Osteo Science Foundation

Bohan Lin, DDS, MD participated in the Clinical Observership Program last month. Dr. Lin visited COP Mentor, Luis F. Alicea, DMD at his private practice in FL spending two weeks learning the ins and outs of daily operations.

This experience gives OMS residents an inside look at what a private practice setting is like in a 1:1 atmosphere.

If you're interested in the Clinical Observership Program learn more now by visiting www.osteoscience.org.

"The Osteo Science Bone Symposium is a valuable academic forum that brings together clinicians, researchers, and trainees dedicated to advancing bone regeneration and reconstructive science. It offers an opportunity to learn from leaders in the field, discuss emerging techniques, and explore evidence-based innovations that directly impact patient care. For trainees, the symposium provides meaningful exposure to current research, mentorship, and professional networking. Attending this meeting supports both scientific growth and clinical development. It is an important venue for fostering collaboration and shaping the future of craniofacial reconstruction."

-Abdalla Asi, DMD | Osteo Science Foundation 2026 Bone Symposium Resident Travel Award Recipient

📢OMS Residents!

The online application is now open for our Clinical Observership Program. We invite residents to apply before August 1 to be considered as a participant.

Pictured here is recent COP participant, Jordan Cimilluca, DDS, with mentors Steven B. Kupferman, DMD, MD, FACS, Omar Kholaki, DDS, MD, FACS, and Nikole Pham, DMD.

Visit www.osteoscience.org for more information about the program.

Register now and join us Tuesday June 9 @ 8pm ET for a webinar presentation with Live Q&A featuring James C. Melville, DDS. Dr. Melville will present, "Universal Application of Modern Tissue Engineering in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction".

Visit www.osteoscience.org/ now to reserve your spot. All registration is complimentary.

"I am incredibly grateful to the Osteo Science Foundation for selecting me as a recipient of the Resident Travel Award and giving me the opportunity to attend the Bone Symposium in Houston, Texas. The experience exceeded my expectations — the lectures were thought-provoking and provided insights into the latest advancements relating to bone physiology, regeneration, and engineering. Hearing the interdisciplinary discussion between scientists, physicians, and surgeons from leading academic centers was invaluable and offered new perspectives for where regenerative medicine is headed in our specialty. The discussions around the effect of nutrition and the interconnection between muscle and bone were particularly impactful and will shape how I think about patient care in my day-to-day training. The Bone Symposium has given me a much deeper appreciation for the science behind what we do as oral and maxillofacial surgeons and a stronger drive to pursue my own scientific research when in practice."

Neil Mascarenhas, DDS
2026 Bone Symposium Resident Travel Award Recipient

"The Osteo Science Foundation 2026 Bone Symposium was an outstanding educational experience. Spanning fundamental science to clinical application, the program offered invaluable insights from world-renowned researchers and clinicians. Among the many excellent lectures, two talks in particular have stayed with me since.

Dr. Misch's presentation on horizontal and vertical bone augmentation was especially compelling. He surveyed a range of contemporary techniques while reframing the central clinical question, shifting the emphasis from how much bone remains to how much bone needs to be grown. His evidence-based algorithm for managing horizontal and vertical deficiencies has already begun to influence the way I evaluate and treatment-plan my patients on a daily basis.

The lecture on osteoporosis medications was equally valuable. I was introduced to Romosozumab, a newer anabolic agent that reduces fracture risk through a mechanism distinct from the anti-resorptive. Compared with the well-established literature on bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid and the RANKL inhibitor denosumab, data on Romosozumab and its association with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) remain relatively limited, a gap that, to me, represents a promising avenue for further investigation.

The cutting-edge science and clinical expertise shared by the faculty will undoubtedly shape my development throughout residency and my subsequent career as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Above all, though, nothing will top riding a bull in cowboy
boots and jeans."

