“Implants don’t fail in surgery, they fail in planning”
The Australasian Osseointegration Society is privileged to host Professor Nicola Zitzmann (Zurich), a uniquely dually qualified Periodontist–Prosthodontist and internationally recognised authority whose extensive peer-reviewed scholarship continues to shape contemporary implant dentistry. A Past President of the International College of Prosthodontists, Professor Zitzmann will share biologically driven, evidence-based clinical insights that help clinicians anticipate risk, reduce technical and biological complications, and achieve more predictable long-term outcomes. Her approach integrates surgical, prosthodontic, and periodontal perspectives, offering practical strategies that elevate interdisciplinary care and support refined decision-making across everyday and complex implant rehabilitation.
Topic
Diagnosis, treatment planning and implant selection.
Recognise how implant failures originate in the planning phase – not during surgery.
Differentiate diagnostic removable prostheses from definitive restorations.
Apply CBCT double-scan protocols to replicate the intended definitive prosthesis.
Understand when short and narrow implants or cantilevers are solutions – and when they are red flags.
Plan implants prosthetically, rather than forcing prosthetics to fit implants.
Identify planning errors that lead to uncleanable designs and prosthetic compromises.
Assess the role of occlusal overload as a consequence of poor prosthetic planning or insufficient maintenance.
This lecture focuses on diagnosis, treatment planning, and implant selection, emphasizing that many implant failures originate during the planning phase rather than at the time of surgery. It highlights the importance of distinguishing diagnostic removable prostheses from definitive restorations and demonstrates the application of CBCT double-scan protocols to accurately replicate the intended definitive prosthesis. Particular attention is given to the appropriate use of short and narrow implants as well as design of cantilevers, clarifying when these options represent viable solutions and when they should be considered red flags. The lecture advocates for prosthetically driven implant planning instead of adapting prosthetic solutions to pre-existing implant positions. Common planning errors leading to uncleanable designs and prosthetic compromises are identified, and the role of occlusal overload is discussed as a consequence of inadequate prosthetic planning or insufficient maintenance.
maintenance.
Biography
Nicola U. Zitzmann is Professor and Chair of the Department of Reconstructive Dentistry at the University of Basel, Switzerland, and is a research group leader within the Department of clinical research (DKF).
From 1994 to 1997, she received her postgraduate training at the Department of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Material Sciences in Zurich, Switzerland (Prof. P. Schärer). From 1997, Nicola U. Zitzmann worked as Assistant Professor at the Department of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and TMJ Disorders at the University of Basel (Switzerland) and completed her habilitation thesis (equivalent to Ph.D.) entitled “Prosthodontic treatment of the edentulous patient with particular consideration given to implant-supported restorations” in 2004. She has been a Visiting Assistant at the Department of Periodontology at the University of Göteborg, Sweden (Proffs. J. Lindhe and T. Berglundh), and achieved her Ph.D. degree in the field of Periodontology in 2006. She is president of the Swiss Society of Reconstructive Dentistry (SSRD), past-president of the International College of Prosthodontics, chaired the ITI section Switzerland until 2021, and is board member of the Swiss Society of Oral Implantology (SGI). NU Zitzmann authored more than 180 original publications, 80 papers and book chapters with an H-index of 67 on google scholar. She received the Jan Lindhe Research Award in 2014 for her scientific achievements in implant dentistry.
A big thank you to ANZAP for collaborating with us to bring Prof. Nicola Zitzmann to NSW for this event.
- 4.30pm Registration for 5:00pm start
- CPD: 4 hours