Save the tooth: Our Mission
Niklaus Lang
Moderator: Shogo Takashiba
Keynote Lecture
Answering the question of maintaining a compromised tooth or extracting it and maybe replacing it with an implant is certainly
not an easy task and probably best dealt with by stating: "It depends on a variety of aspects both patient-related, skill of the therapist-related and economic in nature". However, for the practicing dentist, a relatively reliable answer is of utmost importance, especially when reconstructions are planned to restore adequate function, obtain satisfying esthetics and obtain and maintain oral health. Therefore, the question will be addressed for various situations: For the healthy tooth with an almost intact periodontal support, for the periodontally compromised, but successfully treated abutment tooth, for the devitalized, but root canal treated tooth, for the endodontically compromised tooth with periapical pathology. These discussions will emphasize the importance of maintaining natural teeth even if they are affected by pathological findings. Post therapeutic treatment prognoses are well documented, especially for survival and complication rates of fixed partial dentures on tooth abutments, on implants and on both combined tooth and implant abutments. The major question is not to discuss the alternative between tooth abutments versus implant abutments, but to
discuss predictability and longevity of teeth following active periodontal or endodontic therapy. In that respect, implants do
not provide a higher value to the patient. They are not chosen to replace teeth, but to help replace already missing teeth. Indeed, our mission is to save teeth. It has to be realized that the long- term documentation of implant survival and complication rates are at its best 10 years old and that very few of the systems sold today have more than 5-year data to offer. However, even for teeth jeopardized by periodontal or endodontic conditions the literature provides a number of long-term studies to answer the above proclaimed question with high reliability always considering the single patient situation with great respect. Let us face the challenge and keep the teeth rather than extracting them prematurely as they have a documented higher longevity than do oral implants.
Future Perspectives in Periodontology: Shaping Tomorrow's Practices and Innovations
Masfueh Razali/ Alpdogan Kantarci
as Moderators
Session 4
Microbe in perio/omics
Purnima Kumar 🇺🇸
L1
As dentists, it behoves us to not only treat oral diseases, but to treat the patient. This requires a comprehensive understanding of how systemic and environmental factors may influence oral health, as well as how oral diseases and their management can in turn impact overall health. This presentation will feature over 20 years worth of research invested in investigating the circular relationship between oral health and overall health, and the interplay between genetic influences, lifestyle habits and systemic health.
Immuno-Modulation in Periodontology
Thomas Van Dyke 🇺🇸
L2
Periodontitis, the most common inflammatory disease of man, is an infectious/inflammatory disease associated with dysbiosis of the commensal oral microbiome. The mildest, reversible form of the disease, gingivitis, is ubiquitous, affecting >90% of people, but periodontitis, with irreversible tissue destruction, affects more than 47% of the US population. Endogenous lipid mediators of resolution, including analogues under development for human use, have provided new approaches for the management of periodontitis through host response modulation using specialized proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs). Preclinical studies have demonstrated that SPMs are potent when topically applied in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis, demonstrating significant regeneration of soft tissues and reduction in bone loss to disease. Clinical trials in humans reveal these compounds are safe and a specific lipoxin analog reduces gingivitis and established periodontitis. These first in human studies demonstrate safety and efficacy of a pro-resolving mimetic for the treatment of periodontal diseases in man. Newer studies of bone grafting materials combined with SPMs reveal more complete and rapid new bone formation, demonstrating great potential for its clinical use in periodontology.
Regenerative Minimally Invasive Non-Surgical Therapy for the Treatment of stage III and IV Periodontitis Patients
Ahmed Gamal 🇪🇬
L3
While conventional non-surgical periodontal therapy (CNST) remains a cornerstone in managing mild to moderate periodontitis, its effectiveness can be limited in advanced cases. In stages III and IV periodontitis, deep residual pockets and increased tooth mobility often persist despite CNST—frequently necessitating the use of splints. Minimally invasive non-surgical techniques (MINST) have emerged as a promising alternative, offering improved patient comfort and potentially enhanced clinical outcomes. However, there remains a need to further refine these approaches, particularly in the context of splinted teeth, where evidence on long-term outcomes is still evolving. This presentation will explore an innovative strategy: the introduction of space fillers, with or without biologics, applied through a minimally invasive approach, and to evaluate the clinical outcomes of MINST compared to CNST in the treatment of splinted teeth affected by stage III and IV periodontitis.
COFFEE BREAK & TRADE BOOTH VIEWING
Scientific and Clinical Updates in Implant Therapy
Norul Husna/Ahmed Gamal
as Moderators
Session 5
(Peri-) Implant Disease Risk Assessment: The Practicality
Joerg Meyle 🇩🇪
L1
Implant therapy has become an integral component of modern dental treatment, offering reliable and predictable outcomes. However, the long-term success of dental implants is influenced by a variety of systemic and local factors—some of which are modifiable and can be managed proactively. Systemic conditions such as periodontitis and diabetes mellitus have been identified as significant systemic risk factors for early peri-implant inflammation. Locally, factors such as accessibility for maintenance of optimal oral hygiene play a critical role in disease prevention.
