In recent years, a number of surgical techniques and biomaterials have been developed to enhance soft tissue regeneration around teeth and implants. Different consensus conferences have focused on the efficacy of the different mucogingival techniques with ultimate aim to enhance the clinical and aesthetic outcome when these procedures are used.

In this presentation, an overview of the factors affecting the outcome of different mucogingival procedures aiming for soft tissue augmentation and regeneration will be discussed and will be linked to possible clinical scenarios.

Learning Objectives

• To have an update on the evidence on soft tissue regeneration around teeth and implants
• To have an update on the impact of vascularization of soft tissues in different surgical procedures.

Professor Nikos Donos is the Director of Research, Professor & Chair of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, Director of Clinical Research, Director of the Centre for Oral Clinical Research at the Institute of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Prof. Donos is also the Director of the ITI scholarship Centre and the Director of the Osteology Research Scholarship Centre, both at QMUL.

In 2009, Professor Donos has been awarded the title of Honorary Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry in Hong Kong, in 2012 the title of Adjunct Professor at the Dental School, Griffith University in Australia,  in 2015 the title of Honorary Professor at UCL-Eastman Dental Institute and in 2019 the title of Honorary Professor, School of Dentistry,  University of Queensland, Australia.

In 2024, Prof. Donos was awarded two prestigious awards: the IADR Distinguished Scientist in Periodontal Disease Award and the EFP Distinguished Scientist Award.  Furthermore, in 2011, Professor Donos was awarded the IADR- Periodontology Group award in Periodontal Regenerative Medicine and in 2019 the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Clinical Research Award for his contribution as co-author for “outstanding published scientific manuscript with direct clinical relevance and application to the practice of periodontics”. In 2004, Professor Donos received the European Association of Osseointegration (EAO)- Basic Science Research Award.

Professor Donos is a Past President of the British Society of Periodontology & Implant Dentistry (BSP) (2020), the Chair of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) Education Committee (2023-2026) and is the Lead for Science Committee and a board member of the Osteology Foundation- Switzerland, as well as the Academic Representative at the Committee of the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI)(UK).

Prof. Donos is the Associate Editor for Periodontology 2000, a topic editor (2022) for Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology and is/has been involved as editorial board member in international peer-reviewed journals in the field of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry. Prof. Donos has published more than 260 peer reviewed publications (Donos N - Search Results - PubMed (nih.gov)), is the editor of 5 textbooks and author/co-author of 15 book chapters in the field of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry. Furthermore, during his career, Professor Donos is very successful in being awarded research grants from different funding bodies and the industry.

Prof. Donos is/has been involved as reviewer/participant in most of consensus conferences for the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), the European Association of Osseointegration (EAO), The International Team for Oral Implantology (ITI) and the Osteology Foundation which provide the most up-to-date evidence- based information for different clinical situations in the field of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry.   

Prof Donos has significant clinical experience in providing advanced treatment modalities to patients suffering from severe periodontal disease. Those modalities include all steps (non-surgical and surgical) for the treatment of periodontal disease including periodontal and bone tissue regeneration and replacement of missing teeth with dental implants. Furthermore, Professor Donos has significant experience in non-surgical and surgical treatment of peri-implant diseases (peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis). All the above clinical problems and their treatments are topics that Professor Donos regularly covers in his lectures on a national and international level.

The efficacy of guided bone regeneration (GBR) for the reconstruction of alveolar ridge defects is well documented. Many fine-tuning efforts have been made for various surgical indications to facilitate and broaden its applications. 

This lecture will focus on the advancement of practical skills with innovative techniques to facilitate soft tissue management for advanced clinical indications.

Learning Objectives

The following aspects will be thoroughly discussed (presentation and live surgeries):

• Simplified Flap design and soft tissue advancement
• Simplified GBR protocols for staged lateral- and vertical grafting (Balloon Technique)
• Suturing techniques

Frank Schwarz is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Oral Surgery and Implantology at the Centre for Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Clinical Periodontology and Editorial Board Member for Periodontology 2000, Clinical Oral Implants Research and Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. He is a Member of the Board of Directors of the European Association for Osseointegration – EAO, Executive Board Member of the Osteology Foundation, and Past President of the German Association of Oral Implantology (DGI). He was awarded the André Schröder Research Prize in 2007, the Miller Research Prize in 2012 and the Jan Lindhe Award in 2017.

