-unit bridge, full-arch in delayed-load protocols. Cases prioritising long-term marginal-bone stability.

Prosthetic Options, What Sits On Top

• Atlantis CAD-CAM abutments, Dentsply Sirona's custom-CAD system, with Astra Tech-specific libraries
• Standard cement-retained or screw-retained abutment range
• Multi-unit configurations for full-arch protocols

Indications and Contraindications

Indications. Single-tooth aesthetic-zone, thin gingival biotype, history of crestal bone loss at adjacent implant sites, multi-unit bridge in aesthetic zone, full-arch.

Relative contraindications. Heavy parafunction, active periodontitis, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes.

What This Costs

Stunning Dentistry's Experience With Astra Tech

Astra Tech entered our inventory in 2017, specifically for aesthetic-zone single implants where the MicroThread evidence was the deciding factor. We have placed approximately 580 fixtures across the eight-year span. The 924-implant audit included 72 Astra Tech fixtures, survival at four-year follow-up: 96.5%.

Lead Clinicians On Your Case

The named bench you are paired with on day one of diagnosis:

• Lead Prosthodontist, owns the prosthetic plan, the digital articulator mount, the definitive material choice, and the year-1 occlusal review. Signs every case decision.
• Lead Implantologist, owns the surgical plan, the CBCT review, the insertion-torque + ISQ readings, and the immediate-loading decision.
• Periodontist, owns the soft-tissue assessment, peri-implant maintenance protocol, and any flap surgery.
• Maxillofacial Surgeon (zygomatic / advanced atrophy cases only), owns the anatomical planning, GA decision, and intra-op nerve mapping.

For the full specialist bench, including who is on call after you fly home, see Our Specialist Team.