Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases worldwide, characterized by a profound imbalance (dysbiosis) of the oral microbiome that is difficult to reverse. This ecological shift significantly increases the risk of failure in implant therapy, orthodontic treatment, and other dental rehabilitative services. However, no efficient chairside test currently exists to assess oral microbial ecology, requiring clinicians to infer these imbalances from objective clinical parameters. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the ecological dynamics of the oral cavity is essential to ensuring the long-term success of any dental procedure.

This presentation will explore: (i) the ecological principles underlying periodontal and peri-implant health and disease, (ii) clinical and microbiological endpoints of treatments, (iii) the impact of different treatment strategies, including adjunctive systemic antibiotics, on restoring oral homeostasis, and (iv) the potential role of artificial intelligence in developing personalized treatment protocols. By bridging microbial ecology, clinical research, and AI-driven insights, this discussion aims to provide clear, evidence-based guidelines for managing periodontitis and improving the long-term success of dental treatments

Participants will learn:

• Understand the ecological shifts in the oral microbiome that underlie periodontal diseases, and how these changes influence outcomes of restorative and implant therapies.
• Evaluate the impact of various periodontal treatment strategies, including adjunctive systemic antibiotics, on clinical and microbiological endpoints and their effectiveness in restoring oral microbial balance.
• Explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in integrating microbial and clinical data to develop personalized, evidence-based treatment protocols aimed at improving long-term treatment success.

Presenters:

Magda Feres DDS, MSc, DMSc

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Magda Feres (DDS, MSc, DMSc) is the chair of the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. With over 250 publications and 20,000 citations, her research—funded by FAPESP, NIH, and Harvard—has pioneered novel periodontitis treatments, investigated their effects on the oral microbiome, and advanced AI-driven personalized care. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the AAP Clinical Research Award and the IADR Women in Science Award. In 2024, she was honored with the Harvard Medical School Dean’s Innovation Award for the Use of Artificial Intelligence.

Ira Lamster DDS, MMSc

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Dr. Ira B. Lamster received his D.D.S. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (1977), his M.M.Sc. from Harvard University (1980) and a Certificate of Special Training in Periodontology from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (1980). Dr. Lamster served as Dean of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine from 2001 to 2012, and Senior Vice President of Columbia University Medical Center from 2006 to 2012. He was on the faculty of the Mailman School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, from 2012 to 2017. Dr. Lamster is currently Dean Emeritus, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, a Clinical Professor on the faculty of the Stony Brook University, School of Dental Medicine, and a member of the Santa Fe Group.

Dr. Lamster is the author of more than 200 manuscripts and book chapters. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the International Dental Journal from 2015 until 2021. Dr. Lamster’s research efforts have focused on diagnostic testing and risk assessment for periodontal disease, the interrelationship of periodontal disease and systemic disease, the oral health care needs of older adults, and the future of dental education and practice.