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interview Nobel Biocare Global Symposium 5 “This is the most comprehensive congress I have ever taken part in” An interview with scientific committee chairmen Drs. Bertil Friberg and Peter Wöhrle by Dental Tribune International n Drs. Friberg and Wöhrle, could you please introduce yourselves to the readers by telling them how you became involved in the scien- tific committee of the 2016 Nobel Biocare Global Symposium? Dr. Bertil Friberg: I have been a member of the Brånemark Clinic in Gothenburg, Swe- den, since its founding in 1986. For the past 30 years, I have been working in close collab- oration with Nobel Biocare regarding lec- tures, research and clinical activities. Dr. Peter Wöhrle: During my doctoral and postdoctoral training at Harvard in the 1980s, I was introduced to the work of Prof. Per-Ingvar Brånemark. Ever since then, implant den- tistry has been the focus of my professional career. Over the years, I have become increas- ingly involved in research and teaching in ad- dition to clinical work. My formal training in the interrelated areas of implant dentistry, namely surgery, prosthetics and laboratory technology, allows me to help improve out- comes based on understanding the effects and synergies on each other and streamlining of the different aspects of treatment. What did you consider most important in compiling the scientific program for the symposium? Friberg: This is the most comprehensive congress I have ever taken part in. It covers all topics of importance in daily implant prac- tice, the laboratory, preclinical evaluations and treatment planning, implant placement and prosthetics, maintenance considerations, complications and how to handle them, and how to interpret result data. Wöhrle: This symposium has something to offer for every attendee, as it covers all as- pects of topics related to implant dentistry. We went to great lengths to develop several different tracks based on specific topics of interest. Once the attendee decides which topic is most interesting, the schedule allows and encourages full exploration of that sub- ject via lectures, master classes and hands-on courses. We will have multiple activities ev- ery minute of the symposium, offering un- precedented learning opportunities based on individualized interests and scheduling. The theme of this year’s event is “Where innovation comes to life.” Which innova- tions can participants look forward to in particular? Friberg: In addition to various new com- ponents, including NobelParallel, NobelActive WP and angulated screw channel abutments, which aim to facilitate the work of clini- cians, participants will learn about the latest in digitization, handling research data, cell biology and osseointegration, as well as the latest in the treatment and prevention of periimplantitis. Wöhrle: There will be ample innovations presented during the symposium, culminat- ing in the innovation assembly forum on Saturday afternoon. The entire session will be devoted to new and upcoming products and trends in implant dentistry. This is an event not to be missed. What are the implications of these new developments for daily clinical practice, and how can both dentists and patients benefit? Friberg: These developments will help facilitate treatment in the posterior region, avoid cementation in the anterior region and prevent complications. They also offer various implant designs for specific clinical situations and represent further developments in hard- and soft-tissue management. Wöhrle: The overriding goal of signifi- cant innovations in implant dentistry is to al- low practitioners to achieve better long-term clinical outcomes in more patients. The graft- less approach and the digital workflow, in- cluding 3-D planning and implant placement with CAD/CAM-generated surgical templates, are prime examples of how innovations can transform long-established protocols for the benefit of the patient. Both of you have many years of experience in implant surgery. How has the field pro- gressed in the last 20 years, and how can events like the Nobel Biocare Global Sympo- sium support dentists in keeping up with these changes? Friberg: This meeting addresses the main innovations we have seen over the past several years, such as improved techniques in both surgery and prosthetics. With the technology and methodology today we are, for example, able to treat severely compro- mised cases in terms of poor bone volume and poor bone texture much better. At the symposium, participants will have the oppor- tunity to interact during treatment planning sessions, and ahead of the event, they have been able to suggest topics of individual in- terest that will be presented by various speakers. Wöhrle: Major milestones in the last 20 years have been the introduction of the TiUnite surface, significantly decreasing early failures in certain applications and groups of patients, and immediate loading in select cases, shortening treatment time and thus cost for patients. Currently, the digi- tal revolution—CT-based planning programs, CAD/CAM-generated surgical templates, and digitally designed and manufactured resto- rations—has changed the way we practice dentistry today, and it will change it even more in the future. Digitization is becoming increasingly im- portant in all kinds of industries and dentistry is no exception. Will the symposium also address this topic, as outcomes of implant placement may become significantly more predictable with digital technologies? Friberg: In my opinion, computer plan- ning of implants is much more important when treating patients with severely re- sorbed jaw bone and in patients in whom im- plants may interfere with various anatomical landmarks, and for whom exact positioning of the implants may be the difference be- tween success and failure. Straightforward cases are normally solved without digitiza- tion. Wöhrle: Digitalisation will absolutely be addressed. Digital implant planning and placement deliver more efficient care with consistently better outcomes, especially in the partially edentulous patient. Placing an implant that is restorable is no longer the aspiration; with today’s technology, one can do better. Properly exe- cuted guided surgery, combined with proper treat- ment planning, elevates the level of excellence while increasing efficiency and safety. Another major topic in implant dentistry is the treatment and prevention of periimplan- titis. What is the current scientific evidence on this issue? Friberg: This is a topic addressed in many congresses today. We must keep in mind that there is still not an accepted de- finition of periimplantitis and, thus, preva- lence figures vary a great deal. Several ef- forts have been made to gather expertise from all over the world to provide consensus statements on the problem. At the moment, we do not sufficiently understand the periimplantitis issue, its site specificity, its sometimes very poor response to treatment, the impact of microbes, the for- eign body reaction and so on. However, all these topics will be addressed at the sympo- sium to provide clinicians with the latest research on periimplantitis. Wöhrle: As Dr. Friberg just explained, there is no consensus on the definition of periimplantitis, its cause or even its treat- ment. I am looking forward to the latest research and updates that will be presented during the symposium. 7 Dr. Bertil Friberg Dr. Peter Wöhrle