Over the last 15 years there was a progressive effort by clinicians to transfer the experience of periodontal plastic surgery at peri-implant level. A progressive number of randomized clinical trials has demonstrated how the most modern reconstructive techniques can also be very effective at the implant site. The aim of the following conference is to focus on the main soft tissue reconstructive techniques at the implant level with particular reference to sites with high aesthetic value.

Learning Objectives

• To differentiate different possible conditions for different techniques at implant site

• To identify sites where collagen matrix may be indicated

• To identify sites where connective tissue graft may be indicated

Professor of Periodontology and Head of Research Unit in Periodontology and Periodontal Medicine at Florence University, Italy. He is also the Director of the 3-year full-time Master Program in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry accredited by EFP. He is the current President of SIdP, Italian Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry.

He won several international prizes for clinical research, including the SIdP H. Goldman prize, the Jaccard prize from EFP and the R. Earl Robinson award for periodontal regeneration from AAP. He is the several original articles mainly focused on reconstructive periodontal and peri-implant surgery. Member of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology editorial board, he is also reviewer for the most important international journals.

Extraction and immediate implant placement is increasingly considered treatment option. This approach has the benefit to provide immediate satisfaction of patients. However, key-aspects must be taken into consideration to insure successful and esthetic outcomes, especially in extraction sites with unfavorable hard and / or soft tissue conditions. This lecture aims to address the benefits and the limits of extraction and immediate implant placement as well as the specific role of adjunctive soft tissue augmentation procedures such as connective tissue grafts. Biological principles, clinical strategy and surgical techniques will be highlighted through clinical research data and illustrated by case presentations.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the biology of immediate implant procedures

• Identify the indication for immediate implant procedures

• Identify the need of CTG combine to immediate implant placement

• Get familiar with the CTG techniques combine to immediate implant placement

Professor France Lambert graduated in dentistry in 2002 and completed her post- graduate program in Periodontology at the University of Liège, Belgium in 2005. Thereafter, she received a 1-year ITI scholarship to expand her education in implantology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and defended her PhD thesis on regenerative biomaterials in 2011 while acting as a Head of Clinic at the University of Liège.

Currently, she is Professor and Head of the Department of Periodontology, Oro-dental Surgery and Implant Surgery (https://www.uperio-liege.be) at University of Liège in Belgium and the director of the EFP-accredited post graduate program in periodontology and implant dentistry. She is also the co-director of the dental Biomaterials Research Unit (d-BRU) (https://www.d-bru.uliege.be). Her clinical activity is exclusively dedicated to periodontology and implantology and her research focuses on the validation of innovative protocols in implant dentistry, hard and soft tissue regeneration, and the development of smart regenerative materials.

France Lambert is the Past President of the Belgian Society of Periodontology (2013- 2016), Delegate at the European Federation of Periodontology (since 2017), Chair of the ITI Belux section (since 2017) and an Affiliate of the European Academy of Esthetic dentistry (since 2013). She is also a member of the ITI Research Committee (since 2021) and was a member of the Expert Council of the Osteology Foundation (2015-2019). She is lecturing internationally and is the author of numerous scientific articles and acts as a reviewer for several journals in her field.

There is no doubt that suturing is an indispensable part of each periodontal and implant surgical intervention. It should guarantee wound stability and maintain wound integrity in the postoperative period. There are countless articles on ideal suture materials, techniques and knot configurations but surprisingly few informations about the impact of the fine tuned sensimotor control of the surgeon’s hand or the many, consciously or unconsciously, taken intraoperative decisions during the process of wound closure.

It is the goal of the present lecture to deconstruct suturing and discuss the badly neglected technical and nontechnical parts that underpin successful wound closure and uneventful mucosal healing.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the impact of mechanical forces applied to the wound margins and how they trigger wound healing
• Know the basic exercises that help him to improve the tactile sensation of the fingers for a more precise coordination of fine hand movements
• Be familiar with the biological structures of the mucosal tissues and understand their behaviour in a quiescent state and upon wounding

Rino Burkhardt graduated from the University of Zurich and received his doctorate from the Medical Faculty of the same University. He is an EFP (European Federation of Periodontology) and SSP (Swiss Society of Periodontology) board certified specialist in periodontology and received his Masters degree from the Medical Faculty of the University of Berne (MAS in Periodontology).

