Dr. Zeeshan Sheikh is currently a Clinical Scientist in Periodontics, Assistant Professor- Tenure Track in the departments of Applied Oral Sciences (AOS) and Dental Clinical Sciences (DCS) at the Faculty of Dentistry-Dalhousie University. Dr. Sheikh was trained as a dental clinician and a biomaterial scientist with clinical and research degrees of Dip.Dh, BDS, MSc, PhD and M.Perio in the fields of biomaterials research, clinical dentistry and surgical periodontics and implantology. Dr. Sheikh is a Fellow of the Royal college of Dentists of Canada in the specialty of Periodontics.

In addition to delivering several conference talks, presentations and CE courses both locally in Canada and internationally, Dr. Sheikh has more than 60+ research publications, reviews, book chapters, case-reports and editorials in peer-reviewed and other journals. He has also co-edited three textbooks on Oral Biology and Dental Biomaterials. He is also the recipient of several research awards and prizes and is currently the Chair for the NCOHR-Knowledge Exchange Working Group. Being trained extensively as a clinician scientist in institutions like the Baqai Medical University, Queen Mary University of London, McGill University, University of Toronto and now Dalhousie University, his research expertise lies in developing novel biomaterial options for bone grafting and alveolar ridge augmentation applications.

To view Dr. Sheikh’s research publications and profile please see the following link: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=YGdOcJ0AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

There is a plethora of available natural and/or synthetic biomaterials which are available for periodontal and surgical therapy that makes the decision making challenging with regards to what graft materials to use. This course/lecture, conducted by a clinical-scientist in the fields of periodontics and biomaterials will provide an evidence-based rationale and insight for the use of bone graft materials and barrier membranes for various periodontal surgical techniques. The course will also focus in detail upon the science and different protocols for use of these biomaterials to achieve predictable clinical results.

At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to:

• formulate a better understanding of the science and materials choice for various surgical techniques. Based on the knowledge gained in this course, participants should also be able to answer the following questions:
  • Why is it important to obtain basic knowledge of the biomaterials we use?
  • What is a common classification of bone graft materials and barrier membranes?
  • What are the advantages and limitations of the biomaterials currently available?
  • What are the principles and the critical factors for successful selection of biomaterials that can impact your clinical procedures favorably?
  • What are the different types of bone graft materials? How do they compare?
  • What are the different types of barrier membranes? How do they compare?
  • What are the most recent developments and the future for novel biomaterial development and innovation?