Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
75th Annual Meeting
– in collaboration with –
Osteo Science Foundation

April 23-27, 2025
Casa Marina, Key West, FL

Tara Aghaloo, DDS, MD, PhD

Dr. Tara Aghaloo is Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UCLA. She completed her DDS at UMKC, and OMFS residency, MD, and PhD at UCLA. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and her clinical practice focuses on bone and soft tissue regeneration, and dental implant surgery. She is a board member of the OsteoScience Foundation, Past President of the AO, and Associate Editor of the JOMS.

Medical Optimization of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Patient: A Surgeon’s Perspective

Abstract
Although surgeons train to become technical experts who manage intraoperative and postoperative challenges, our patients are becoming significantly more complex. Whether we perform elective surgery on patients at extremes of age or patients present with more chronic diseases than we can count, we must be able to deliver predictable outcomes and surgical success. But, how do we get there? Gone are the days of only operating on young, healthy patients. Now, as oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs), our patients often have several medical providers, take a plethora of prescription and herbal supplements (not to mention an occasional illicit substance), and fail to maintain a healthy diet and fitness regimen. Favorable surgical outcomes depend greatly on an optimized patient who can handle anesthetic medications, quickly resume normal daily activities, heal hard and soft tissues without undue sequelae, and take in adequate nutrition. Post-surgical recovery is clearly coupled with maximized systemic health, where patients may need a preoperative “tuned-up”. This presentation will identify important risk factors, state-of-the-art diagnostics, and the latest regenerative strategies to help practicing OMS optimize our aged, osteoporotic, and compromised patients before surgical intervention.

Update on Complicated Implant Procedures and Treatment Alternatives

Abstract
Dental implants are a known and predictable treatment option for missing teeth, which is why most patients today desire this therapy. Although implant survival is extremely high, these favorable outcomes depend greatly on proper case selection, diagnosis and treatment planning, surgical and prosthetic execution, and management of complications. In addition, patients are continuously demanding more complicated treatment modalities with immediate placement and loading, using the most state-of-the art materials and techniques.

This presentation will update the practicing OMS on achieving the most ideal and successful implant outcomes, avoiding and managing complications, and utilizing new materials and technologies.

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Teresa G. Biggerstaff, DDS, MD

Teresa G. Biggerstaff, DDS, MD, a native of Washington State, began her training at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry.  She completed her Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training and medical school at LSU in New Orleans.  Training at LSU gave Dr. Biggerstaff the opportunity to evaluate and treat the entire spectrum of oral and maxillofacial problems.   Following completion of residency, she moved to North Carolina for a fellowship in Facial Cosmetic Surgery and has been in private practice in North Carolina ever since.   She enjoys private practice and also enjoys hosting and teaching residents in the Osteoscience Observership program.  She maintains a very busy oral surgery and facial surgery practice in two locations and owns and directs a medical spa as well.  Dr. Biggerstaff serves on the executive committee of the NC Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and serves on multiple committees for the Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The Role of Nutrition in the Healing of Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract
Bone grafting and soft tissue grafting has become more and more sophisticated over time due to the innovative development and use of biomaterials.  These regenerative procedures allow for dental rehabilitation utilizing dental implants.  Careful patient selection, surgical technique and selection of appropriate biomaterials and sound functional design are the foundational principles of predictable outcomes.  But sometimes, even when all of these guiding principles are followed, we still see failure of the regenerative procedure or failure of the dental implant.  Increasing evidence suggests that a lack of certain micronutrients may contribute to these failures.  We will review the effects of micronutrients on bone health, bone grafting, periodontal health, soft tissue healing, implant osseointegration and immune regulation and discuss strategies to optimize serum levels of micronutrients to prepare for regenerative procedures.  As our society continues to rely more and more on processed foods and fast foods that are less nutrient dense, we are seeing an increase in micronutrient deficiencies, especially in our patients who are more advanced in age.  These patients who are advanced in age also tend to be the ones most commonly seeking dental rehabilitation with dental implants.

Rui Fernandes, MD, DMD, FACS, FRCS

Rui Fernandes, MD, DMD, FACS, FRCS, is a University of Florida professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon at UF Health Jacksonville. He also serves as associate chair of the UF Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Jacksonville, chief of the Division of Head and Neck Surgery, and program director of the Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery and Microvascular Fellowship. He is also director of the UF Center for Reconstructive Surgery, and co-director of the UF Health Skull Base Surgery Program. 

Dr. Fernandes specializes in head and neck cancer, oral cancer, salivary gland pathology, jaw tumors, microvascular reconstructive surgery, and thyroid and parathyroid surgery. He received his dental degree from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, and his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama. He completed his residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at University of Alabama Hospital, as well as fellowship training in maxillofacial oncology and reconstructive surgery at the University of Maryland James L. Kernan Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Functional Mandibular Reconstruction and an Algorithm for Maxillary Reconstruction

Abstract
The reconstruction and rehabilitation of jaws following ablative surgery have been transformed in recent years by the development of computer-assisted surgery and virtual surgical planning. This presentation aims to discuss the current state-of-the-art jaw reconstruction, and to preview the potential future developments. Currently, a great deal of research has been conducted on augmented/mixed reality, artificial intelligence, virtual surgical planning for hard and soft tissue reconstruction, and the rehabilitation of the stomatognathic system. This will lead to an even more exciting future for the functional reconstruction and rehabilitation of the jaw following ablative surgery.  These concepts will be addressed for both the mandible and maxilla.

Casa Marina Key West, FL
1500 Reynolds Street
Key West, FL 33040
United States
casamarinaresort.com

Room Block Opens November 1, 2024

Registration opens January 1, 2025