Which is better, Straumann BLX or NobelActive?

Neither is better for everyone. Straumann BLX is built for grip in soft bone and for same-day teeth; NobelActive is designed for sockets and soft bone other implants find difficult. The right choice depends on your bone, your treatment plan, your budget and your dentist's experience with the system.

What is the price difference between Straumann BLX and NobelActive?

Straumann BLX is usually a premium (€€€) option; NobelActive is usually a premium (€€€) option. Actual prices depend on the clinic, country and what is included. Request a free quote to see both side by side for your case.

Can I ask my dentist to use a different brand?

Yes, you can ask. Many clinics offer several brands at different price levels. Ask why they recommend a particular system and whether they use it regularly.

Model vs model

Straumann BLX vs NobelActive

Two premium tapered implants both designed to grip in soft bone and in fresh extraction sockets.

The main differences

All are premium (€€€) options, so price level alone won't separate them.
Different materials. Straumann BLX: Titanium–13 zirconium alloy (Roxolid®) · NobelActive: Commercially pure titanium.

Show only differencesHighlighted rows differ.

Attribute	Straumann BLX€€€ PremiumGet a quote	NobelActive€€€ PremiumGet a quote
At a glance
Brand	Straumann	Nobel Biocare
Brand country	🇨🇭 Switzerland	🇨🇭 Switzerland
Price level	€€€ Premium	€€€ Premium
Type	Everyday bone-level implant	Everyday bone-level implant
Designed forSituations where dentists often consider it	Implants placed straight after a tooth is removed; Soft bone, where extra grip helps	Implants placed straight after extraction; Soft bone
Design
MaterialWhat the implant screw is made of	Titanium–13 zirconium alloy (Roxolid®)	Commercially pure titanium
SurfaceHow the surface is treated so bone grows on	SLActive® (hydrophilic) or SLA®	TiUltra™ (earlier: TiUnite®)
ConnectionHow the tooth part attaches	TorcFit™ conical, 6 positions	Internal conical with hex
Shape	Fully tapered	Expanding taper, drilling blades at apex
DiametersHow thick the implant is	3.5 – 6.5 mm	3.0, 3.5, 4.3, 5.0, 5.5 mm
Lengths	6 – 18 mm	7 – 18 mm
Public record
FDA 510(k) clearance	Yes: 3 records (e.g. K173961)	Yes: 3 records (e.g. K071370)
Good to know	—	Ø3.0 mm NobelActive implants are limited to single front teeth (maxillary lateral and mandibular incisors).

Design differences are not evidence that one implant gives better results. Your bone, your dentist's experience and your aftercare matter more. Specifications come from FDA 510(k) summaries and manufacturer documents. Open each model for sources.

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Technical comparison for dentists (sourced specifications)

