Symposium Emeritaat Prof. dr. Hugo De Bruyn

13:00-13:30 Ontvangst

13:30-15:00 Prof. Dr. Ann Wennerberg: Trends and development of oral implant surfaces 1983-...

In the last 40 years oral implants have become a natural part in prosthetic treatment options. Improved clinical results have been reported over the years, to part depending on better implant design and implant surface properties. Implant surfaces have in particular been modified with respect to topography and chemistry. The former minimally rough turned implant has been replaced by a moderately rough topography. Many of the moderately rough implants also includes added or spontaneously formed nanostructures. To further improve bone healing and maintenance of marginal bone level a combination of roughness and chemical alteration have been used. The majority of commercial oral implants are today moderately rough with or without chemical addition. The lecture will include;

• What is a moderately rough surface
• Common way to alter an oral implant surfaces
• Reported clinical outcome with various surfaces

Prof. Dr. Tomas Albrektsson: Reasons for marginal bone loss

Marginal bone loss around dental implants should be understood as a consequence of the body’s foreign-body response rather than a primary disease process. Osseointegration itself represents a controlled chronic inflammatory reaction, where implant-surrounding bone has limited vascularity and innervation compared with natural teeth. In most cases, this response reaches a stable equilibrium with minimal bone loss. However, disturbances to this balance—such as implant design factors, patient-related conditions, or surgical and prosthetic inadequacies—can intensify the foreign-body reaction and trigger progressive bone resorption. Importantly, early marginal bone loss is not infection-driven; secondary biofilm-mediated complications arise only after significant bone loss has already occurred. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for prevention and long-term implant success.

15:30 - 17:00 Prof. Dr. Stefan Vandeweghe and Dr. Stijn Vervaecke: “40 Years of Implant Research and Fighting Dogma’s”

This lecture reflects on four decades of implant research shaped by clinical studies and long-term patient follow-up, with particular focus on the evidence-based approach by Professor Hugo De Bruyn. Throughout these years, numerous dogmas—ranging from strict loading protocols to assumptions about implant design, soft-tissue requirements, and peri-implant health—have been challenged by solid clinical data. Key findings from large cohort studies and multi-center trials demonstrate that implant success is influenced more by patient-related factors and clinical execution than by rigid traditional rules. Evidence on immediate loading, short implants, and maintenance strategies illustrates how clinical practice has evolved when dogma is confronted with real-world outcomes. The lecture emphasizes the importance of continuous evaluation, critical reflection, and adapting protocols based on scientific evidence rather than tradition alone.