Simply Iconic: Where FAVAGEHI, MEHRDAD Stability Meets Esthetics

MEHRDAD FAVAGEHI, DDS, MS

Dr. Favagehi graduated from Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 1994 and completed his specialty training in periodontics and dental implant surgery at The Ohio State University in 1997, where he also received a Master of Science degree in oral biology and a research award for groundbreaking research on surgical wound healing. He has been an adjunct faculty member at the Department of Periodontics at the VCU School of Dentistry and has received a teaching award from the American Academy of Periodontology. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Virginia Dental Society,, and Academy of Osseointegration, as well as a Diplomate in the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Favagehi is an active presenter at many dental meetings both in the U.S. and internationally

Simply Iconic: Where Stability Meets Esthetics

With a growing number of implant solutions on the market today, and each manufacturer offering implants with various surface treatments, tissue and bone levels, and implant designs, it can be difficult to know which system to rely on. For Mehrdad Favagehi, DDS, MS, the choice is simple. Here, he shares why Implant Direct’s Simply Iconic—an implant designed for biomechanical stability and optimum esthetics—is the ideal choice in a variety of clinical scenarios, offering an expansive range of implant diameters and just two prosthetic platforms from which to choose.

What do you advise clinicians to look for when choosing an implant system?

Look for scientifically proven features like a stable connection; a roughened implant surface to maintain bone; platform switch to medialize the microgap away from bone; smooth, highly polished restorative components; and an emergence profile that promotes soft-tissue integration.

I also recommend compatibility of components. While I don’t advocate for switching components between manufacturers, the lab will be very happy to have an implant that is compatible with industry standard components.

What makes the Simply Iconic implant unique?

The Simply Iconic implant is unique because it allows me to separate restorative platform choices from implant surgical options. With traditional implants, a wider implant diameter automatically dictates larger components that may not be indicated for the ideal restoration. With the Simply Iconic implant, I can choose a wider implant diameter based on surgical reasons without limiting the restorative dentist to wider implant restorative components.

Can you share a clinical example where Simply Iconic would be an ideal choice?

In an extraction site in the anterior zone, sometimes you need a 4.7-mm diameter or even a 5.7-mm implant to engage the walls of the extraction socket. But with traditional implants, using 4.7- or 5.7-mm components in the esthetic zone could be a disaster! With Simply Iconic, my restorative components can be an industry standard 3.4-mm conical connection for ideal implant emergence profile and esthetics—even for wider body 4.7- or 5.7-mm implants. This makes Simply Iconic perfect for immediate implant placement.

Do you feel this implant system is a good choice for general dentists and those who may be new to placing implants?

Yes. It has all the modern features of a next-generation implant, including a stable conical connection, platform switch, and a proven implant surface. The wider platform switch options allow for better bone level maintenance, which lessens the need to remove tissue around implants to fit restorative components. The self-tapping threads are very useful yet are not too aggressive and dangerous like some other implants on the market. Very aggressive self-tapping threads can drive the implant into anatomical locations that should be avoided.

What does Implant Direct offer that’s exclusive from other implant manufacturers?

Simplicity. While the more popular implant manufacturers offer a much greater set of implant systems with various surfaces, tissue and bone levels, and hybrid implant designs, just comparing the catalogues or online product choices shows that the Implant Direct systems are much simpler to master.

Instead of offering many different implant components from which to choose, Implant Direct offers options that are primarily based on just 2 proven restorative connections: the internal hex and the conical connection. This simplicity makes it ideal for busy clinicians who must rely on their team members to order components and maintain an inventory in their clinics.