France Lambert & Eric Rompen: Proper soft tissue handling to improve the outcome of implant restorations

Unstable soft tissue seal at implants favors an inflammatory reaction that can lead to facial recession, pocket formation and loss of bone support. The more stable and tight the soft tissue seal, the more predictable the outcome of implant rehabilitation. A major criterion influencing this biological interface is the type, quality and thickness of the peri-implant mucosa.

How to optimally preserve the pre-existing keratinized and fibrous mucosa when planning for an implant? What impact does design have? What should be the material composition of the trans-mucosal components knowing that a cell adhesion is not possible on any material? These questions will be addressed by the lecturers and well as improved methods respecting the soft tissue interface.

Prof. France Lambert graduated with a DDS degree in dentistry in 2002 and also completed a postgraduate program in periodontology at the University of Liège. In 2005, she received a one-year scholarship to expand her education in implantology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Currently she is Associate Professor in Dental Biomaterials and Head of the Clinic in the Department of Periodontology and Oral Surgery Chaired by Professor E. Rompen, at the University of Liège. Her clinical activity is dedicated to periodontology and implantology. The focus of her research is bone regeneration, biomaterials and soft tissue integration around teeth and implants. She is the author of several international publications and is the President of the Belgian Society of Periodontology.

Prof. Eric Rompen is the Head of the Department of Periodontology, Dental Surgery and Dental Medicine and a Professor of Periodontology and Dental Surgery at the University of Liège, Belgium. He also leads the postgraduate programs in periodontology and implantology and is the former President of the Belgian Society of Periodontology (2001–2004).