The 2014 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Osseointegration Recap

Implant dentistry practitioners from 45 countries come together for the Academy of Osseointegration2014 Annual Meeting

More than 2,000 clinicians attended the 29th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Osseointegration (AO), which took place from March 6-8 in Seattle. With the theme of “Real Problems, Real Solutions,” the event featured presentations from internationally renowned speakers offering their experience and expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and use of the latest techniques and technologies to correct dental implant problems and prevent future complications.

The conference, which recorded the fourth largest attendance in its history, included 624 international attendees representing 45 countries and more than 1,100 exhibitors that showcased products and services to support implant dentistry.

“As a GP who only places about 75 implants a year, it is invaluable for me to get to be a part of AO where I can get the best level of education possible,” said Dr. Dean Daniele, General Practitioner, Kamloops, Canada. “We are so lucky that no matter how many implants we perform, we get to come together and learn.”

Annual meeting kicks off with Implant Retreatment Symposium

Thought leaders in the field of implant dentistry kicked off the AO Annual Meeting on Thursday with its Opening Symposium. Past, present, and future clinical challenges — especially as related to patients presenting with issues related to implants that are at least 25 years old — were the focus of the sessions.

Educational events on Thursday also included the Corporate Forums, 36 industry-hosted presentations, which highlighted recent innovations from a collection of the industry’s leading companies.

Approximately 75 new AO members — who reflected the increased professional diversity experienced by AO in recent years — were introduced to the organization at a special New Member Breakfast meeting on the Annual Meeting’s opening day.

More than 120 clinicians gathered at The Pike Brewing Company Thursday evening for AO’s first-ever Young Clinicians’ Reception.

Day 2 features International Symposium and high-flying fun

This year’s Annual Meeting featured an exciting innovation: AO’s first-ever International Symposium dedicated to one country: Japan. The Symposium, which took place the second day of the conference on Friday, was met with enthusiastic feedback from both international and U.S. attendees.

“I was very happy to present at the first-ever International Symposium dedicated to one country — and I was also very happy that the AO selected Japan,” said presenter Dr. Tomohiro Ishikawa. “We are very honored. I hope this opportunity will be impactful to further build the relationship between AO and Japan, and our countries.”

Also taking place on Friday were targeted sessions focused on surgery, restoration, and clinical innovations.

Day 2 ended with the AO President’s Reception held at Seattle’s Museum of Flight — attended by more than 1,300 meeting attendees, leaders, exhibitors, and guests.

“It was an absolutely amazing evening that truly celebrated all that AO has accomplished together over the past year,” said Dr. Stephen Wheeler, 2013-14 AO President, whose term concluded at the Annual Meeting. “I was honored to see so many new faces from around the world, as well as to spend time with longtime friends and colleagues who work so hard to make this event a success and to help AO achieve the premier status we enjoy today.”

Annual meeting concludes with optimism and energy

The Closing Symposium, which took place on its final day, Saturday, was well attended and forward-looking with its topic, “Our Better Future.”

Presenters addressed advances in important topics such as digital dentistry, implant prosthodontics, as well as biotechnology, and the future.

Also on Saturday was a program for the allied staff, “Real Problems, Real Solutions in the Business of Implant Dentistry,” which was attended by representatives from practices specializing in periodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, and general dentistry.

Record number of clinicians presented original research and clinical cases

During the conference, a record number of more than 250 clinicians presented their original research and clinical cases of interest in the field of implant dentistry. AO awarded seven of these clinicians for best abstract poster presentations. To view the winning abstracts, please visit https://www.osseo.org/2014_review.html.

“Research at the AO Annual Meeting squarely focused how science supports clinicians who are fully committed to providing an evidence-based approach to treatment to ensure the best outcome for their patients,” said Dr. Lyndon Cooper, the meeting’s scientific program chair who also presented research. “Presentations ranged from digital planning, new esthetic techniques and prevention strategies to molecular strategies and stem cell biology. Abstract presentations explored original scientific and clinical research, clinical innovations, and case presentations that could help shape the future of implant dentistry.”

Highlights of AO’s Annual Business Meeting

Dr. Joseph Gian-Grasso, a periodontist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was elected to serve as President of AO. Dr. Gian-Grasso will serve with the 2014-2015 AO Board of Directors, also named during the meeting.

“I am honored to continue AO’s commitment to establishing a nexus where specialists and generalists from around the world can come together to learn and stay up-to-date on the rapidly advancing clinical research and innovations in the dental implant and tissue engineering industries,” said Dr. Gian-Grasso. “Having been with AO for nearly 30 years, I have grown to truly appreciate its unique role, the commitment of its board of directors, and the enthusiasm of its members to provide the best patient care possible.”

Tomas Albrektsson, MD, PhD, ODhc, Gothenburg, Sweden, a close co-worker with Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark in the development of osseointegrated dental implant treatment in the 1980s, also was presented the Nobel Biocare Brånemark Osseointegration Award. The award is given annually by the Osseointegration Foundation to honor an individual whose impact on implant dentistry is exemplary in any or all of the Foundation’s mission categories: research, education, and charitable causes.