This lecture will highlight the importance of a comprehensive, preventive approach to implant care, beginning even before implant placement. Primordial and primary prevention strategies—including the appropriate selection of implant types (bone- or tissue-level)—will be discussed, alongside the vital role of individualized maintenance protocols in secondary prevention. Emphasis will be placed on risk assessment using the Implant Disease Risk Assessment (Heitz-Mayfield, 2020) tool, which provides clinicians with a structured framework to tailor follow-up intervals based on individual patient profiles.
Drawing from the current clinical guidelines of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), this session will explore these key concepts through various clinical scenarios, offering practical insights into maintaining peri-implant health and optimizing long-term treatment outcomes.
Implant Therapy in Periodontally Compromised Patients
Jeanette Chua 🇲🇾
L2
Over the past two decades, dental implants have seen exponential growth in adoption across the profession, building on a foundation established nearly 60 years ago. As implant technologies and surgical techniques continue to evolve rapidly, they have significantly simplified the clinical process—sometimes to the point where diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning may be overlooked. This becomes especially critical when treating periodontally compromised patients, where the complexity of care demands an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to achieve both functional and aesthetic outcomes.
This presentation will explore the key considerations in determining whether to retain or extract compromised teeth, and the factors that influence successful rehabilitation in such patients. Emphasis will be placed on the role of digital technology in facilitating comprehensive care planning and enhancing predictability in treatment outcomes. Through clinical case discussions, we will contrast traditional and modern workflows in managing periodontal patients, and examine how to strike the right balance between aesthetics and function.
We will also reflect on the continuously evolving philosophy of “less is more” versus “more is less” in treatment planning and how to make evidence-based decisions that support long-term stability. Ultimately, this session aims to guide clinicians in developing thoughtful, patient-centered care strategies that prioritize long-term oral health and satisfaction.
Guided Bone Regeneration: Factors Affecting the Outcome
Nikos Donos 🇬🇧
L3
A prerequisite for the successful placement of dental implants in an ideal, prosthodontically driven position is the presence of a minimum amount of bone height and width at the recipient site that will provide a functional and cosmetic implant borne restoration for the patient. In cases where the amount of bone is not adequate for implant placement, different ridge augmentation procedures have been suggested.
In recent years, a number of experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that following the use of the GBR principle in combination with dental implants, bone regeneration around the exposed implant threads can be achieved. A number of biologic, technical and material related factors have been associated with the final outcome of these procedures.
In this presentation, the available evidence provided by a series of experimental and clinical studies will be critically appraised and the healing potential of the GBR principle with or without the combined use bone grafts under different conditions will be evaluated. The critical points of the surgical procedures related to factors affecting the healing outcome will be presented and linked to possible clinical scenarios. Furthermore, the current knowledge based on relevant systematic reviews will also be discussed.
LUNCH & TRADE BOOTH VIEWING
Peri-implantitis: Exploring Current Trends and Advancements
Mohd Zamri/Vince Iacono
as Moderators
Session 6
Similarity and Difference of Periodontitis and Periimplantitis
Vincent Iacono 🇺🇸
L1
Peri-implantitis, much like periodontitis, is a multifactorial inflammatory disease associated with dysbiotic biofilms. While both conditions share pathogenic mechanisms—including the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and the RANK–RANKL pathway leading to bone loss—the anatomical and biological differences between a tooth and a dental implant significantly affect disease progression.
Unlike natural teeth, implants lack a periodontal ligament and its associated connective tissue attachment with Sharpey’s fibers. This structural difference results in a more vulnerable interface between the implant and surrounding tissues. Of particular importance is the circumferential zone of peri-implant soft tissue, which is frequently compromised by dysbiotic biofilms. These microbial challenges often lead to pronounced erythema, suppuration, and a more rapid and aggressive breakdown of bone-to-implant contact compared to periodontitis.
Moreover, peri-implant sites may harbor distinct ecological niches, with emerging data suggesting a lower microbial diversity in peri-implantitis lesions compared to periodontal pockets. While both diseases share common risk factors—such as poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, and lack of regular maintenance—peri-implantitis also involves unique contributing elements. These include potential foreign body reactions, anatomical differences in soft and hard tissues, and specific surgical and prosthetic factors.
This presentation will explore the complex pathogenesis of peri-implantitis, emphasizing both the shared and distinguishing features from periodontitis. Special attention will be given to the clinical relevance of the peri-implant soft tissue zone and its critical role in disease susceptibility and progression.
New Strategies for Antimicrobial and Surgical Treatment of Peri-implantitis
Jamil Shibli 🇧🇷
L2
The use of dental implants to restore partially and totally edentulous subjects is a successful treatment in Contemporary Dentistry. Overall, the global market for dental implants was valued at US$4 billion in 2024, with over 12 million implants placed. However, the prevalence of biological complications related to dental implant-supported restorations grew simultaneously. The prevalence of peri-implant diseases ranged between 0.4 and 43% after 5 years, and the treatment of this dental biofilm-related infection is currently under active research.
Surgical and non-surgical approaches were developed to eliminate the peri-implant infection and to restore the health conditions. Therefore, this lecture will discuss new strategies to overcome peri-implantitis based on antimicrobial and regenerative treatment, and their impact on long-term maintenance. Systemic and local risk conditions that impact peri-implantitis treatment will also be pointed out and discussed based on the evidence-based literature.
Etiology and treatment of soft tissue pathologies around implants
Anton Sculean 🇨🇭
L3
Dinner (by invitation only)