The BioHex™ One Piece-One StageTM System is the result of over fifteen years of research and was developed to overcome certain challenges associated with current implant systems. The system is based upon two novel physical concepts, namely, (1) a common, or standard, hexagon-shaped abutment, and (2) a combined or ¡°one-piece¡± implant and abutment.
By virtue of its one-piece design, the system is at the forefront of the trend to perform single-stage implant procedures, immediate loading etc. By installing the implant and final abutment at the same time with no further steps, surgical or otherwise, the BioHex™ system is the only true single-stage implant and restoration procedure. Although simple in its approach, the one-piece design incorporating a standard abutment has been used to create a truly universal system that allows an operator to manage the entire implant and restoration process safely and predictably.
2 How is BioHex™ different from all other implants ?TOP¡ü
Currently, all implants in the market are two piece dental implants with only a few one-piece devices that are used in very selected single tooth cases. The two-stage protocol requires two surgical steps: (1) first, the implant is surgically placed in the jaw and then, after a delay of several months to allow the soft tissue to heal and osseointegration to take place, (2) the head of the implant is exposed in a second surgical step, to allow attachment of an abutment. After another healing period, a series of preparation, impression and fitting steps must be performed before the final crown or teeth is attached.
The BioHex™ System is unique because it is placed within the trajectory of the natural jaw bone and does not require the placement of the implant in a paralleled fashion compared with all other implant systems. This means that the need for bone regeneration or grafting in order to place the implant into certain positions or angulations is greatly reduced. This reduces the time, cost, procedures and risk of implant procedures. Further, the restoration of the device does not required traditional dental crown and bridge procedures, reducing chair time and pain for the patient. In addition, the connection between the restoration and the device provides excellent mechanical support and long term functions.
The BioHex™ One Piece-One StageTM System was first introduced in 1997, as a two-piece device, although used as a one-piece in a single stage procedure. FDA 510(k) clearance was received in May 1997. The system is also ISO13485:2003 certified. After 5 years of clinical validation the BioHex™ one-piece device received FDA Clearance in January 2002.
BioHex™ has been used in thousands of clinical cases with remarkable success. The system has been shown to be universal in application and allows a dentist to complete the replacement of missing teeth in a fraction of the time typically required by other systems.
The system is defined by a simple clinical protocol which enables the dentist to achieve an extremely high standard of clinical efficacy. The universal nature of BioHex¡®s™ application allows a dentist to complete the replacement of missing teeth in a fraction of the time required by other systems
The resulting reduction in treatment time, cost and complications allows the significant decrease in treatment fees while providing long term guarantees.
BioHex™ is supplied directly to Kwan implant centers and affiliated implant dentist/centre whom have been trained in the BioHex™ product and procedures.
5 Why is BioHex™ treatment time significantly shorter than other
implants ?TOP¡ü
Due to the one-piece abutment implant configuration, healing occurs simultaneously in the bone and gum portion after implantation. The device is visible through the healing process, allowing continued monitoring of the status of the device. In cases when the first sign of failure occurs, the device can be removed and replaced in 6 to 8 weeks, without significant addition to treatment time. The success rate of the one stage implantation process is similar to the traditional two-stage process.
6 What is the success rate of the BioHex™ dental implant ?
TOP¡ü
Our treatment protocol established for 20 years requires the placement of the device in a one stage process and a healing or unload time of 6 weeks. The BioHex™ dental implant¡¯s success rate has been demonstrated to have an overall safety and reliability of 97.44 percent including stability and utility of the prosthesis over a fifteen-year period.
7 What can go wrong with the BioHex™ dental Implant?TOP¡ü
Anticipated problems such as failure to integrate, pain and infections are infrequent and tends to present themselves during the early stages. These are typically addressed quickly and effectively at the time they occur.
A typical failure scenario will be around the fifth week after implantation. If the gums appear red around the implant and there is mobility and pain upon touching it, the implant will be removed immediately. The implant site will be cleaned and re-implantation can be performed again in about 6-8 weeks.
8 What is the Long Term Policy for BioHex™ Implant & Restoration
Treatments ?TOP¡ü
1-3 years Individual consideration (Please ask the consulting
Doctor for details). As a rule, there is no charge for re-treatment, but would charge $300 to replace each implant and $200 per crown.
