Steri-Oss, Maker of Dental Devices, to Be Acquired by Bausch & Lomb

Steri-Oss, a maker of dental implantable devices, said Tuesday that it will be acquired by eye-care giant Bausch & Lomb, which has recently entered the lucrative dental industry.

Bausch & Lomb spokeswoman Barbara Kelley said that terms of the all-cash purchase of the privately held Anaheim company were not available, but that the acquisition will leave Steri-Oss intact.

“There’ll be no layoffs or move (out of Orange County),” Kelley said.

Steri-Oss, founded in 1985, specializes in an implantable surgical device that can be inserted into the jawbone and then topped with a permanent crown. The procedure is considered more lasting than bridges or dentures. The company has annual sales of about $13 million.

Kelley said Bausch & Lomb, with 1992 sales of $1.7 billion, regarded Steri-Oss as a prime candidate for its move into the dental implant market, which is valued at about $100 million in the United States and $160 million in Europe.

“It is a good market with good growth potential,” she said. “We looked at all the players (in the market) and thought Steri-Oss has a good success record, good management and will fit in well with the company.”

Pending approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the acquisition could be completed by March.