For the current Oral Regeneration Topic "Digital Technologies in Oral Regeneration", Mia Geisinger spoke with Giulio Rasperini, first author of our key publication "3D-printed bioresorbable scaffold for periodontal repair". In this interview, you will learn more about the potential uses of bioprinting in periodontal regeneration.    According to Rasperini, saving a tooth is more than just protecting the patient's living tissue – it's a worthwhile effort. In his quest to preserve teeth, he has explored tissue engineering methods for reconstructing complex structures like the periodontium. Printed biomaterials represent promising tools, offering customisation for size, configuration, and architecture of a specific defect. Rasperini expects that future research will shed more light on bioprinting in periodontal regeneration, leading to personalised treatment plans and improved long-term patient outcomes.

For the current Oral Regeneration Topic, Luca Gobbato spoke with Jan Cosyn, first author of our key publication on "Immediate Implant Placement". In this interview, you'll learn about the main key take aways of the 10-year prospective study, which offers valuable insights into the long-term outcomes of immediate placed implants. ​ According to Cosyn, immediate implant placement can be a safe clinical procedure and also a fast treatment approach that can greatly benefit patients. By ensuring that certain pre-requisites are met and implementing immediate provisionalisation, you can achieve a predictable outcome and ensure patient satisfaction. Furthermore, Cosyn reveals the crucial factors that will help you achieve a perfect three-dimensional implant position.

For this Oral Regeneration Topic, Lorenzo Tavelli spoke with Martina Stefanini, first author of our key publication on the management of peri-implant soft tissue defects. It aimed to describe an approach to restore a buccal soft tissue dehiscence combined with the loss of the peri-implant papillae and loss of periodontal attachment on the adjacent teeth.  In the interview, Stefanini reveals how the focus of implant dentistry has shifted from bone to soft-tissue management over the years, and she describes the increased aesthetical awareness of patients and clinicians during the prosthetic rehabilitation of implant placement. While working with a surgical guide, ensuring sufficient soft-tissue thickness and using a connective tissue graft are her holy grails when placing an implant in the aesthetic zone. Stefanini reveals even deeper knowledge and crucial details that lead her to a successful clinical and aesthetical outcome.

For the current Oral Regeneration Topic Nikolaos Tatarakis spoke with Bjarni Pjetursson and his key publication on Sinus Augmentation. It aimed to systematically review the outcome of sinus floor elevation and the survival of implants inserted in combination with sinus floor elevation. In the interview, Pjetursson also reveals what has changed clinically since the study was published and how this would affect the study design today. Other interesting points Pjetursson raises are the much-discussed clinical practice of using a membrane over the sinus window, the graft material and whether or not to use a graft.  

For the current Oral Regeneration Topic Jia-Hui Fu spoke with Daniel Thoma and his key publication on Soft Tissue Augmentation/Thickening. It aimed to test whether soft tissue augmentation with a newly developed collagen matrix (CM) leads to volume gain in chronic ridge defects, similar to those obtained by an autogenous subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG). The interview begins with the surprising fact that Thoma is actually primarily trained in prosthodontics and implant dentistry, and he only started to realise the importance of soft tissue when he had to restore implants. As he said, 20 years ago implants were all about bone, and it was only over time that the realisation that a good amount of soft tissue was associated with a good aesthetic outcome took hold. After years of using the autogenous soft tissue, he became interested in alternatives to the latter to increase patient comfort. 

The study by Istvan Urban and his co-authors is a key-publication on Vertical Ridge Augmentation. It aimed to evaluate the results of vertical guided bone regeneration (GBR) with particulated bone graft material, and the long term success of implants placed in the regenerated bone. Isabella Rocchietta talked to Istvan Urban about this retrospective study online on 28 April 2021. Unfortunately, a personal meeting was not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed about how Istvan Urban started to become interested in Vertical Ridge Augmentation procedures, the cases that were included in the study and which impact it had on the further development of the treatment of Vertical Ridge Augmentation. They also talked about which mentors and experts influenced Istvan during the early years of his career while developing his technique, as well as the advice he has for the future generation.

The study by Pierpaolo Cortellini and his co-authors is a key-publication on periodontal regeneration. A series of investigations for was undertaken to evaluate the extent and predictability of periodontal regeneration with barrier membranes in deep infrabony defects. Martina Stefanini talked to Pierpaolo Cortellini about this study online on 22 October 2020. Unfortunately, a personal meeting was not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed about how the study was developed and which impact it had on the further development of periodontal regenerative therapies. Pierpaolo Cortellini also talked about how his surgical technique has changed since this key publication, as well as his high ethical standards to publish a technique only after he has thoroughly tested it and he knows it works.

The study by Frank Schwarz and his co-authors is a key-publication on peri-implantitis. It compared the ligature-induced peri-implantitis with naturally occurring peri-implantitis defects. Alberto Monje talked to Frank Schwarz about this study online on 28 May 2020, suring a time when personal meetings were not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed about defect configuration and implications this study had on the daily clinical practice in the treatment of peri-implantitis. But Frank Schwarz also shared some insights how he treats peri-implantitis cases as a clinician, and shared his huge experience from his department where about 400 patients per year are undergoing reconstructive measures. 

Nadja Nänni in converation with Christer Dahlin, first author of the following key publication: Reference: Dahlin C, Sennerby L, Lekholm U, Linde A, Nyman S.: Generation of new bone around titanium implants using a membrane technique: an experimental study in rabbits. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 1989 Spring;4(1):19-25.  The study by Christer Dahlin and his co-authors is a key-publication on Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR), that celebrates already its 30th anniversary in 2019. It describes the first time that a membrane was used with the aim of regenerating bone around implants by providing a secluded space for osteogenesis and to prevent soft-tissue ingrowth. Nadia Nänni talked to Christer Dahlin about this study during a congress in Bern in November 2019. Christer Dahlin explained how the idea for this study was developed, the implications it had, and he shared some personal insights and background information on his early career.

Giorgio Pagni in conversation with Giovanni Zucchelli about his key publication on Root Coverage. Reference: Zucchelli G, Amore C, Sforza NM, Montebugnoli L, De Sanctis M: Bilaminar techniques for the treatment of recession-type defects. A comparative clinical study. J Clin Periodontol 2003; 30: 862–870. The study by Giovanni Zucchelli and co-authors, among the Massimo De Sanctis, is a key publication in the field of root coverage. Giorgio Pagni talked to Giovanni Zucchelli about the study, the impact that it today still has, and about what is important nowadays in muco-gingival surgery – and what might be in the future. He also talked about the important role that several mentors played during his early career. The interview was recorded during the International Osteology Symposium in Barcelona, 25-27 April 2019.