Published: 12 October 2026
NUS Dentistry was proud to have hosted the Advanced Biomaterials & Innovation Symposium 2026 on 12 October 2026, bringing together leading oral health academics for a full day of scientific exchange, interdisciplinary discussion, and exploration of emerging innovations in dentistry.
Organised in collaboration with the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) Dental Materials Group, the symposium attracted strong interest, with registration reaching full capacity. The lively atmosphere reflected the enthusiasm of participants for advancing research and innovation in dental materials and oral healthcare.
Exploring Emerging Frontiers in Dental Research
The symposium featured four sessions addressing key developments in dental research, spanning scientific publishing, artificial intelligence (AI), restorative dentistry, and next-generation biomaterials.
Emeritus Professor Jack Ferracane from Oregon Health & Science University and Professor Nikolaos Silikas from the University of Manchester, who joined via Zoom, discussed “Research Relevance and Scientific Impact: Editors’ Perspective”. Drawing on their experience, they shared insights into how scientific editors assess the significance, originality, and clarity of research manuscripts, as well as their broader contributions to the scientific field.
The session on “AI in Prosthodontics and Digital Dentistry”, presented by Associate Professor James Tsoi from the University of Hong Kong, examined the integration of machine-learning algorithms with three-dimensional digital workflows to optimise prosthodontic designs. The discussion highlighted the potential of digital technologies to support more efficient and precise approaches to restorative treatment planning.
Turning to the performance of dental materials, Professor Alvaro Della Bona from the University of Passo Fundo spoke about “Research and Failure Analysis in Ceramic Restorations”. His session explored crack propagation mechanisms, fractography, and methodological approaches to testing dental ceramics, underscoring the importance of robust research methods in understanding material performance and restoration failures.
The final topic, “Bioactive Biomaterials via AI and Holograms”, was presented by Associate Professor Vinicius Rosa, Research Lead for Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics at NUS Dentistry and symposium chair. The session explored material informatics, predictive computational modelling, and inverse-design methodologies for developing novel bioactive cements, highlighting the opportunities presented by computational approaches in biomaterials research.
Fostering Scientific Exchange and Collaboration
Following the four topic sessions, all five speakers came together for an interactive scientific discussion panel and roundtable session. This provided participants with an opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, exchange perspectives, and explore connections across the different research areas.
With a full programme of expert sessions and lively discussions, the symposium provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary engagement among researchers in oral health and dental materials.
Advancing Innovation in Oral Health
The Advanced Biomaterials & Innovation Symposium 2026 reflects NUS Dentistry’s continued commitment to fostering scientific collaboration and advancing research in oral health. By bringing together international expertise across biomaterials, digital technologies, restorative dentistry, and scientific publishing, the symposium created opportunities to share knowledge and explore emerging directions in oral healthcare research.
The strong participation and engaging discussions throughout the day underscored the importance of collaborative scientific platforms in supporting innovation and shaping the future of dental research.
Symposium speakers (from L to R): Associate Professor James Tsoi, Associate Professor Vinicius Rosa, Professor Alvaro Della Bona, Emeritus Professor Jack Ferracane, and Professor Nikolaos Silikas (not in photo)