This policy does not cover any accident related injuries such as accidental falls, Motor Vehicle Accidents, etc.
9 Why does the BioHex™ implant treatment require less
incidences of bone grafting or bone regeneration ?TOP¡ü
Traditional approaches place the implants in parallel with adjacent teeth or implants. Some of the grafting procedures were done for reasons of insufficient bone, but another underlying reason might be to allow the implants to be placed in a parallel fashion for easier restorations.
Alternatively, the BioHex™ approach simply places the implant in the root socket and follows the natural trajectories of the jaw bone and does not require the implant or abutment to be parallel in order to fit the final restoration. The result is that in the 15-year study period, less than 1% of our patients required bone grafting out of thousands of BioHex™ implants placed.
BioHex™ treatment fees are based on our 15 years of clinical data which accounts for the time taken to perform the procedure, the cost to the operator, and the rate and nature of the complications over the study periods. Effective November 2011
A single implant cost from start to finish, excluding other dental procedures such as transitional dentures, exam and x-rays, extractions etc., is US $1800.00.
Long term clinical results suggested that it is important to replace as many missing roots as possible with dental implants, this is a clinical decision dictated by available bone and cannot be negotiated.
Notes:
The BioHex™ treatment fee is usually according to number of implants required rather than number of teeth.
All restorations or crowns are fixed in a similar manner to when you have your own root/tooth.
The false teeth are made of boned porcelain or non-precious metal.
For all ceramic zirconia crowns, please add $99 per unit restoration.
Multiple teeth are splinted to each other for added strength and support.
Fees are subject to change without notice.
11 How many appointments would the BioHex™ System take?TOP¡ü
* Note: 90% of BioHex™ treatment process follows this schedule, however in cases of complications, more appointments and longer time might be needed to complete the case.
12 How long after the BioHex™ dental implant is placed can it be used to
anchor new teeth?
TOP¡ü
In a typical BioHex™ case, restoration for long-term functions can be safely performed in 6 to 8 weeks, regardless of upper or lower jaw.
In the front part of the lower jaw or when the quality of bone is very good, restoration can be performed immediately, providing what we call ¡°teeth in an hour, in a day or in a week¡±.
13 How painful is BioHex™ implant placement ?TOP¡ü
BioHex™ implant placement employs a surgical technique that minimizes trauma to the patient. Using gentle drilling, constant irrigation and slow placement of the device, the gum is sutured around the abutment [top part of the device] allowing the bone and soft tissue to heal simultaneously. The pain is usually less than or equal to tooth extractions. Typically, one or two pain killer pills are required for the first day after the procedure.
14 Will I have to go without teeth during the BioHex™ treatment
process?TOP¡ü
The abutment [top part of the device] is level with the gum so it does not interfere with the transitional dentures provided during the 6-8 week treatment period.
15 Does BioHex™ provide over-denture treatments ?TOP¡ü
No, BioHex™ does not provide over-denture or mini-implant treatments to patients.
The common reasons for over-denture treatment are the ¡°cheaper¡± treatment cost and the patient can remove the denture and clean the implant underneath. From our experiences, over-dentures require more maintenance and are less predictable to the patient and the dentist after the treatment is ¡°finished¡±. This is inconsistent with our long term policy.
Because of BioHex¡¯s™ innovative approach, the treatment cost for a BioHex™ fixed prosthesis can now be comparable to some over-dentures stabilized by regular implants or mini-implants. Dental implants are less susceptible to problems from lack of oral hygiene; however, we still stress the importance of keeping the patients mouth/teeth/crowns clean similarly to when they had their own teeth.
Over the long-term, fixed restoration provides the least problems and more closely resembles nature.
The BioHex™ System is unique because it is placed within the trajectory of the natural jaw bone and does not require the placement of the implant in a paralleled fashion compared with all other implant systems. This means that the need for bone regeneration or grafting in order to place the implant into certain positions or angulations is greatly reduced. This reduces the time, cost, procedures and risk of implant procedures. Further, the restoration of the device does not required traditional dental crown and bridge procedures, reducing chair time and pain for the patient. In addition, the connection between the restoration and the device provides excellent mechanical support and long term functions. 