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Comparison of Straumann BLX, NobelActive
Attribute	Straumann BLX	NobelActive
Overview
Manufacturer	Institut Straumann AG	Nobel Biocare Services AG
Status	Currently marketed	Currently marketed
Implant type
Implant levelWhere the top of the implant sits: level with the bone, or higher up in the gum.	Bone level Manufacturer-stated Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Bone level (submerged-type root-form) FDA summary describes a threaded root-form implant; explicit 'bone level' wording to be confirmed from current IFU. Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015)
Body shapeThe overall shape of the screw that goes into the jaw.	Fully tapered body Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K173961 — Straumann BLX Implant System (510(k) summary) (2018)	Expanding taper body Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015)
Material & surface
MaterialWhat the implant screw itself is made of.	Titanium–13 zirconium alloy (Roxolid®) Regulatory recordManufacturer documentation2 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K173961 — Straumann BLX Implant System (510(k) summary) (2018) Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Commercially pure titanium Titanium grade (reported as grade 4 in the TiUltra IFU) not yet confirmed by direct IFU reading — shown as not verified. Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015)
Material grade	Not verified	Not verified
SurfaceHow the outer surface is treated so bone can grow onto it.	SLActive® (hydrophilic) or SLA® Manufacturer-stated The 2024 technical document lists both SLActive and SLA article numbers. Market availability of each surface varies by country. Manufacturer documentationRegulatory record2 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024) FDA 510(k) K173961 — Straumann BLX Implant System (510(k) summary) (2018)	TiUltra™ (current); TiUnite® on earlier NobelActive implants FDA K202344 describes a surface treatment that preserves hydrophilicity (anodization-based with a protective salt layer). Regulatory recordManufacturer documentation3 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K202344 — TiUltra Implants and Xeal Abutments (510(k) summary) (2020) FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015) Conical connection implants & prosthetics — Product overview (86168 B GB 1906) (2019)
Connection
ConnectionHow the visible tooth part (abutment) attaches to the implant.	TorcFit™ — conical connection with Torx-style engaging feature Manufacturer documentationRegulatory record2 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024) FDA 510(k) K173961 — Straumann BLX Implant System (510(k) summary) (2018)	Internal conical connection with hex interface Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K202344 — TiUltra Implants and Xeal Abutments (510(k) summary) (2020) Differently described in another source: Internal hex The 2015 FDA summary classifies the connection simply as 'internal hex'. The 2020 summary is more specific. Both kept; the more specific and more recent record is shown first. Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015)
Connection angle	7° conical prosthetic connection (plus 22.5° shoulder on WB) Manufacturer-stated Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Not verified
Anti-rotation index	6 positions (Torx-style) Manufacturer-stated Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Not verified
Prosthetic platforms	RB (Regular Base, neck Ø3.5 mm) and WB (Wide Base, neck Ø4.5 mm); identical inner connection for all diameters Manufacturer documentationRegulatory record2 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024) FDA 510(k) K173961 — Straumann BLX Implant System (510(k) summary) (2018)	3.0, NP, RP, WP Regulatory recordManufacturer documentation2 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015) Conical connection implants & prosthetics — Product overview (86168 B GB 1906) (2019)
Size range
DiametersHow thick the implant is. Your dentist chooses based on your bone.	Ø3.5, 3.75, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.5 mm (endosteal) Manufacturer-stated Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Ø3.0, 3.5, 4.3, 5.0, 5.5 mm Regulatory recordManufacturer documentation2 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015) Conical connection implants & prosthetics — Product overview (86168 B GB 1906) (2019)
LengthsHow long the implant is. Shorter ones are used where there is less bone.	6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 mm Manufacturer-stated Not every length exists in every diameter: 6 mm is not listed for Ø3.5; 18 mm is listed up to Ø5.0 only. Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	7, 8.5, 10, 11.5, 13, 15, 18 mm (nominal) Nobel's product overview notes the actual TiUltra implant length is 0.5 mm shorter than the nominal length. Availability per diameter varies and is not yet mapped here. Regulatory recordManufacturer documentation2 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015) Conical connection implants & prosthetics — Product overview (86168 B GB 1906) (2019)
Macrogeometry
Thread design	Self-cutting threads; pitch 1.7–3.1 mm depending on diameter and length Manufacturer-stated Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Double-lead thread with reverse cutting flutes Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015)
Apex	2 or 4 apical cutting edges depending on diameter Manufacturer-stated Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Drilling blades on apex Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015)
Neck / collar	Neck height 1.0–2.0 mm with micro-threads (0.5–1.0 mm), varying by length Manufacturer-stated Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Not verified
Indications
Immediate function (labeling)Whether a temporary tooth may be fitted on the same day, according to official labeling. What the regulatory labeling permits. It is not evidence that immediate loading works better with this system.	US labeling: immediate function on single-tooth applications when good primary stability and appropriate occlusal loading are achieved Labeling wording, not evidence of clinical superiority. Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K173961 — Straumann BLX Implant System (510(k) summary) (2018)	US labeling: single or multiple units; immediate, early or delayed loading when sufficient primary stability and appropriate occlusal loading are achieved Regulatory record1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015)
Restrictions & cautions	Manufacturer advises particular care placing Ø3.5 mm implants in molar or other high-load situations Manufacturer-stated Manufacturer documentation1 source · verified 27 Sept 2026 Straumann® BLX Implant System — Basic Information (Technical handling information), document 702115 (2024)	Ø3.0 implants: single-unit only; maxillary lateral incisor or mandibular central/lateral incisor Regulatory record2 sources · verified 27 Sept 2026 FDA 510(k) K142260 — NobelActive (510(k) summary) (2015) FDA 510(k) K202344 — TiUltra Implants and Xeal Abutments (510(k) summary) (2020)
Surgical protocol
Max insertion torque	Not verified	Not verified — in research queue
Regulatory & safety
FDA 510(k) records linked	5 earliest 5 Jun 2018	5 earliest 3 Aug 2007
FDA recall records found	None found openFDA search “BLX”, 27 Sept 2026. No result is not proof of no recall.	Z-2207-2020 · Terminated Concerns a labeling error on one reference (TiUnite-era internal NP 3.5×15 mm). It is not a finding about the NobelActive design as a whole. openFDA search “NobelActive”, 27 Sept 2026. No result is not proof of no recall.

Highlighted rows differ between systems. A difference in design or labeling is not evidence that one system gives better clinical results.

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