What to expect?

• Discover how career-defining mentors shaped Irena Sailer’s journey in prosthodontics.
• Learn about key developments in dental materials and the evolution of zirconia.
• Explore her vision for digital tools, education, and the role of AI and robotics in dentistry.

Building a career through mentors and persistence

Irena Sailer reflects on the early turning points of her career, from her move from Tübingen, Germany, to Zurich, Switzerland, and the inspiration she found in Professor Peter Schärer’s department. She shares how persistence and volunteer positions eventually opened doors into highly selective Swiss institutions, leading to academic opportunities under mentors such as Christoph Hämmerle, Klaus Lang, and Daniel Buser. Her transition to Geneva marked both a challenge and an honor as she succeeded Professor Urs Belser in leading the Division of Fixed Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, learning to navigate new responsibilities and even language barriers.

Advancing material science and digital dentistry

Sailer highlights her deep involvement in zirconia research, tracing its early challenges, clinical setbacks, and eventual comeback as a reliable material. She explains the complexities of selecting ceramics, hybrids, and resins, emphasizing the need for clinicians to remain actively involved in material choices rather than relying solely on labs. Looking ahead, she sees 3D printing, hybrid materials, and AI-driven workflows as transformative technologies that can make dentistry faster, more efficient, and more patient-centered. She draws parallels to the shift from vinyl records to Spotify, noting that dentistry is moving toward efficiency and reproducibility rather than chasing perfection alone.

Shaping the next generation through education and innovation

Beyond research, Sailer places strong focus on mentoring and education. She stresses the importance of adapting to new learning styles with short, interactive, video-based content and simulation tools, including AR and VR. She reflects on her leadership roles in the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and ITI, where she has worked to empower younger clinicians and expand international collaboration. On future trends, she points to AI in design, robotics as supportive tools, and the potential disruption for dental technicians. For young clinicians, she recommends structured specialization, joining strong academic and professional networks, and prioritizing mentorship in high-level environments.

Key takeaways

• Mentorship, persistence, and international mobility shaped Sailer’s academic journey and leadership in prosthodontics.
• Zirconia and digital tools illustrate how innovation transforms clinical practice, requiring clinicians to stay hands-on with material choices.
• Education must evolve with rapid, interactive formats, preparing the next generation to harness AI, AR, VR, and robotics in dentistry.

The Straumann ProTalk hosts