CARTER COUNTY, Okla. -- After reports in May that the 3M Corporation was interested in buying Imtec of Ardmore, the deal was officially completed this week.

It is no secret that the top brass at 3M had been eyeing the unimposing one-story building on North Commerce Street in Ardmore that is Imtec, and we knew that Imtec management did sign a tentative agreement to sell out. As of Wednesday, that transaction is complete.

The signage appears to be in a state of transition, and civic leaders are very excited about this latest corporate presence in Ardmore. They say the future of a homegrown business turned world leader in dental implants and scanning technology is assured.

Imtec officials say the two companies are a natural fit.

"It's my understanding that 3M has been growing its health care division quite rapidly in recent years, so I think that this acquisition of Imtec is a complimentary part to that business plan to really emphasize and focus on growth in the health care sector," Imtec spokesman Derrick Harvey said.

Imtec specifically deals with orthodontics and scanning technology.

While company executives are not releasing details of the sale, such as the price tag on this whole deal, they are saying that the Ardmore facility will remain in place, that it will be business as usual, and even say expansions are possible down the road.