Jaeyoung Choi, DDS
Osteo Science Foundation 2026 Bone Symposium Resident Travel Award Recipient

"Attending the Osteo Science Foundation Bone Symposium was an incredibly valuable experience that significantly contributed to my development as an oral and maxillofacial surgery resident. I am grateful to have received a resident travel award, which made it possible for me to participate in this high-level educational event. Lectures from leading experts in the field discussed the use of growth factors, biologics, and novel biomaterials to optimize bone healing and regeneration. I am hoping to implement some of these techniques in my own institution. Dr. Melville’s lecture on the "Universal Application of Modern Tissue Engineering in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction" resonated with me. In this lecture he discussed techniques in non-vascularized bone grafting that I am looking forward to employing at the University of Louisville. Overall, my experience at the Osteo Science Foundation Bone Symposium was both educational and inspiring and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to attend."

Chad Davidson, DMD, MD
OMS Resident
University of Louisville

Join us for the first Webinar with Live Q&A featuring the 2026 Bone Symposium lectures on May 20, 2026. Register now for, "Regenerating Function: Contemporary Role of Bone Grafting and Implant Therapy," by Edmond Bedrossian, DDS, FACD, FACOMS.

Abstract: The lack of internal loading of the alveolar bone leads to disuse atrophy of the edentulous alveolus. In the contemporary dental practices, the replacement of the missing tooth or teeth with dental implants has become very routine. The primary reason is that dental implants reintroduce internal loading of the alveolus and therefore slow down the resorption of the alveolar bony volume.

With this advantage of dental implants over other dental procedures for replacement of missing teeth, the contemporary clinician must bear in mind that dental implants are being placed in younger patients as compared to the past several decades. Even with implant therapy as well as bone grafting, the potential for bone resorption leading to functional and cosmetic complications still exist in the younger patients.

This presentation will discuss the role of autogenous, alloplastic as well as Xenografts in regeneration of form and function using dental implants. To select the most effective bone graft material, the contemporary clinician must bear in mind the specific properties of each type of bone graft. The pros and cons of grafting vs not grafting will be discussed guiding the clinicians to select evidence based surgical protocols to effectively tret their patients and prevent potential complications.

Reserve your spot now at www.osteoscience.org

"Attending the 2026 Bone Symposium gave me perspectives from both Research Scientists and Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons no other meeting or conference has done prior. I gained valuable insight from leading US and international scientists and clinicians on the biologic principles of bone grafting and bone regeneration, including how healing depends on blood supply, graft stability, space maintenance, and meticulous soft tissue management. I also learned more about the factors that influence dental implant healing and osseointegration, as well as how treatment planning can be adapted to different defect types and patient-specific conditions. An important takeaway was the role of patient optimization in improving outcomes, including assessment of systemic health, medications, smoking status, nutrition, history of antiresorptives and RANK ligand inhibitors, and history of radiation. The meeting also highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and refining surgical technique to improve predictability, reduce complications, and support long-term success. Lastly, I found exciting promising research on drugs like teriparatide and its potential applications for MRONJ."

-Alex Lee, DMD
2026 Bone Symposium Resident Travel Award Recipient
Medical University of South Carolina

Osteo Science Foundation is grateful for the generous support of MTF Biologics for the new MTF Biologics Allograft Research Award, which has been given for the first time to Darnell Kaigler, DDS, PhD, at University of Michigan. The MTF Biologics Research Award was developed to focus on regenerative research on bone allograft in particulate or fiber form. The funded projects are expected to further allograft tissue transplantation science and patient care. For nearly 40 years, MTF Biologics has advanced the science of tissue transplantation while positively affecting lives around the globe. They have supported more than $60 million towards research on the science of allograft transplantation, both within their own organization and through partnerships like this one with Osteo Science Foundation. The allograft tissues they process are used in a growing array of clinical applications - from aesthetics and chronic wound care to sports medicine and reconstructive surgery. We are honored to partner with them on the administration of this new research opportunity.

Congratulations to the first recipient of this award, Darnell Kaigler, DDS, PhD at University of Michigan. His research project is titled, "Stem cell mediated bone regeneration with allografts".

Visit www.osteoscience.org to learn more.