With profound sadness, the Implant Practice US team reports the passing of Carl E. Misch, DDS, MDS, PhD, a pioneer, innovator, and inspiration to the dental profession, who passed away on January 4, at 69 years old.
Dr. Misch graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1973 from the University of Detroit Dental School and then received his Prosthodontic Certificate, Implantology Certificate, and Master’s Degree in Dental Science from the University of Pittsburgh. The University of Yeditepe in Istanbul, Turkey, and Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania, each awarded Dr. Misch a PhD (honoris causa). His other post-graduate honors included 12 fellowships in dentistry, including the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, Royal Society of Medicine, American Association of Hospital Dentistry, and the Academy of Dentistry International.
He founded the Misch International Implant Institute in 1984, and it grew to be the primary implant education forum for six dental school specialty residencies. As Director, Dr. Misch trained more than 4,500 doctors in a hands-on, yearly forum of education in implant dentistry.
The Misch Implant Institute noted on its Facebook page, “Dr. Misch’s dream was for his principles and concepts to be taught forever as part of his legacy. In doing so, Dr. Misch chose his close friend and colleague of over 30 years, Dr. Randolph Resnik, to succeed him. Dr. Resnik has been by Dr. Misch’s side for every surgical course over the last 30 years and has been the primary speaker for the past year at all Misch programs.”
Dr. Resnik told Implant Practice US, “Carl Misch was a true pioneer who stimulated a renaissance in implantology that will continue to touch everyone he met. Along with his gifts as a highly skilled clinician, he had an uncanny ability to engage and teach fellow dentists what he had learned along the way. He unselfishly gave others the gift of his knowledge, as his true belief was to always ‘share what you have learned.’ Carl Misch was, in the truest sense of the words, a pioneer, teacher, clinician, friend, and colleague who will be missed by all.”
Other colleagues offered their recollections of Dr. Misch.
“Carl’s long career in dental implantology, his lectures, articles, and textbooks have done more to educate and advance implantology then any other single person. He and his contributions will be missed.”
– Dr. Gregori M. Kurtzman
“I am very saddened by the passing of a dear friend and colleague. I feel very fortunate to have had Carl in my life as a valued friend as well as a fantastic teacher. I was privileged to be with Carl in August, September, and October 2016 doing what he loved most in the last months of his life — teaching with conviction and passion the principals of implant dentistry that must be followed to insure success. I first met Carl in 1977, when he came to Cincinnati to watch me do live surgical demonstrations in placing aluminum-oxide root-form implants. He demonstrated at that time his tremendous thrust for knowledge regarding implant surgery and prosthetics that he carried the remainder of his professional life.
“When Carl wanted to do something, whether it was professional or private, he did it. I first witnessed this in about 1987 in a course that we did together in Iowa. The course was at a hotel in late summer or early fall. Carl decided that he wanted to go swimming at the end of the day after we finished the course. The swimming pool was closed and was surrounded by a tall chain link fence. That didn’t deter Carl. He climbed that tall fence and jumped into the pool. At that moment, I thought that this guy is strong, smart, determined, and nothing is going to stop him from accomplishing his goals.
“May Dr. Misch rest in peace. I will miss him, but he will continue to live in my good memories. I am thankful that in our last course that we did together this past October, I got the chance to tell him that I love him.” – Dr. Jack Hahn
“Every dentist who places dental implants and every patient who has ever had a dental implant or will ever need one owes Dr. Carl Misch a debt of gratitude. Without his unwavering faith in dental implants being the best solution for tooth replacement, we would not be where we are today. He took the arrows to the back so that we can provide our patients the very best in care. Many of us lost a friend, mentor, and a colleague in the passing of Dr. Misch; the planet lost a giant who truly made a difference in millions of peoples’ lives and left this world in a better place.” – Dr. Justin Moody
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Misch Legacy Endowment www.icd.org/global-visionary-fund. The Misch Legacy Endowment, a joint venture of the International Congress of Oral Implantology and the International College of Dentists, is a $1 million campaign to advance oral healthcare worldwide.
Stay Relevant With Implant Practice US
Join our email list for CE courses and webinars, articles and mores
