Professor Maurizio S. Tonetti. (PHOTO: Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

By Staff Reporters

Recently, Research.com released the first edition of the Top Scientists in Medicine. Maurizio S. Tonetti, now the full-time director at the Oral Implant Research Center of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, the honorary director of National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, is ranked 29th in China and 3568th in the world.

As an international expert and practicing physician with thirty years of academic experience in oral health medicine, Tonetti has long devoted himself to research on the molecular mechanism and systemic treatment of oral implants and periodontal diseases. His paper published in the top medical journal The New England Journal of Medicine verified the relationship between periodontitis and cardiovascular systemic diseases for the first time and created a new field of research on the two-way relationship between dentistry and systemic diseases.

He has also creatively improved guided tissue regeneration, pioneered the minimally invasive technique of periodontal regeneration, overcome the problem of regenerative treatment of stage III periodontitis, greatly improved the life span of natural teeth, and promoted the widespread application of this technology worldwide.

In October 2020, as a high-level foreign expert, Tonetti joined Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, becoming the first full-time foreign physician-scientist at the hospital. "This is the last challenge of my career," he said. After years of working at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital and seeing the rapid socio-economic development of China, he is confident about the rich clinical resources of the hospital, as well as the increasingly international hospital research system and clinical research atmosphere, believing that this is where he could make great contributions to people's oral health.

"Most importantly, China is under a high burden of oral diseases," he said. A national oral health survey reveals that a small percentage of Chinese adults have healthy periodontium or only superficial periodontitis, and 50 to 70 percent have periodontitis or have lost all their teeth. "The high prevalence of stage III-IV periodontitis and edentulism is very alarming and they need highly specialized help," he said. So, with the desire to help, Tonetti moved to Shanghai.

"It is entirely possible to maintain long-term oral health throughout life. Early detection and diagnosis can lead to simple, inexpensive and very effective treatment of oral disease. The later the diagnosis, the greater the problem and the cost involved," said Tonetti.

He recommended using a toothbrush and interdental cleaning device (floss or interdental brush) to clean teeth three times a day, using fluoride toothpaste, and visiting your dentist at least once a year for a checkup and professional prevention in your daily care of your oral health. "If something doesn't feel right, go to the dentist at once; the longer you wait, the more serious the problem will be," he added.

Tonetti also said that oral health is valuable as it allows us to smile, speak with confidence and chew food effectively, but most patients do not pay enough attention to oral health until it is too late, which allows otherwise mild symptoms to progress into complex and expensive problems, so more effort is required to raise people's awareness of protecting their teeth.

For the future of dentistry in China, he is confident and he is moving steadily towards his goals. In addition to training world-class dental experts, he will also work on many aspects of oral health education, treatment challenges, technology transformation and development of the local dental industry.

Tonetti showed his willingness to do his best to make "Smile Shanghai, Smile China" a reality, "I would like to do everything I can to help Chinese patients regain their confidence and healthy smiles. I'm here in China, ready to be of use to people, if you need me, just come to me," he said.

The article was edited from The Shanghai International Talent website.