For several decades, dental implants have been the method of choice to replace lost or missing teeth. Their long-term survival highly depends on successful osseointegration and a tight soft tissue seal. Therefore, in-depth understanding on cell-material interactions is crucial to design materials with surface properties that meet application- and patient-specific needs. The topography and wettability in particular have been identified as a major influencing factor to control cell fate. We elucidate how macrophage polarisation on distinct titanium implants influences subsequent osteogenesis or osteoclast activity. In a second project, we fine-tune surface properties of zirconia-based materials by yttria content and manufacturing steps, and investigate their effect on soft or hard tissue interactions. Overall, we aim to gain fundamental knowledge on how surface properties can be leveraged to ultimately control dental implant survival and improve patient satisfaction.

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Bio

Géraldine Guex has been appointment assistant professor in Oral Implantology at the University Center of Dental Medicine Basel UZB, in April 2023. She obtained her PhD in cardiac tissue engineering from the University of Berne in 2012 and worked as a Postdoc or Research Scientist, respectively, at Imperial College, London, the Empa in St. Gallen, and the AO Research Institute in Davos where she primarily focused on cartilage and bone tissue engineering, and material-based approaches for wound healing.
As a Nanoscientist by training, Géraldine has worked in the field of tissue engineering and material-based drug delivery throughout her career. She is interested in understanding cell material interactions and controlling cell fate decision by functional materials.