Current Techniques for Minimally Invasive and Predictable Soft Tissue Grafting Around Teeth and Dental Implants

Dr. Shayan Barootchi is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine. He completed his Periodontal training and obtained his Master of Science degree at the University of Michigan after finishing a two-year post-doctoral fellowship program in the same institute.  Dr. Barootchi has conducted numerous research projects in the field of periodontal and peri-implant plastic surgery, immediate implant therapy, and implant disease management, ranging from basic and translational research on large and small animal models to human studies and clinical trials. His work has led to over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and manuscript and has been the recipient of national and international prestigious awards, such as the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Foundation Balint Orban Clinical Research Award, the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Schoor Research Award for best scientific article in the year, and the Best Clinical Innovations Award by the Academy of Osseointegration.  He lectures internationally and serves on the editorial board and as a scientific reviewer for many renowned journals in Dentistry.  Through his research, he has pioneered the application of novel technologies for diagnosis of implant diseases, and new minimally invasive treatment methods for performing soft tissue grafting procedures, along with designing specific kits, surgical instruments and prototypes for performing soft tissue grafting procedures. Currently, Dr. Barootchi’s clinical research focuses on microsurgical and minimally invasive approaches for soft tissue augmentation around teeth and dental implants at the time of immediate implant therapy.

Dr. Lorenzo Tavelli is full-time assistant professor at the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Division of Periodontology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, and a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology (ABP).  He graduated from the University of Milan and then completed his three-year residency in Periodontics and his Master of Science at the University of Michigan. Dr. Tavelli then joined the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at University of Michigan as a clinical lecturer for one year before moving to the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Division of Periodontology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston where he is currently a full-time assistant professor.  Dr. Tavelli’s focus in clinical research and daily practice is microsurgical and minimally invasive soft tissue grafting procedures around teeth and dental implants, where he has been pioneering the use of novel technologies, such as Power Doppler Ultrasonography,  for assessing tissue perfusion changes and the surgical outcomes. Dr. Tavelli has been extensively lecturing worldwide on these topics at the main scientific symposia. He has published more than 100 scholarly publications in the main international peer-reviewed journals while serving as associate editor for Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research and as a reviewer for several well-known journals in periodontics and implant dentistry.  He was the recipients of several research awards, such as the 2022 American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Foundation Nevins Clinical Research Fellowship, the 2021 Goldman Clinical Research award from the Italian Society of Periodontology, the 2020 AAP Balint Orban Research Competition, the 2019 AAP Foundation School Research Award, the first prize at the research competition at the 2020 National Osteology Symposium and the first prize at the research competition at the 3rd International Symposium on Soft tissue management around teeth and implant in Florence.      

Dr. Hom-Lay Wang is a Professor and Director of Graduate Periodontics at the University of Michigan. Dr. Wang received his DDS from Taipei Medical College in Taiwan, his MSD from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, and PhD from Hiroshima University in Japan. He has co-edited two textbooks, published more than 50 book chapters, and reviewed more than 770 scientific articles.  Dr. Wang currently serves on the Task Force for Future Science Strategy for the American Academy of Periodontology, the Nevins Teaching and Clinical Research Fellowship Selection Committee, and as President-Elect of the Academy of Osseointegration.  He is a Diplomate and former Chair and Director of the American Board of Periodontology, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, a Fellow and former Board Director of AO, a Diplomate and former President and Board Director of the ICOI, and a former President of Midwest Society of Periodontology.