Enrico Gherlone: Research

Main page

Research

Prof. Gherlone's research activity began in 1983 with the 'metal-free ceramics' project as part of the Cerestore System programmer coordinated at national level by Prof. Mario Martignoni.

Later, as can be seen from his scientific publications, he devoted himself to the study of new composite materials and the use of laser light in Odontostomatology. His research activity has always mainly focused on fixed prosthetics, initially on dental elements, with particular emphasis on the study of both ceramic and resin veneers, and later metal-free. Aesthetic prosthetics has always been an object of attention in her research; with the advent of modern implantology, her production has turned 360° to the study of this new discipline, especially in its prosthetic side.

This led to collaboration with several companies at the top of the industry, which identified him as an opinion leader.

Together with his group, in addition to having always dealt with occlusal-functional aspects of prosthetics on both natural and implant elements, he has been an actor in the implementation and optimization of various implant systems, playing a key role in their dissemination.

Over the last decade, Prof. Gherlone has been among the pioneers of translational research (clinical research applications) in dentistry, directing the first research groups on the molecular biology of human cells in contact with biomaterial bone substitutes, and comparing the results of these studies with current techniques for increasing bone volume in the jaws, to develop minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Lines of research have been carried out on the biocompatibility of materials (biological dentistry) and their possible toxicity in contact with human tissues.

In recent years, activity has been focusing on new digital technologies with repercussions on both traditional and implant prosthetic dentistry.

As already mentioned, in Prof. Gherlone's evolution as a researcher, he has deeply touched upon scientific aspects of translational research, carrying out numerous studies and follow-ups still in progress on immediate loading in implant prosthesis and its implementation, after having met and collaborated with Prof. Paulo Malò on all-on-four and all-on-six techniques.

It is worth mentioning his scientific activity on advanced osseointegration prosthetics with total rehabilitation using autologous bone grafted and taken from calvaria or iliac crest.

The experience gained from these research protocols led Prof. Gherlone to the direction and coordination of several research projects co-financed by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of University and Scientific Research.

The result of all this research has manifested itself not only in numerous publications but also in several volumes of an essentially prosthetic nature, ranging from textbooks on impressions to those on dental implantology and modern micro-invasive techniques.

It is important to highlight how collaboration and consultancy with numerous leading international dental companies led to the achievement and realization of two patents concerning two different implant systems.

Over a period of several years, in collaboration with Dr. Ivano Casartelli, he devoted himself to the study of impression materials and the most suitable techniques and their use to achieve excellent results.

Main lines of research

• Clinical Trials of Advanced Oral Surgery, Implant Prosthetics and Aesthetic Prosthetics.

• Study of post-extractive site healing and immediate implantology.

• Periodontal and implant regenerative therapy.

• Laboratory protocols on state-of-the-art materials investigating precision and marginal adaptation characteristics of prosthetic crowns.

• Histological analyses of osteoinductive regenerative therapies and new types of dental implants.

• Study of new dental implant surfaces.

• Development of new operations concerning pre-implant major oral surgery.

• Specific studies and tests on impression materials.

• New operations on implant-prosthetic rehabilitations supported by inclined implants inserted with minimally invasive techniques.

• New operations on zygomatic implants supporting immediately loaded prostheses.

• Use of digital technologies in impression taking and prosthesis fabrication with CAD-CAM techniques.

Research projects

Among the research projects planned and conducted by Prof. Gherlone on the clinical-scientific topics he has always dealt with, those that deserve special attention are:

• 1983: Head of Research of the Genoa University Section, as part of a National Project coordinated by Prof. Mario Martignoni "Research on ceramics without metal support within the CERESTORE System, Jhonson & Jhonson".

• 1983: Winner of a scholarship for epidemiological research in Odontostomatology announced by A.S.I.L.S. through the University of Genoa for the province of Genoa and of an A.S.I.L.S. scholarship for the provinces of La Spezia and Savona.

• 1986: Winner of a contract for Odontostomatology Research, awarded by the C.N.A., through the University of Genoa.

