André Schroeder Prize to Frank Schwarz

Dr Frank Schwarz from the Department of Oral Surgery, Westdeutsche Kieferklinik, at the University of Düsseldorf in Germany is the winner of the 14th André Schroeder Research Prize.

The coveted annual prize for the advancement of dental research and development was awarded by Straumann's President and CEO, Gilbert Achermann at the ITI World Symposium in New York in April. Dr Schwarz was selected by an independent jury for his scientific investigation of the effects of surface hydrophilicity and microtopography of titanium dental implants on soft and hard tissue integration. The winning research investigated early tissue reactions to Straumann's third generation implant surface technology, SLActive, in comparison with conventional roughened and machined surface implants. It concluded that both soft and hard tissue integration was mainly influenced by surface hydrophilicity, rather than by microtopography. The research demonstrated that the attachment of soft gum tissue as well as bone attachment were enhanced by the new hydrophilic surface. One important implication of these findings is that the improved soft tissue attachment around the implant forms a natural barrier to oral bacteria and thus may prevent infection. These and other observations are being investigated further in a clinical setting and could translate into enhanced implant treatment outcomes and a higher standard of patient care.