What did the little boy Anton want to become when he grew up?

I was always interested in 2 things: one was bodybuilding (very important 😊) and the other was medicine or biology or dentistry. As a competitive bodybuilder, my idol was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has an extraordinary philosophy on how to succeed in life. And in the field of dentistry, my father was a good role model and gave me his unconditional support. From the very beginning, my goal was to become one of the leaders in my field because, in my philosophy, I cannot imagine setting out to do something and not making it to the top. Even as an undergraduate student, I became very interested in periodontology since this was the only dental discipline underpinned by strong biological principles. I am very interested in the biology behind any periodontal concept and the potential clinical applications. However, I still train regularly in the gym as sport continues to play an important role in my personal life.

What were the first challenges that you had to face as a student at university?

The biggest challenge was that I had to learn a lot 😊! It was a whole new environment for me. I was in Budapest, a large city where there is a lot to distract you from your studies. The first two years were quite difficult since I had to learn a lot of basic science (anatomy, histology, etc.), but I also had to learn chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics and biology. While I really liked anatomy and physiology, I was not particularly interested in the others. In fact, I became so passionate about anatomy that after the first 2 years I was employed as an instructor for the practical courses in anatomy for undergraduate dental students. My passion for histology and anatomy also set the course for my further line of research: much of my research is centered around histology, and specifically the field of periodontal wound healing and regeneration where it is extremely important to have a good knowledge of histology to observe different defect models so you can evaluate if a certain treatment option has the potential to promote regeneration or not. This was a part of my dental education that I very much enjoyed, as well as the clinical aspect, of course.

Did you enjoy that environment so much that you continued teaching at the university?

My father was a professor of prosthodontics in Romania, and having him as a role model, I wanted to stay in academia. Having the chance to grow up in an academic environment definitely had a decisive impact on my mindset. However, I preferred to work with cells and tissues, trying to understand biological mechanisms and develop novel surgical approaches, rather than working in the field of dental materials and prosthodontics. In fact, it is very simple: I loved periodontology, especially its surgical aspects and so did not very much bother about the rest.

What would be one of your first interesting projects?

When I was a post-graduate student in Aarhus, in my master thesis I evaluated the regenerative potential of oxytalan fibers using GTR membranes. These fibers are related to the elastic fibers in the periodontal ligament. I put my heart and soul into that project; I read very widely around the subject and conducted a whole series of histology analyses. My hard work paid off: my paper was accepted and published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology in 1997. Most importantly, it was accepted with only a few minor revisions. This positive feedback really motivated me to pursue this path.

How can you sum up your 25-year experience with Straumann® Emdogain®?

I think that Straumann® Emdogain® is the best-documented material for periodontal regeneration, used clinically for more than 25 years. It’s amazing how many studies have been conducted by different groups. While there are still some open questions, there is very strong evidence indicating that Straumann® Emdogain® is a very good option for a wide range of treatments: not only intrabony defects, recession type defects, and class 2 furcations but also other specific indications such as periodontal wound healing even in pockets without an intrabony defect. Opening the flap and adding Emdogain® leads to better soft tissue healing evidenced by an increase in the tensile strength of the tissue. This is a very important consideration, especially in the esthetic area. Straumann® Emdogain® is unique. It is the best product currently on the market for periodontal regenerative therapy and it is hard to imagine any new product garnering so much interest or being able to boast as many supportive studies. It’s difficult to come up with another product that provides the same level of evidence. For that, you would need another 25 years.

And what is it that makes Emdogain® so unique?

I would say the secret of Straumann® Emdogain® lies in the biology behind the product. It is fascinating how certain molecules may have a specific activity on certain types of cells (i.e. in this case on the fibroblasts originating from the periodontal ligament) and enhance periodontal regeneration. This mechanism is not only fascinating from a scientific point of view but is also of substantial clinical relevance. Without a doubt, the product works. If it didn’t work, it would not still be on the market 25 years down the line or used routinely by clinicians. Straumann® Emdogain® provides the desired and expected results in the hands of a trained clinician. Over the last decades, we have seen products dubbed “regenerative” come and go. It is very simple: if a product disappears from the market it automatically means that the clinicians are not happy with the results.

What would be the advice you would give to a young clinician starting a career?

You must find what you like and what you enjoy most in dentistry. You need a certain passion for what you do. If you want to be a good specialist, researcher, or a combination of both, you have to go to a place where you can get the necessary training. Get adequate training from a mentor, a trainer, or a professor, ideally in a 3–4-year structured program that trains you to become not only a good clinician but also a researcher. If you want to be good, you need a good coach. Just like in sport: if you want to be a football player, you go to play at FC Barcelona or Bayer Munich, not at a sports club in your village. A good coach has expert knowledge and empathy to guide you in the right direction. In my opinion, this aspect is also of great importance. It’s not enough to want to be the best. You must know the right route to take: have a vision, define goals, and focus your mind but also find someone who can correct you and give you advice and feedback.

What was the best advice you have ever received?

I have received plenty of advice but the best does not come from a dentist, but a sports legend: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold always emphasizes that if you have a goal and a vision you should do everything to follow it. Do not listen to naysayers or people trying to discourage you. Trust yourself, work hard, be self-disciplined, and do not let anybody stand in your way. This applies to everything you do in life! For example, I’m ranked number 1 in periodontology in the world and I come from Romania. In western countries such as Germany or Switzerland, a Romanian is not expected to emerge as a leader in his field, chairman of the best department in the world in periodontology, to have won the Distinguished Scientist Award of the most important scientific organization in dentistry, the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). Very recently, I was appointed Editor in Chief of Periodontology 2000, one of the most respected journals not only in periodontology and implantology, but also in dentistry. This is usually not expected from someone from Eastern Europe, but I did not let that stand in my way. I had my vision and I followed it.

How can our readers keep in contact with you?

Read my articles and come to my courses 😊

Advanced loss of periodontal support treated with Straumann® Emdogain® – 3 year follow-up clinical case

The clinical case report was originally featured in Parodontologie 2021;32(2):161–169 published by Quintessence Publishing Germany and is republished on YouTooth.com with the author’s permission.

Straumann® Emdogain® is a unique gel containing enamel matrix derivative of porcine origin. The main component is amelogenin, which has demonstrated the ability to stimulate certain cells types involved in the healing process of soft and hard tissues towards a regenerative pattern, thus leading to true periodontal regeneration1 and accelerated oral wound healing². Emdogain® has a respected legacy as an irreplaceable tool for periodontology backed by extensive and long-term clinical documentation including studies with 10 years of follow-up3,4. Over the past 25 years it has been used in over 2.5 million patients5 and it is documented in over 1,000 scientific publications, including over 600 clinical papers6 on various indications. For more information: click here.