Since 1996 he runs a private clinic in Zurich, limited to periodontology and implantology. Currently, he is the vice president of the Clinical Research Foundation for the Promotion of Oral Health and holds an honorary professorship at the University of Hong Kong and a visiting professorship at the University of Michigan. Besides his clinical activities he is an associate professor and scientific collaborator at the University of Zurich. He is an active member of the Swiss Society of Periodontology (SSP), the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (EAED), the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO), and former president of the Swiss Society of Implantology (SGI).

Predictable coverage of multiple adjacent recessions and single deep mandibular recessions remains a challenge for clinicians. Substantial evidence indicates that using the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT), the laterally closed tunnel (LCT), or a combination of both (MCAT+LCT), in conjunction with biologics, connective tissue grafts, collagen-based soft tissue replacement materials, or their combinations, can lead to predictable coverage of single and multiple adjacent gingival recessions, while also providing long-term stability. This presentation will outline the biological and clinical advantages of tunneling approaches in various clinical scenarios and propose a decision-making process on when and how to use collagen matrices for soft tissue replacement in recession coverage.

Learning Objectives

• To provide the biologic rationale and treatment philosophy for the use of MCAT, or combination or MCAT + LCT for recession coverage.
• To propose a decision-making process on when and how to use collagen-based soft tissue replacement materials for recession coverage.
• To illustrate the step-by-step procedure in various clinical scenarios through clinical cases and surgical videos.

Anton Sculean is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Periodontology and currently the Head of the Dental Research Center (DRC) of the School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.

Prof. Sculean has authored more than 560 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 42 chapters in periodontal textbooks and has delivered more than 800 lectures at national and international meetings.

He is Editor in Chief of Periodontology 2000, the N° 1 ranked journal in Dentistry, Oral Surgery and Medicine and is currently listed as the top-rated expert in Periodontics in the world https://www.expertscape.com/ex/periodontics. His h-Index is 104 (google scholar) and 70 (web of science).

Prof. Sculean has received numerous research awards, including the Distinguished Scientist Award from the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), the Eminence Award of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), the Anthony Rizzo Young Investigator Award from the Periodontal Research Group (PRG) of the IADR, the IADR/PRG Award in Regenerative Periodontal Medicine, the Scientific Award of the Lasers & Bio-photonics Scientific Group of the IADR, the Distinguished Teacher Award from the European Orthodontic Society, and Honorary Membership in the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). He has been awarded honorary doctorates (Dr. h.c.) by Victor Babes University Timisoara, Romania, Semmelweis University Budapest, and Carol Davila University, Bucharest, Romania.

He is the Past President of the Periodontal Research Group of the IADR, the Swiss Society of Periodontology, the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), and the International Academy of Periodontology (IAP). He is a board member of the Executive Committee of the EFP, the Osteology Foundation, and the Oral Reconstruction Foundation. Currently, he serves as the President of the Continental European Division (CED) of the IADR.

His research interests focus on periodontal wound healing and regeneration, regenerative and plastic- esthetic periodontal surgery, use of antibiotics, antiseptics, and novel approaches such as lasers and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of periodontal and peri-implant infections.

Currently, there are a variety of successful techniques available for hard-and soft tissue regeneration in esthetic implant dentistry. However, there is still a need to reduce the invasiveness and to improve predictability in the esthetic zone. This has led to research projects assessing the influence of soft- or hard-tissue grafting in order to achieve a natural and esthetic result.

With these studies and with the clinical experience it became very obvious that soft tissue grafting in the anterior zone is of outmost importance for a natural esthetic result.

In order to further reduce the invasiveness and improve patient care the next level for soft tissue regeneration needs to be achieved. On the level of the soft tissue there is a need to replace the invasive techniques of autogenous grafts and replace them by volume stable xenogenic soft tissue substitutes.

The lectures will provide you with a lot of practical information of all steps necessary to achieve an optical esthetic and healthy result. 

