Enrico Gherlone
Enrico Gherlone (born January 20, 1956, Genoa, Italy) is Full Professor of Odontostomatological Diseases (SSD MED/28), at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University of Milan, he has held the position of Magnifico Rector since 8 November 2018 (re-elected in November 2021) and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University.[1]
 |
| Born |
| January 20, 1956, Genoa, Italy |
| Nationality |
| Italian |
| Education |
| Medical Degree, University of Genoa, 1983 (Italy) |
| Specialization in Dentistry, University of Genoa, 1986 (Italy) |
| Fields |
| Dentistry |
| Institutions |
| Full Professor of Odontostomatological Diseases at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University of Milan |
| Note |
| Top Italian Scientist in Clinical Sciences [2] |
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.
Awards and honours
- Salerno Medical School Award for Research in Dentistry. Salerno, 28 October 2011.
- Honorary Member of SENAME (South Europe North Africa Middle East) Implantology and Modern Dentistry Association.
- In February 2016 Winner of the prestigious "William Laney Award" given by the American Academy of Osseointegration, San Francisco, USA.
- In May 2017 Winner of the prestigious "Dental Materials-Award" issued by the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry.
- On 3 December 2022 he was awarded the Bonifacio VIII International Prize "...for a Culture of Peace", a prestigious award previously awarded to personalities such as the Presidents Emeritus of the Republic Oscar Luigi Scalfaro and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Nobel Prize winner Rita Levi Montalcini, Senator Giulio Andreotti
Editorial activities and interviews
Editorship and collaboration on editorial boards and editorial series of journals and treatises of recognized prestige
Coordinator of the Working Group on the 2014 revision of the "National Guidelines for Oral Health Promotion and Prevention of Oral Diseases in Adults", Ministry of Health.
Scientific Coordinator of the revision of clinical recommendations in odontostomatology, Ministry of Health.
Coordinator of the Working Group on the revision of the "National guidelines for the prevention and clinical management of dental trauma in individuals of developmental age" with the appendix dedicated to the "treatment of traumatic TMJ outcomes.
Coordinator of the "document containing indications on the use of amalgam in dentistry", Ministry of Health.
Coordinator of the Ministry of Health's technical round table on "operational indications for dental work during phase 2 of the Covid-19 pandemic".
Editor of the Dental Hygiene Editorial Series, Edi Ermes publishing house, Milan.
Coordinator of the working group for the drafting of the National Guidelines for the promotion of oral health and the prevention of oral pathologies in adolescents who are to undergo chemo- and/or radiotherapy (Decree of the Deputy Minister of Health, 06/11/2009).
Coordinator of the Working Group for the drafting of national guidelines for oral health promotion and prevention of oral diseases in adults (Decree of the Head of the Department of Prevention and Communication, 27/10/2008).
Member of the Editorial Committee for the drafting of the Report on the Health Status of the Country 2007-2008.
Member of the Editorial Committee for the drafting of the National Oncology Plan 2010-2012.
Member of the Working Group on Rehabilitation (Decree of the Undersecretary of State of 17-11-2009).
Member of the Scientific Committee of the 'Quaderni del Ministero della Salute', a periodical publication with a high technical-scientific content[3].
Official Auditor of the Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research (ANVUR)[4].
Editor-in-chief of the Scopus-indexed Journal of Osseointegration[5].
Editor-in-chief of the journal Surgery and Practice indexed in Scopus and published by Hindawi Publishing (New York)[6].
Editor-in-chief of the Scopus-indexed journal Italian Oral Surgery.
Editor-in-chief of the journal European Journal of Implant Prosthodontics.
Editor-in-chief of the journal "Doctor os".
Editor-in-chief of the journal Journal of Surgery.
Reviewer of the Scopus-indexed journal 'Dental Cadmos'.
Reviewer of the journal Metals, IF 2015 = 1.54
Reviewer of the Impact Factor-indexed journal New Microbiologica.
Reviewer of the journal Journal of Oral Health and Dental Care.
Reviewer of the Scopus-indexed journal Journal of Osseointegration.
Reviewer of the journal AIDS Research and Treatment.
