Program

Dr. Elias Messo is a Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery based in Uppsala and Stockholm, recognized for his clinical leadership in implant surgery, digital workflows and tissue-preserving surgical protocols. He graduated from the University of Umeå in 1992 and completed his specialist training in 2004 at the University Hospital in Örebro, followed by an international fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas under Professor Edward Ellis III, with a focus on facial trauma and orbital reconstruction.

He later served as Senior Consultant at Uppsala University Hospital, responsible for computer-assisted and reconstructive surgery, and is now practicing at Colosseum Specialisttandvård while serving as Clinical Lead for implant and dentoalveolar surgery within the Smile and Colosseum Group. His research includes facial trauma, orbital reconstruction, virtual planning, computer-assisted craniofacial surgery and patient-specific bone grafting, forming the basis for his current focus on digital implant workflows and advanced bone regeneration.

Dr. Messo has trained more than 500 dentists in implant surgery and lectures for Straumann Group, Geistlich and the ITI. He is an ITI Fellow, Education Delegate for the ITI Sweden/Norway Section, and a member of both the Colosseum Academy Scientific Council and the CDG Clinical Standards Committee in Zurich.

PD, Dr., PhD Jenni Hjerppe is a Senior Research and Teaching Assistant at the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, University of Zurich, Switzerland. She graduated as a dentist from the University of Oulu, Finland, in 2004 and received her PhD degree from the University of Turku, Finland, in 2010. In 2013, Dr. Hjerppe graduated as a Specialist in Prosthodontics from the University of Helsinki, Finland.

She worked for several years as a university lecturer at the University of Turku and as a senior prosthodontist at the Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Hospital. The academic year 2019–2020, Dr. Hjerppe spent as an ITI Scholar at the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, University of Zurich, Switzerland. Subsequently, she worked as a resident physician at the same clinic, completing her second specialist degree in Reconstructive Dentistry as well as a Master of Advanced Studies in Oral Implantology in August 2023. In addition, Dr. Hjerppe received the title of Docent from the University of Turku in 2022 and the title of Privatdozent at the University of Zurich in 2024. She is a passionate clinician and prosthodontist with a scientific focus on ceramic materials, implant prosthodontics and dental robotics.

Jenni Hjerppe has been an active fellow of the ITI for several years. Currently, she is the Chairperson of ITI Section Finland and a member of the ITI Board of Mentors.

Prof. Dr. Daniel Thoma is the Head of Implantology and Regeneration at the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, University of Zurich, Switzerland. He graduated in 2000 at the University of Basel, Switzerland and was trained in implant dentistry and prosthodontics at the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, University of Zurich, Switzerland. Dr. Thoma was the recipient of an ITI scholarship and spent 1 year at the Department of Periodontics, University of Texas, Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA.  Between 2008 and 2012, he was a full-time Senior Teaching and Research Assistant at the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. In 2016, Dr. Thoma was a Visiting Associate Professor at the Department of Periodontology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. Since 2020, Dr. Thoma is an Adjunct Professor and serves as the Head of Implantology and Regeneration.

Dr. Eirik Aasland Salvesen represents Oris Dental, the fastest growing DSO in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. He is the co-founder and continues to combine clinical work with the position as CEO of Oris Dental. In addition to working hands-on as a periodontist at Oris Dental, Salvesen has lectured worldwide since 2004. He has been responsible for surgical courses and lectures for Straumann, Nobel Biocare, and Geistlich. Furthermore, Salvesen has been a designated expert on the iExcel system for Straumann since 2017. Salvesen is a long-time fellow of the ITI and continously involved in product development with Straumann. Salvesen sees the patient journey as the backbone of every successful dental practice and has spent the last two decades refining this journey with his team. The result now serves as the cultural base for the rapid growth of Oris Dental.

Dr. Timo Suojärvi is a specialist in prosthetic dentistry based in Helsinki, Finland, where he leads a multidisciplinary team at a referral clinic focused on retreating failing restorations, full-mouth rehabilitations – on teeth and implants – and esthetic smile transformations. Known for combining clinical precision with digital innovation, he has long embraced 3D planning, guided surgery, and CAD/CAM workflows as tools for delivering individualized, high-impact results.

Dr. Suojärvi collaborates closely with leading dental companies and software developers, sharing his insights as a KOL and international lecturer. He is also the co-founder of the Suojärvi–Pallonen Academy, where he continues to inspire clinicians through advanced education and a shared commitment to raising the bar in modern restorative care.

