3i Biomet®, which makes over 600 different implants, recently merged with Zimmer® to become what is now ZimVie®. There is confusion in the industry over the connection between these components. Although many terms are used interchangeably, the connections are not and are completely different.

Please see ZimVie® for more information.

Some examples of terminology confusion are as follows:

Osseotite

This refers to the surface on the implant body which can be found on both the 3i Biomet Certain® internal connection and on the 3i Biomet® external hex connection.

You may see the term "Osseotite" in the title/name of a component. It is important to remember that 3i Biomet Certain Ossiotite® is an internal connection, while a 3i Biomet Osseotite® is an external connection.

Platform

3i Biomet Certain® platform 3.25 and 3.4 are the same platform and can be used interchangeably. 

Platform switching where the implant name is 4/3, 5/4 or 6/5 will translate to the last digit. For example, 4/3 will be 3.4, 5/4 will be 4.1 and 6/5 will be 5.0.

The first step in determining your needs would be to have a reference part number so that our team can lookup what specific 3i Biomet® implant you are using, such as 3i Biomet Certain® internal connection or 3i Biomet® external connection.

We suggest viewing the Zimmer®/3i Biomet Catalog to help you identify your implant system, connection and platform. 

The DESS® Option

DESS® provides a full line of compatible components. 

3i Biomet Certain® internal connection.

3i Biomet Osseotite® external connection.