Zimmer Implant Compatibility: How to Identify the Platform and Order the Right Parts

Restoring a Zimmer dental implant with compatible components can save time and cost, but only if the parts match the implant’s connection and platform exactly. This guide explains how to identify a Zimmer implant, why “Zimmer Biomet” covers more than one connection, and how to check a part before you order it.

Zimmer and Biomet 3i are not the same connection

Zimmer Dental and Biomet 3i were separate implant companies that came under one owner, and their dental lines now sit with ZimVie. The shared name causes confusion, but the implants were designed separately:

• Zimmer systems such as the Screw-Vent and Tapered Screw-Vent use Zimmer’s own internal hex connection.
• Biomet 3i systems such as Osseotite, T3 and Certain use 3i’s connections: an external hex, or the Certain internal connection.

Is Biomet 3i compatible with Zimmer? No. Components made for a Zimmer Tapered Screw-Vent connection do not fit a Biomet 3i Certain or external hex implant, and the reverse. Identify which family the implant belongs to before choosing parts.

Step 1: Identify the implant system

• Check the records. The implant sticker in the chart or the surgical report names the system, diameter and platform.
• Ask the surgeon’s office if the restoring dentist didn’t place the implant.
• Read the radiograph. Thread design, apex shape and collar help narrow it down, but a radiograph alone is not proof. Confirm before ordering.

Step 2: Identify the platform, not just the diameter

An implant’s body diameter (for example 3.7 or 4.7 mm) is not the same as its prosthetic platform, the connection size that the abutment seats on. Zimmer Tapered Screw-Vent implants restore on 3.5, 4.5 and 5.7 mm platforms, and several body diameters can share one platform. Abutments, transfers, analogs, Ti-bases and screws must all match the platform.

Step 3: Match the connection type

Compatibility is about the connection: hex size, depth, screw thread and seating surface. Surface names such as MTX or Trabecular Metal describe the implant body, not the connection, so they don’t change which parts fit. See what makes a part compatible and internal hex vs conical connection.

Surcam parts for Zimmer implants

Surcam’s internal hex line of implants, abutments and prosthetic components is made to fit the standard internal hex platform used by Zimmer, as stated in Surcam’s catalog. That covers healing caps, cemented abutments, multi-unit abutments, Ti-bases and scan bodies, impression copings, analogs and prosthetic screws.

• Browse the Zimmer-compatible collection.
• Check the dental compatibility chart for platform matches.
• Prices start at $15 for abutments, $14 for healing caps, $40 for multi-unit abutments and $70 for implants.
• Surcam has no commercial relationship with Zimmer Biomet or ZimVie. These are Surcam-made compatible parts, not original Zimmer components.

Not sure which platform you have? Send us the implant details before you order and we’ll confirm the match.

Frequently asked questions

Is Biomet 3i compatible with Zimmer?

No. Biomet 3i and Zimmer implants use different connections. Parts made for a Zimmer Tapered Screw-Vent don’t fit a 3i Certain or external hex implant.

What are the Zimmer Tapered Screw-Vent platform sizes?

3.5, 4.5 and 5.7 mm. Several implant body diameters restore on each platform, so check the platform, not only the diameter.

Do MTX or Trabecular Metal implants need different parts?

No. MTX and Trabecular Metal describe the implant surface and body. The restorative connection is set by the system and platform.

Are Zimmer-compatible parts the same as original Zimmer parts?

No. They are made by another manufacturer to fit the same connection. Surcam components are Surcam-made and Surcam has no relationship with Zimmer Biomet or ZimVie.

How do I confirm a part fits before ordering?

Confirm the implant system and platform from the records, then match the part to that platform. If in doubt, contact us with the implant details.

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Zimmer®, Zimmer Biomet®, ZimVie®, Biomet 3i®, Screw-Vent®, Tapered Screw-Vent®, Osseotite®, T3® and Certain® are trademarks of their respective owners.