Dr. Ilkka Pallonen, DDS (University of Oulu, 2010), is a consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon working in Helsinki and Tampere, Finland. He completed his residency in maxillofacial surgery at Tampere University Hospital (2011–2018). His practice is focused on dental implantology and bone and soft tissue regeneration, with a strong emphasis on prosthetically driven, aesthetic, and long-lasting implant restorations. As co-founder of SPAcademy, he is actively engaged in teaching and sharing expertise through implantology courses nationally and internationally. Dr. Pallonen is an ITI Fellow and has served as President of the Implantology Section of the Finnish Dental Association Apollonia.

Larissa Steigmann received her first dental degree (D.M.D) from the Goethe University of Frankfurt in 2019. She then continued her education at the University of Michigan in the Periodontics & Oral Medicine Master Program. Concomitant to her Periodontal Specialty, she obtained her Master of Science in Periodontology (M.S.) and graduated in 2022. Dr. Steigmann conducted numerous research projects in the field of oral health and implant rehabilitation, of which several have been published in peer-reviewed international journals. Additionally, she serves as a reviewer for journals in the field of periodontology and implant dentistry. Since 2022, she has been a Fellow at the Giannobile Lab and member of the faculty at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Division of Periodontology where she compassionately supports the dental education of students. She maintains a clinical practice limited to periodontology and implantology in the Faculty Group Practice at the Harvard Dental Center. Concomitantly she works in the Giannobile Lab and pursues research directed towards personalized medicine. Dr. Steigmann received multiple awards including the Jefferey Johnston Fellowship, LeGro Scholarship, Billy A. Smith Award for exemplary communication skills and empathy in patient care, as well as the prestigious Dr. and Mrs. Kramer Scholar Award of Excellence which is awarded by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation for excellence in both character and academic achievement, personal motivation and personal integrity exemplified by leadership, community involvement, and concern for the needs of others.

Denise Abadji, specialist in periodontology and implantology, practicing at Capio Specialist Dentists in Nacka. Denise combines her clinical work with a strong commitment to education and knowledge sharing within dentistry. Denise also runs the YouTube channel “Inside the Mind of a Periodontologist”, where she highlights current topics and shares valuable knowledge within dentistry. As a lecturer, she is highly appreciated for her inspiring and pedagogical approach, and she has previously worked as a clinical supervisor for dentists undergoing their specialist residency program.

Dr. Att is a professor and chairman of the Department of Prosthodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He is also a professor of prosthodontics at the School of Dentistry, University of Freiburg, Germany. Dr. Att is board-certified prosthodontist from the German Society of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials (DGPro) since 2004 and an active member of multiple professional organizations, including the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (EAED), International Academy of Digital Dental Medicine, International College of Prosthodontists, Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics and others. He serves as President of the International Academy for Digital Dental Medicine (IADDM), Past-President of the Prosthodontics Group of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) as well as President of the Arabian Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (ARAED).

Dr. Att obtained his DDS degree in 1997 form Tishreen University and received the Dr Med Dent (2003) and PhD (2010) degrees as well as the title of extraordinary professor (2013) from the University of Freiburg. He was a visiting assistant professor from 2005 to 2007 at the Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, UCLA School of Dentistry and the Director of Postgraduate Program in Prosthodontics in Freiburg from 2007 to 2017. A widely published and internationally respected clinician and lecturer, Dr. Att’s main focus within teaching, research and clinical practice is esthetic and implant dentistry as well as well as the implementation of cutting-edge digital technologies in both reconstructive and multidisciplinary dentistry.

Prof. Dr. Jan Cosyn graduated as Dentist at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 2000. He specialized in Periodontology and Oral Implantology at the same institution and combined his training with a PhD program. Today Dr. Cosyn is appointed Professor at Ghent University. He is Chairman of the Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology and Program Director of the EFP-accredited postgraduate program in Periodontology. Prof. Cosyn was promotor of 11 PhD projects and published over 130 articles in international peer-reviewed journals. He performs research on immediate implant placement, alveolar ridge preservation and soft tissue augmentation and is frequently invited as a speaker at national and international conferences.

Shakeel Shahdad is a Consultant and Hon. Clinical Professor in Oral Rehabilitation & Implantology at The Royal London Dental Hospital, and Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.  He is the Clinical Lead for Restorative Dentistry, Lead for postgraduate implant training and Chairman of ITI Scholarship Centre at QMUL.  He is also leading the £2.3m Digital Dental Transformation Project at the hospital and school.

He is a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology.  He is also the Past Chairman for the Advisory Board in Implant Dentistry for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the ITI UK & Ireland Section.  In 2017, he was conferred Fellowship of the Faculty of Dental Trainers (FFDTEd) by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

He is a specialist in Restorative Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Endodontics.

Apart from the specialist restorative treatment, his areas of particular interest include aesthetic implant dentistry and management of complex restorative cases including functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of patients with congenital absence of teeth and toothwear. Shak specialises in treating patients requiring complex and advanced restorative treatment