Meet the “Giants” in Periodontology: looking back into the Future

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory non-communicable disease (NCD) characterised by the destruction of the tooth-supporting apparatus (periodontium), including alveolar bone, the presence of periodontal pockets, and bleeding gums. It is initiated by the accumulation of a microbial biofilm at and below the gingival margin, which activates the host immune-inflammatory response. The latter drives biofilm dysbiosis, triggering a dysregulation of local immune-inflammatory processes that destroy the periodontal tissues

Periodontitis presents a major public health problem due to its high prevalence and associated morbidity. It is the most common NCD in humans with 1.1 billion people experiencing severe periodontitis globally. If untreated, severe periodontitis progresses to tooth loss, causing disability by impairing chewing, speech, and aesthetics. It significantly impairs quality of life, is a source of social inequality, harms general health, and is associated with significant dental and medical care costs. Periodontitis is also independently associated with other highly prevalent chronic inflammatory NCDs, including Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Not surprisingly, topics such as “periodontitis”, “periodontal disease”, “dental implants”, and “peri-implantitis” have dominated published research in dentistry over the last 10 years. 

Several of the top-rated internationally renowned clinician scientists from around the world who have made major contributions to the field and have shaped modern periodontology over the last 20 years will share their insights with regard to present and future periodontal research. This symposium will offer a unique opportunity to meet these “giants” and interact with them on a personal level. Young dentists and academicians in particular are encouraged to join this event.

Speaker:

• Prof. Annette Moter, Berlin/Germany: “Infection landscapes: insights into oral biofilms”
• Prof. Iain Chapple, Birmingham/UK: “Back to the future: a journey through periodontal pathogenesis”
• Prof. William Giannobile, Cambridge/USA: “Precision periodontology: AI and Omics to customize patient care”
• Prof. Bruno Loos, Amsterdam/The Netherlands: “Utopia in periodontal research”
• Prof. Mariano Sanz, Madrid/Spain: “From periodontitis to peri-implantitis: how to approach the prevention and treatment of destructive peri-implant diseases.”
• Prof. Maurizio Tonetti, Shanghai/China: “Can we beat periodontitis? Reflections on why it is special and what we may do about it.”

Moderation: Prof. Søren Jepsen ML and Prof. Christian Kurts ML, Bonn, Germany

ML = Member of the Leopoldina