The Biomaterials and Technology group focuses on developing evidence-based dental treatment concepts that are preventive, simple, safe and economic. We specialize in the characterization of ceramic and resin materials, optimize digital technologies and explore cell-material interactions in close collaboration with the Oral Implantology and Oral Microbiology group.
Dr. med. dent. candidate
Dr. med. dent. candidate
Dr. med. dent. candidate
Dr. med. dent. candidate
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
Zirconia (ZrO2) is a high-strength oxide ceramic that is used as implant material as well as for patient-specific restorations on dental implants and natural teeth. Once inserted to the oral cavity, the material is in direct contact with human hard and soft tissue and exposed to thermal, (bio)chemical, and mechanical loads.
This complex environment imposes significant biological demands on the design of dental implant materials, with surfaces of zirconia to be structured to a) provide an ideal environment to promote cell growth and attachment of fibroblasts and keratinocytes in the gingival region, b) induce differentiation of bone progenitor cells and facilitate osseointegration in the endosseous part without pronounced inflammatory response, and c) to potentially inhibit bacterial attachment along the entire implant surface.
Controlling the surface topography and evaluate the effect on mechanical and biological properties is of high interest to find the optimal surface finish for zirconia and its wide applications in dentistry. Hence, the aim of the ZIRYT project is to understand the underlying mechanisms of how crystallinity, yttria dopant concentration and heat-treatment affect the nanostructure, and ultimately osteogenesis, soft tissue integration and immune reaction.
For dental restorations such as crowns and bridges, subtractive manufacturing using zirconia has long been considered the method of choice. To fabricate a zirconia restoration, the restoration is digitally designed by dental technicians and then milled from an industrially produced blank within the range of 30 minutes to an hour. This blank consists of so-called white body zirconia.
However, rising energy costs of around 80% compared to 2015, high costs of the milling machines as well as heightened environmental awareness are increasingly focusing attention on additive manufacturing as an alternative. Resin-based additive manufacturing is increasingly used in dentistry to produce models or templates for implant positioning. A novel approach in additive manufacturing is processing of ceramic materials such as zirconia for dental restorations.
In this project we aim to recycle zirconia blanks materials to ultimately create a filament for FDM printing.
Guided bone regeneration (GBR) frequently uses barrier membranes made of non-resorbable or resorbable materials. A method to assimilate a material with adequate elasticity and strength, as well as slow resorbing characteristics in GBR membranes is of great interest to further improve the regenerative outcome. To meet these needs, a composite of bio-copolymer and bio-ceramic - Poly(L-lactide-co-D, L-lactide) (PLDLLA) reinforced with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) will be fabricated into meshes by additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing. This project aims to test if this composite material can provide an osteoconductive design with sufficient stability and biocompatible surface properties to be applied as a bio-resorbable patient-specific mesh for guided bone regeneration
Influence of surface treatment before glazing on wear and flexural strength of translucent zirconia; M. Wenger, N. U. Zitzmann, N. Rohr; Dental Materials, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2025.02.006
Nano-Structuring of Zirconia Implant Surfaces as an Approach to Improve Clinical Performance and Economic Efficiency—A Preclinical Study on Osseointegration; N. Rohr, M. Permuy, C. Fischer, M. López-Peña, F. M. Muñoz, J. Fischer; Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2025; https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14422
Effect of implant type on the stability of cantilever fixed dental prostheses: An in vitro study; N. Rohr, I. Karakas-Stupar, S. Karlin, N. U. Zitzmann, L. K. Zaugg; Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2024; https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14240
Effect of curing mode of resin composite cements on water sorption, color stability, and biaxial flexural strength; S. M. Benkeser, S. Karlin, N. Rohr; Dental Materials, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2024.04.004
Alma Bertram – M Dent Med
Marina Koch – M Dent Med
Lukas Venzin – M Dent Med
Florian Rumpel – M Dent Med
Mark Rutscheidt – M Dent Med
Manon Wenger – Dent Med
Janick Fischer – M Dent Med
Lea Furrer – M Dent Med
Joelle Carisch – Dental Technician
Moritz Berger – Dr. med. dent
Hoda Blerta – Dr. med. dent
Svenja Benkeser – Dr. med. dent
Louisa Geuke – Dr. med. dent
Murat Pinto – MSc Biomedical Engineering
Sheryl Hammel – M Dent Med
Gino Mainetti – M Dent Med
Rebecca Greune – M Dent Med
Angela Schönenberger – Dr. med. dent
Reto Nüesch – Dr. med. dent
Sharon Gyr – Dr. med. dent
Moritz Berger – M Dent Med
Blerta Hoda – M Dent Med
Severin Hunziker – Dr med. dent
Adriana Manea – MSc Biomedical Engineering
Sharon Gyr – M Dent Med
Severin Hunziker – M Dent Med
Simon Graf – Dr. med. dent
Celina Baumann – Dr. med. dent
Vivien Bieger – Dr. med. dent
Emanuel Sauser – Dr. med. dent
Celina Baumann – M Dent Med
Vivien Bieger – Dr. med. dent
Angela Schönenberger – Dr. med. dent
Daniela Zeller – Dr. med. dent
Lena Rupp – Dr. med. dent
Antonio Straface – Dr. med. dent
Constantin Berli – Dr. med. dent
Cyril Scheidegger – M Dent Med
We are always happy to accommodate curios students for their master thesis and support PhD candidates or postdocs in applying for their own funding with us.
If you have experience in the mechanical characterisation of ceramics or composites, please apply via email (Nadja) by providing your CV and a short motivation letter / project interest (max 1 A4).
