YITI Lounge: Navigating modern implant dentistry—from prosthetic planning to digital verification, are we there yet?

Dr. Lee Yin Ci is a specialist in Prosthodontic Dentistry and works as a Lecturer at the IMU University. Dr. Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree in 2012 and furthered her studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland where she obtained a Doctorate in Prosthodontics in 2019 and subsequently obtained a Specialty Membership in Prosthodontics by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Dr. Lee’s exposure to the International Team for Implantology (ITI) began during her postgraduate training at the University of Edinburgh. This experience provided her with valuable insights and expertise in implant dentistry, greatly contributing to her comprehensive skill set in Prosthodontics and Implants. Dr. Lee actively lectures and nurtures undergraduate and postgraduate students in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry. She has also been appointed as an examiner for MFDS exam by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Her research interest lies in digital dentistry in prosthodontics and implantology.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Lee actively practices dentistry in her private clinic. Her areas of interest are minimally invasive dentistry, full mouth rehabilitation with a combination of direct composite resins, removable prostheses, fixed prostheses (crowns and bridges) and prosthetic driven dental implants. Her dedication to advancing the field is evident through her multifaceted contributions in both academia and clinical practice.

Dr. Ghida Lawand earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from Beirut Arab University, Lebanon, and pursued a Master’s degree in Prosthodontics and Esthetic Dentistry at Saint Joseph University, Lebanon. She has served as a clinical and digital instructor in the Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics Department at Beirut Arab University. In addition to her academic role, she has practiced dentistry in her private practice and at Tohme Clinic. Currently, Dr. Lawand is an ITI Scholar at the University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. In 2018, she won the Middle East and North Africa regional finals of the Global Clinical Case Contest held by Dentsply Sirona. In 2024, she was awarded the Audience Favorite Award at the World Series Final of the Young ITI Day in Singapore. Dr. Lawand has contributed to the field of prosthodontics, digital dentistry, and implantology through her publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Oon Take Yeoh is an academic staff and specialist prosthodontist in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. Currently, he is the Course Coordinator for the teaching of Operative Dentistry and the task force member for the inception and conduct of teaching of digital dentistry to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Dr. Yeoh is also active in the field of implant dentistry. He received great teaching and mentorship in the field of implant dentistry from prestigious ITI fellows during his postgraduate training in University of Melbourne. Currently, he is also actively conducting courses which focus on digital dentistry and implant dentistry particularly on chairside digital workflow and also digital implant planning and prosthetic workflow. Dr. Yeoh had recently been appointed as the study club director for ITI Malaysia Study Club Plus.

Dr. Yeoh’s current research interests are in the field of dental adhesives, dental ceramics, digital dental technology and implant prosthodontics. His clinical expertise includes conventional fixed and removable prosthodontics, oral rehabilitation, implant prosthesis (fixed and removable) and CAD/CAM workflow (laboratory and chairside).

Dr. Edward Chaoho Chien is currently serving as an Assistant Professor and Assistant Program Director of Postgraduate Prosthodontics in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, New Jersey, USA. He obtained his dental education from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan, after which he joined his family dental practice at Datun Dental Clinic, Wufung, Taiwan.

Dr. Chien completed his specialty training in Prosthodontics and earned his Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, USA in 2017. He has a wealth of experience having served as a former ITI Scholar, Assistant Professor, and former Co-Chair of the ITI Scholarship Center at the Academic Center of Dentistry in Amsterdam (ACTA), Netherlands. Presently, Dr. Chien is an ITI Fellow, serving as the chair of the Young International Team of Implantology (YITI) Global, a member of the Future Leaders in Prosthodontics (FLiP) group, and a part of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics (AAFP) research committee. He also provides scientific advisory support to the ITI Blog, active journal reviewer, and mentors numerous Masters and Ph.D.