A Global Symposium Hosted by the ITI (International Team for Implantology) Exploring Current Trends in Implant Dentistry with an Evidence-Based Approach

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A Global Symposium Hosted by the ITI (International Team for Implantology) Exploring Current Trends in Implant Dentistry with an Evidence-Based Approach
Implant Dentistry: Volume 12(1) March 2003 pp 97-98
The mission of Implant Dentistry is that it is committed to the presentation of material which represents the knowledge and concerns of all implant team members-clinicians, researchers, educators, technicians, auxiliary personnel, and industry representatives. The intention is to represent the totality of the field. It is in this vein that industry members are given the opportunity to share both basic and advanced education materials with readers of this Journal. At this time, for this issue, Straumann USA has submitted abstracts of a symposium. This segment does not imply the endorsement of products by Implant Dentistry or the ICOI. It is strictly a vehicle for the sharing and dissemination of implant-related materials.
There's been too much hype in recent years in implant dentistry. And with that provocative statement, Dr. Daniel Buser (Switzerland) helped introduce the 2002 ITI World Symposium during the opening ceremony. As Co-Chairman of the Scientific Program Committee, Dr. Buser expanded on his remark by explaining that with the mainstream acceptance of dental implant therapy and the advent of unproved imitation implant systems it is important that we [the ITI] stay focused on sound scientific evidence. The other Co-Chairman of the Scientific Program Committee, Dr. Thomas Wilson (USA), reiterated Dr. Buser's message by describing the content of the Symposium as a meeting that focuses on the science and application of implant dentistry. These opening remarks echoed the title of the 2002 ITI World Symposium: Exploring Current Trends in Implant Dentistry with an Evidenced-Based Approach.
More than 2,000 attendees from 45 countries converged in San Diego, California, to attend this 2 1/2 day program, making the bi-annual event one of the largest meetings in history dedicated exclusively to implant dentistry. Seventy-six speakers from 22 countries presented on topics ranging from immediate implant loading and bone growth factors to implant esthetics. Topic segments were concluded by panel discussions that gave audience members an opportunity to ask questions.
The Program
Day one of the program launched quickly into State-of-the-Art of Immediate Implant Loading. This subject would prove to be a strong trend throughout the entire meeting. Various factors surrounding this innovative technique were discussed.
Parallel morning sessions on the second day offered discussions on Bone Growth Factors and New Prosthetic Materials in Implant Dentistry. Later that day parallel clinical forums were presented on the Concepts and Strategies of Implant Therapy; the surgical session covered Innovative Surgical Procedures Related to ITI Implants, and the prosthetic session dealt with Innovative Prosthetic Procedures Related to ITI Implants.
The last day of the conference was devoted nearly entirely to Implant Esthetics. Along with immediate implant loading, the topic of achieving predictable esthetic results with the ITI Dental Implant System was a major theme discussed during the entire Symposium. The effect of biologic width around implants and the interface influences on soft and hard tissues were some of the issues that were covered. Other presenters focused on the importance of understanding patients' esthetic desires and expectations, along with the need for careful treatment planning for all types of cases.
Research Competition
The final day of the event also included an award ceremony for the Research Competition that had been presented the previous day. The winner, Nina Broggini (Switzerland), was awarded first prize for her presentation: Distribution and Intensity of Periimplant Inflammatory Cells in Relation to the Location of the Implant-Abutment Interface. Eight abstracts had been selected for consideration in the Research Competition. The authors each gave a 12-minute oral presentation followed by a 3-minute discussion session. Their abstracts are included in this issue of Implant Dentistry and follow this Symposium summary.