CareCapital Honors Prof. P. I. Brånemark, Pioneer of Modern Dental Implantology, at 2022 Osseointegration Day Commemorative Forum
On May 10, 2022, Shimbogroup, in collaboration with the Brånemark Osseointegration Center and *China Medical Tribune · Today's Dentistry*, co-hosted a large-scale online event for the 2022 International Osseointegration Day—the “Inheritance and Innovation Across Centuries: Commemorative Forum for Professor P. I. Brånemark, the Father of Modern Dental Implantology.” The forum specially invited numerous pioneers in the field of dental implantology in China to gather online, jointly commemorating the profound friendship between Professor Brånemark and the Chinese stomatological community, and carrying forward his spirit of dedication and rigorous research for the advancement of human health.
As one of the events for International Osseointegration Day on May 3, 2022, this forum adopted an innovative approach by leveraging remote connections and live streaming to overcome the challenges of in-person gatherings during the pandemic. It featured distinguished guests including Professor Zhao Yimin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Director of the International Museum of Stomatology, and former President of Air Force Medical University; Professor Wang Xing, Honorary President of the Chinese Stomatological Association; Professor Liu Baolin, Former Honorary Chairman of the Implant Dentistry Committee of the Chinese Stomatological Association; Professor Lin Ye, Former Chairman of the Implant Dentistry Committee and affiliated with Peking University School of Stomatology; Professor Li Dehua, Former Chairman of the Implant Dentistry Committee and affiliated with the School of Stomatology at Air Force Medical University; Professor Shi Bin, Vice Chairman of the Implant Dentistry Committee and affiliated with Wuhan University School of Stomatology; Dr. Robert Gottlander, Co-Chairman of the Brånemark Osseointegration Center and Executive Director of Shuangbai Investment Group; Mr. Feng Dai, Partner at Shuangbai Investment Group; and numerous other renowned domestic experts in dental implantology. Together, they shared insights with tens of thousands of online viewers on Professor Brånemark’s significant contributions to the development of global stomatology and the discipline of dental implantology in China.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Professor Brånemark established the theory of osseointegration based on his discovery that metallic titanium can form a biological bond with bone, thereby laying the foundation for modern dental implant technology. Currently, dental implant techniques based on the principle of osseointegration have become the primary method for restoring missing teeth. Since Professor Brånemark’s discovery of osseointegration, tens of millions of edentulous patients worldwide have regained chewing function, speech clarity, and facial aesthetics, while experiencing significant improvements in their psychological well-being. The theory of osseointegration has also provided substantial impetus to advancements in orthopedic trauma medicine, prosthetic rehabilitation, and neurosurgery, emerging as a pivotal scientific discovery influencing the course of human medical development. Consequently, Professor Brånemark was nominated for the Nobel Prize twice.
At the forum, Academician Zhao Yimin summarized three key insights from Professor Brånemark’s research journey for contemporary colleagues in the field of stomatology: do not overlook anomalous findings but pursue them with further investigation; upon achieving theoretical breakthroughs, continue to develop and translate them into clinical applications; and once clinical application breakthroughs are made, continuously expand their scope. He stated, “The spiritual legacy left to us by Professor Brånemark is one of rejecting conservatism and pursuing continuous innovation. This spirit has profoundly inspired and encouraged dentists worldwide to engage in relentless exploration.”
Regarding the rationale behind hosting this commemorative forum in honor of Professor Brånemark, Mr. Feng Dai of Songbai Investment stated, “Professor Brånemark was not only a distinguished scientist and medical luminary but also a selfless, benevolent philanthropist and educator. The coexistence of these two attributes is by no means accidental; rather, they are complementary. As a builder of the dental industry, Songbai firmly upholds the values advocated by Professor Brånemark. Together with dental healthcare professionals across the field, we are committed to contributing our efforts through patient research and development to advance China’s dental sector and promote global human health.”
Professor Brånemark shared a profound connection with the field of dental implantology in China. In the 1980s, Professor Liu Baolin and other pioneering Chinese physicians traveled to the Brånemark Osseointegration Center in Sweden to study dental implant techniques. In 2000, at the age of 70, Professor Brånemark personally visited China to deliver lectures. Following his passing, he donated his valuable research materials and personal effects, free of charge, to the International Stomatology Museum located in Xi’an. The rapid development of dentistry in China is inseparable from Professor Brånemark’s contributions; his innovative spirit has inspired countless founders of dental implantology in China.
Looking ahead, China’s dental implant sector still bears significant responsibility in actively addressing the prevalent issue of long-term tooth loss or complete edentulism among nearly half of the elderly population. According to the results of the 4th National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey released in 2017, individuals aged 65 to 74 years had an average of 22.5 remaining teeth, with a mean of 9.5 missing teeth per person. The prevalence of complete edentulism was 4.5%, and only 63.2% of those with missing teeth received prosthetic restoration, indicating that nearly half of the elderly failed to receive timely rehabilitation for their tooth loss.
Guided by the Master’s profound dedication and selfless commitment to continuous innovation in human medicine, the field of dental implantology in China has found its direction. On the journey from becoming a major player to a global leader in dental implants, we must remain true to our original aspirations, live up to the Master’s high expectations, and forever uphold the Brånemark spirit, propelling the development of China’s dental implant medicine toward an even more brilliant future.
Songbai Investment Group, established in 2015, is a global investment and operational group dedicated to the dental industry. Committed to being a builder of the dental discipline and industry, Songbai provides a long-term, stable development platform for dental professionals and enterprises. By understanding the vision of dental practitioners and addressing pain points across the entire upstream, midstream, and downstream industrial chain, the group focuses particularly on technological R&D, medical education, and information technology. Its portfolio of controlled operating companies and strategic investments in dental enterprises now spans key regions including Asia, North America, and Europe.
In the field of technological R&D, Songbo boasts industry-leading management teams and R&D capabilities in invisible orthodontics, dental implants, bone regeneration, imaging, intraoral scanning, and prosthodontics. Its controlled subsidiaries include Angelalign, Purgo Biologics, and Neoss Implant System, while its equity investments span Carestream Dental, Aidite, Putian Medical, Pintech, DeepCare, Lianyao Medical, uLab, and Orthobrain. Strategic partners include Germany’s BEGO and South Korea’s Medit.
In the field of medical education, Songbo Holdings has invested in and holds stakes in large dental healthcare institutions and chain clinics, introduced global educational resources, established well-equipped dental training and education centers, and delivers high-quality dental care services to patients through its network of dental healthcare institutions across China and Europe.
In the field of information technology, Songbai has built its own IT team to empower a vast network of dental distributors and healthcare service providers across China, thereby enhancing its service capabilities for both dentists and manufacturers. Through investments in Songbai Dental and Xinhua Guang Dental, Songbai is driving the digital transformation and industrial upgrading of the midstream dental sector.