• 2005: Winner of a research project of national relevance (PRIN) co-funded by the Ministry of Education, University and Research: PRIN 2005 prot. 2005063925_002" Biomechanics and biomimetics: an integrated approach for the functional validation of the use of nanostructured materials in implant-prosthetic rehabilitations", coordinator Prof. Apicella, Unit "Histological, histomorphometric and microtomographic evaluation of the osseointegration of implants with nanostructured scaffolds", scientific responsible Prof. Enrico Gherlone.

• 2007: Scientific coordinator of the ordinary finalized research project 2007 (RF07), co-financed by the Ministry of Health: "Evaluation of implant-prosthodontics rehabilitations in disability, special needs and low socio-economic condition patients". This project involved carrying out hundreds of implant-prosthodontic rehabilitations on disabled patients and low socio-economic groups with a two-year follow-up. The procedures were performed at the San Luigi Ville-Turro Centre, where the implants were placed free of charge with ministerial funds.

• From 2007 to 2015, he was Head of the 'Dentofacial Histopathology Unit' within the Genetics and Cell Biology Division of the San Raffaele University Scientific Institute in Milan. This Unit has dealt with the research and development of innovative technologies in dentistry, as well as the study of basic pathophysiological processes in dental pathologies by means of histological, histomorphometric and biomolecular analyses.

• Since 2008 Coordinator of a project "Futuro in Ricerca FIRB 2008" co-funded by the Ministry of University Protocol: RBFR08T83J_002 on the study of innovative dental implants by means of histological, histomorphometric and microtomographic analysis on an animal model, in collaboration with the Second University of Naples

• 2009: Scientific responsible for a research project financed by the Ministry of Health within the framework of the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CCM n.13981) "Experimentation of an outpatient pathway for the prevention/diagnosis/ treatment of oral cavity pathologies in drug-addicted, HIV-positive and HCV-positive subjects".

• 2009: Scientific responsible for a research project financed by the Ministry of Health within the framework of the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CCM n.15021) "Experimentation of a territorial pathway for the prevention/diagnosis of malignant tumors of the oral cavity", in collaboration with the State University of Milan, the University of Messina and the University "La Sapienza" of Rome.

Since 2009, he has been co-director of the Bone Physiopathology Program (BoNetwork) of the IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele in Milan, formed by basic, translational, and clinical research groups, whose mission is to better understand the bases of bone tissue homeostasis and the pathogenetic mechanisms of bone diseases, to be translated into the identification of potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers for skeletal diseases.

Since 2015, he has been Director of the Research Area in Odontostomatological and Implant Sciences at the IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele in Milan, formed by research groups covering the main dental disciplines, in particular: Implantology and Implant Prosthetics, Periodontology, Orthodontics, Gnathology and Child Dentistry, Conservative and Endodontics, Digital Dentistry, Oral Hygiene and Prevention.

Membership of scientific and cultural societies

• National President ACRIS (San Raffaele Implantoprosthetic Research Association).

• National President of the College of University Lecturers of Odontostomatological Disciplines (2015-2018).

• Member of the Board of the Italian Society of Odontostomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery (SIOCMF).

• President of the Italian Society of Prosthetic and Implant Dentistry for the years 2007/2008-2008/2009.

• President of the Italian Association of Gnathology for the years 2000/2001 and 2001/2002.

• Member of the National Association of Italian Dentists (ANDI) Genoa section since 1982.

Scientific collaborations

• Dental Clinic University Complutense Madrid.

• Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

• Malo Clinic, Lisbon, Portugal.

• Institute of Materials Technology Faculty of Engineering University of Genoa.

• Dental Clinic University "La Sapienza" of Rome.

• Dental Clinic University "Federico II" of Naples.

• Dental Clinic "Tor Vergata" University of Rome.

• Dental Clinic "Via Commenda" University of Milan.

• Dental Clinic University of Milan-Bicocca.

• Dental Clinic University of Studies G. D'Annunzio of Chieti.

Communications and reports

Prof Gherlone has been an invited speaker at all the most prestigious national and international academies, congresses and consensus conferences, belonging to both the academic and professional dental fields.