Brånemark vs modern Nobel Biocare implants: what actually differs

“Nobel Biocare” is not one connection — it is an umbrella brand covering three different prosthetic standards. The confusion starts when a case simply says “Nobel implant” and the lab has to guess which library to open.

Let's walk through all three systems, from the historic one to the modern lines.

Brånemark System: external hex

Brånemark System is the system modern implantology started with. Its connection is a 0.7 mm external hex on a flat platform, in NP, RP and WP sizes.

The Brånemark external hex became the industry's de facto standard: dozens of manufacturers have produced implants with this geometry, which makes external-hex prosthetics and libraries the most portable in the business. If a patient has had an implant for 15–20 years, odds are it is a Brånemark or one of its clones.

In exocad these cases are covered by libraries marked external hex of the matching platform — including third-party Ti-base manufacturers.

NobelReplace: tri-channel

NobelReplace (historically Replace Select) uses the internal tri-channel connection — the “trilobe”. It is a standard of its own: not compatible with external hex or conical in any way.

One important nuance: there is also NobelReplace CC — same implant body shape but with a conical connection. The word “Replace” in a chart without details is a reason to ask: trilobe or CC?

NobelActive and Conical Connection: the cone

The modern lines — NobelActive, NobelReplace CC, NobelParallel CC — are built on the Conical Connection: an internal cone with a hex index, NP and RP platforms. CC prosthetics are interchangeable across these lines within a platform (we have a separate article comparing Active vs Replace CC in detail).

The Nobel cheat sheet: Brånemark = external hex; classic Replace = trilobe; Active / Replace CC / Parallel CC = cone. Three worlds, zero compatibility between them.

How to pick the library

Identify the connection first (documentation, connection reference charts, scan body), then choose the library by connection and platform — not by the word “Nobel” in the name. Below is a Nobel selection from our catalog: every card lists the connection, platform and file format.

Can't find your combination? Message support before paying — we'll check availability and suggest a compatible option.