Invited Speaker
Prof. Matthias Widbiller
Prof. Dr. Matthias Widbiller began his academic career in 2013 after completing his dental studies at the University of Regensburg. He then worked both as a dentist and as a research assistant at the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology at the University Hospital of Regensburg, where he obtained his doctorate in 2015. Matthias Widbiller is a lecturer in conservative dentistry and a certified university teacher. His interest in research and continuing education led him to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), USA, as a postdoctoral fellow from 2017 to 2018. During this time, he joined the renowned research laboratory of Dr. Kenneth M. Hargreaves and Dr. Anibal Diogenes. He worked intensively on tissue engineering of dental pulp, bioactive materials and bioactive proteins of the dentin matrix. As a clinical expert, Dr. Widbiller has particular expertise in dental traumatology, vital pulp therapy and regenerative endodontic procedures. Since 2016, he has coordinated the Centre for Dental Traumatology at the University Hospital of Regensburg, and since 2021, he has been the head of the research department. In 2023, Dr Widbiller was appointed by the university as full professor of endodontics.
Invited Lecture:
Bioactive Materials in Dental Trauma: Challenges, Chemistry, and Clinical Evidence
Abstract:
Vital pulp therapy following traumatic dental injuries poses unique biological and clinical challenges. In traumatized teeth, vascular disruption combined with microbial threats can significantly compromise the pulp’s regenerative capacity. Modern bioactive materials are therefore essential for supporting healing in cases of both indirect and direct pulp exposure. However, their effectiveness depends on far more than just sealing.
This lecture will focus on the use of bioactive materials in trauma-related scenarios involving both mature and immature teeth, emphasizing the biological mechanisms underlying material–tissue interactions and the relevant chemistry, and how these factors influence clinical outcomes. The handling, cost, discoloration, and long-term success of current generations of calcium silicate cements are critically appraised.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and limitations of contemporary biomaterials, equipping them to make evidence-based decisions when managing acute and follow-up trauma cases while balancing biological considerations with practical clinical requirements.