Learning Objectives

• You will learn the impact of soft tissue volume grafting for an optimal esthetic result and will compare it to the effect of hard tissue grafting
• You get an evidence-based update on the performance of soft tissue grafting with autogenous connective tissue versus xenogenic soft tissue augmentation
• You will learn all important practical tips and tricks to achieve a predictable result with xenogenic soft tissue substitute in the clinical practice

Ronald E. Jung is trained in prosthodontics, implant therapy and oral surgery. He is the Chairman and Clinic Director of the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, at the Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland.

In 2011 he received his PhD doctorate degree of the University of Amsterdam, ACTA dental school, The Netherlands.

In 2013 he worked as Visiting Associate Professor at the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston, USA.

Dentistry at the University of Zürich.

He is an accomplished and internationally renowned lecturer and researcher, best known for his work in the field of hard and soft tissue management and his research on new technologies in implant dentistry.

He is currently the President of the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO),
Past President of the Swiss Society of Reconstructive Dentistry and member of the Board of Directors of the Osteology Foundation.

Learning Objectives

• In which scenarios and at which time-point are soft tissue augmentations indicated?

• Provisional crowns: When do I need them?

• Abutment materials and shape of abutments, what is the standard today?

Junior Partner in private clinic Schneider & Michel
2023 - Part-time Senior Teaching and Research Assistant the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, Center of

Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Peri-implant mucosa consists of the soft tissues surrounding dental implants, which form during the wound healing process following implant and abutment installation. The quantity and quality of these tissues, particularly the width of keratinized and attached mucosa and their thickness may play a pivotal role in maintaining health, stability, and often influence aesthetic outcomes. Their significance has been a subject of research and ongoing discussions at several consensus meetings, with the objective of proposing clinical recommendations. Implant sites with an inadequate keratinized mucosa width have been associated with greater soft tissue inflammation and mucosal recession. Likewise, thin mucosal thickness is often associated with aesthetic complications, while thicker soft tissue is linked to better aesthetics, reduced mucosal recession, and marginal bone stability. Hence, in patients with dental implants exhibiting insufficient keratinized mucosa width or thin mucosal thickness, soft tissue augmentation procedures involving surgical interventions and the use of autogenous grafts or soft tissue substitutes may be considered. Understanding the role of soft tissues and the impact of various procedures on dental implant clinical outcomes is essential during the decision-making process and management of implant patients. 

Learning Objectives

• Understand and apply the available evidence on the importance of keratinized mucosa and soft tissue thickness in relation to peri-implant health and aesthetics

• Discuss the efficacy of different reconstructive surgical interventions using autogenous grafts and soft tissue substitutes 

Dental School National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2005) – Postgraduate program in Periodontics University of Michigan, USA (2011) – Master of Science (Periodontics), University of Michigan, USA (2011) - ITI Scholarship, Eastman Dental Institute, University College of London, UK (2012) – Diplomate American Board of Periodontology (2012) – Clinical Teaching and Research Fellow, Eastman Dental Institute, University College of London, UK (2012-2015) - Clinical Research Fellow and Lecturer, Queen Mary University of London, UK (2015-2020) - Honorary Clinical Lecturer Queen Mary University of London, UK (2020-) – Osteology Foundation Expert Council Member and Lead of National Osteology Group UK (2020-) – Private practice limited to Periodontology and Implant surgery (2012-).

Dr Jeniffer Perussolo has completed her DDS at the State University of Ponta Grossa (UEPG), Brazil, in 2013, complemented by a period at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA. Subsequently, she pursued advanced education at the State University of Maringá (UEM), Brazil, achieving specialization in Periodontology, a Master's, and a Ph.D. degree.

She was honoured with a 1-year Osteology Foundation Scholarship, during which she conducted research at the Centre for Oral Clinical Research at Queen Mary University in London (QMUL), UK. Following this period, she continued working at same institution as a Clinical Research Fellow. Presently, she holds the esteemed position of Clinical Lecturer in Periodontology at QMUL, UK, actively engaging in teaching and conducting clinical research in various domains, including periodontology, implant dentistry, wound healing, and regenerative therapy.

Dr. Perussolo has made significant contributions to the field, evidenced by her publications in high-impact journals and authorship of book chapters. Additionally, she remains an active member of several esteemed scientific societies and committees, notably the Osteology Foundation Expert Council, National Osteology Group UK Leadership Team, and more recently the European Association of Osseointegration as part of the Junior Academy.