The first Straumann-botiss YoungProAward in Regenerative Dentistry was presented on December 4 to Andreas Pabst at the botiss bone & tissue day event in Salzburg, Austria. The award was presented by Dr. Drazen Tadic, Managing Partner of botiss biomaterials and Dr. Dirk Probst, Head of Biomaterials Product Management at Straumann.
The Award is a bi-annual prize worth €10,000 and was created by Straumann and botiss to foster and encourage the development of young dental professionals in the field of regenerative dentistry. It is open to all dental professionals under the age of 35, including practitioners, hygienists, students and researchers. Applicants are invited to submit original work that contributes to the advancement of oral tissue treatment/care and can feature basic, clinical and applied studies, practical work experience, techniques, case studies, etc. The submissions are judged by a team of internationally recognised experts, academics and clinicians in the field.
The winner
Andreas Pabst, DMD, is a resident in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at the Federal Armed Forces hospital in Koblenz, Germany. He holds a degree in dentistry and one in medicine from the University Medical Centre Mainz, where he is currently a researcher and doctoral student.
The winning entry and its clinical relevance
Entitled ‘In vitro and in vivo characterisation of biocompatibility and biomechanical properties of a new acellular collagen matrix (mucoderm®)’, Dr. Pabst’s winning entry concerns research into the use of tissue-graft products for regenerating gum tissues.
Soft tissue augmentation is still one of the main challenges in implant and periodontal therapy. While autografts (i.e., grafts from the patient’s own tissue) are used successfully, the procedure causes significant discomfort and inconvenience for the patient including pain and swelling. It may fail because of inflammation or other complications and is not always possible. A promising alternative is offered by mucoderm, which is a purified natural collagen-elastin matrix, suitable for a diverse range of soft-tissue grafting indications.
Dr. Pabst’s work included a series of tests that demonstrated biocompatibility of the graft material and revascularisation of the tissue, with no cytotoxic or inflammatory reactions. He also examined the biomechanics and rehydration of mucoderm, which is supplied in a dry state. His work and results give clear insights into the clinical application of the material and were commended by the jury for their clinical implications and relevance.
