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Clinical case

Editorial

November 3, 2025

A word from one passionate DDS Ambassador: Ziad Salameh, Embassy of Lebanon

Prof. Ziad Salameh

DDS, MSc, PhD

• Professor & Director, Research Center & The Center of Excellence in 3D Printing, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.

• Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University Beirut, Lebanon.

• Ambassador, Digital Dentistry Society, Lebanon.

• Reviewer in a number of journals specialized in dental sciences and author of more than 70 scientific papers published in PUBMED.

Dear DDS members,
Dear friends and Colleagues,

I have had the privilege of actively contributing to the Digital Dentistry Society (DDS), first as a member and later as an Ambassador in Lebanon. Throughout this journey, I have witnessed the remarkable scientific growth of the DDS and its crucial role in advancing digital technologies.

The DDS has successfully achieved its core mission of connecting dentists, dental technicians, students, and software engineers, while fostering research, communication, and collaboration among them. With a strong focus on education and training in digital dentistry—delivered through specialized courses, high-level publications, and advanced e-learning platforms—the DDS empowers professionals to expand their knowledge and enhance their clinical expertise.

Equally inspiring has been the organization of world-class congresses, which bring together leading international speakers and foster an environment that supports innovation, collaboration, and excellence. I had strongly encouraged colleagues to attend the DDS Global Congress in Venice, held on 16–18 October, which indeed set new benchmarks for innovation and excellence in digital dentistry.

The DDS is also actively engaged in validating and developing guidelines for the use of emerging technologies, further strengthening its global impact. Its scientific foundation is reinforced by its official collaboration with the entire digital section of the prestigious Journal of Dentistry.

Despite the very challenging circumstances of the past two years, our DDS Embassy in Lebanon proudly participated in the Congress in Florence last October, reaffirming our dedication and deep belief in the DDS’s mission and values. Looking ahead, we are committed to nurturing this momentum, expanding our activities, and ensuring that the DDS becomes a driving force for excellence, education, and innovation in the region. Under the outstanding leadership of President Mangano, supported by the board and past presidents, the DDS continues to radiate energy, vision, and inspiration.

 

Ziad Salameh,
Embassy of Lebanon

SOURCES

(1) Mangano FG, Yang KR, Lerner H, Admakin O, Mangano C. Artificial intelligence and mixed reality for dental implant planning: A technical note. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2024 Oct;26(5):942-953. doi: 10.1111/cid.13357. Epub 2024 Jun 28. PMID: 38940681.

(2). Pellegrino G, Mangano C, Mangano R, Ferri A, Taraschi V, Marchetti C. Augmented reality for dental implantology: a pilot clinical report of two cases. BMC Oral Health. 2019 Jul 19;19(1):158. doi: 10.1186/s12903-019-0853-y. PMID: 31324246; PMCID: PMC6642526.

(3) Engelschalk M, Al Hamad KQ, Mangano R, Smeets R, Molnar TF. Dental implant placement with immersive technologies: A preliminary clinical report of augmented and mixed reality applications. J Prosthet Dent. 2024 Mar 12:S0022-3913(24)00141-0. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.02.017. Epub ahead of print. Erratum in: J Prosthet Dent. 2024 Sep;132(3):656. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.03.023. PMID: 38480015.

(4) Mangano FG, Admakin O, Lerner H, Mangano C. Artificial intelligence and augmented reality for guided implant surgery planning: A proof of concept. J Dent. 2023 Jun;133:104485. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104485. Epub 2023 Mar 23. PMID: 36965859.

(5) Arunjaroensuk S, Yotpibulwong T, Fu PS, Wang JC, Hung CC, Mattheos N, Pimkhaokham A. Implant position accuracy using dynamic computer-assisted implant surgery (CAIS) combined with augmented reality: A randomized controlled clinical trial. J Dent Sci. 2024 Dec;19(Suppl 1):S44-S50. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2024.09.004. Epub 2024 Sep 26. PMID: 39807435; PMCID: PMC11725068.

(6) Arunjaroensuk S, Yotpibulwong T, Fu PS, Wang JC, Hung CC, Mattheos N, Pimkhaokham A. Implant position accuracy using dynamic computer-assisted implant surgery (CAIS) combined with augmented reality: A randomized controlled clinical trial. J Dent Sci. 2024 Dec;19(Suppl 1):S44-S50. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2024.09.004. Epub 2024 Sep 26. PMID: 39807435; PMCID: PMC11725068.

(7) Lai PL, Liu CT, Fu PS, Chen JH, Lan TH, Wang JC, Hung CC. Achieving new excellence in an augmented reality dental education system. J Dent Sci. 2024 Dec;19(Suppl 2):S136-S142. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2024.07.023. Epub 2024 Aug 16. PMID: 39807256; PMCID: PMC11725084.

(8) Shusterman A, Nashef R, Tecco S, Mangano C, Mangano F. Implant placement using mixed reality-based dynamic navigation: A proof of concept. J Dent. 2024 Oct;149:105256. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105256. Epub 2024 Jul 21. PMID: 39043329.

(9) Shusterman A, Nashef R, Tecco S, Mangano C, Lerner H, Mangano FG. Accuracy of implant placement using a mixed reality-based dynamic navigation system versus static computer-assisted and freehand surgery: An in Vitro study. J Dent. 2024 Jul;146:105052. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105052. Epub 2024 May 9. PMID: 38734298.

(10) Bochet Q, Raoul G, Lauwers L, Nicot R. Augmented reality in implantology: Virtual surgical checklist and augmented implant placement. J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2024 Oct;125(5S2):101813. doi: 10.1016/j.jormas.2024.101813. Epub 2024 Mar 6. PMID: 38452901.

(11) Fan X, Feng Y, Tao B, Shen Y, Wu Y, Chen X. A hybrid robotic system for zygomatic implant placement based on mixed reality navigation. Comput Methods Programs Biomed. 2024 Jun;249:108156. doi: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2024.108156. Epub 2024 Mar 27. PMID: 38555744.

(12) González-Rueda JR, Galparsoro-Catalán A, de Paz-Hermoso VM, Riad-Deglow E, Zubizarreta-Macho Á, Pato-Mourelo J, Hernández-Montero S, Montero-Martín J. Accuracy of zygomatic dental implant placement using computer-aided static and dynamic navigation systems compared with a mixed reality appliance. An in vitro study. J Clin Exp Dent. 2023 Dec 1;15(12):e1035-e1044. doi: 10.4317/jced.61097. PMID: 38186921; PMCID: PMC10767737.

(13) Takács A, Hardi E, Cavalcante BGN, Szabó B, Kispélyi B, Joób-Fancsaly Á, Mikulás K, Varga G, Hegyi P, Kivovics M. Advancing accuracy in guided implant placement: A comprehensive meta-analysis: Meta-Analysis evaluation of the accuracy of available implant placement Methods. J Dent. 2023 Dec;139:104748. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104748. Epub 2023 Oct 19. PMID: 37863173.

(14) Fan X, Tao B, Tu P, Shen Y, Wu Y, Chen X. A novel mixed reality-guided dental implant placement navigation system based on virtual-actual registration. Comput Biol Med. 2023 Nov;166:107560. doi: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107560. Epub 2023 Oct 11. PMID: 37847946.

(15) Sukotjo C, Bertucci DE, Patel JY, Yuan JC, Santoso M. Evaluating augmented reality e-typodont to improve a patient’s dental implant health literacy. J Prosthet Dent. 2023 Sep 13:S0022-3913(23)00539-5. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2023.08.012. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37714746.

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