Oral Biology, Bone Regeneration and Evidence-Based Dentistry
I currently work in the Biomaterials and Technology Lab at the University Center for Dental Medicine Basel (UZB), led by Prof. Nadja Rohr. My current research investigates how biomaterial and implant surface properties influence cellular responses, osteogenic differentiation, and tissue integration.
My broader research interests include oral tissue biology, inflammation, and bone regeneration. My experience spans experimental studies, clinical trials, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis in periodontology and implant dentistry. I also conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses and have contributed to consensus initiatives through evidence synthesis, connecting experimental findings with clinically relevant questions.
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Selected Publications
, Zandinejad, Amirali, Beltrao, Rodrigo, Schick, Fabian, & Rohr, Nadja. (2026). ZrO Summit 2025, Group 4: Biological Complications and Peri-implant Tissue Response of Zirconia Compared with Titanium Dental Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Evidence [Journal-article]. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.11607/jomi.11786
, Zandinejad, Amirali, Beltrao, Rodrigo, Schick, Fabian, & Rohr, Nadja. (2026). ZrO Summit 2025, Group 4: Biological Complications and Peri-implant Tissue Response of Zirconia Compared with Titanium Dental Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Evidence [Journal-article]. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.11607/jomi.11786
, Heimel, Patrick, Lettner, Stefan, Miron, Richard J., Kampleitner, Carina, Panahipour, Layla, Kuchler, Ulrike, & Gruber, Reinhard. (2026). Plasma-Coated Collagen Membranes Gain Barrier Function Through Heat Treatment. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17020095
, Heimel, Patrick, Lettner, Stefan, Miron, Richard J., Kampleitner, Carina, Panahipour, Layla, Kuchler, Ulrike, & Gruber, Reinhard. (2026). Plasma-Coated Collagen Membranes Gain Barrier Function Through Heat Treatment. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17020095
Aellos, F., Chang, E., Jeong, E., Liu, B., Yuan, X., Nazari, R., Hermans, F., Torabi, M.M., Ochweri, P.C., Cuevas, P., Rao, S., , Sandoval, A., Coyac, B.R., Lambrichts, I., & Helms, J.A. (2026). WNT Signaling Modifies Barrier Functions of Junctional and Pocket Epithelium. Journal of Dental Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345261458716
Aellos, F., Chang, E., Jeong, E., Liu, B., Yuan, X., Nazari, R., Hermans, F., Torabi, M.M., Ochweri, P.C., Cuevas, P., Rao, S., , Sandoval, A., Coyac, B.R., Lambrichts, I., & Helms, J.A. (2026). WNT Signaling Modifies Barrier Functions of Junctional and Pocket Epithelium. Journal of Dental Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345261458716
, Heimel, Patrick, Dobsak, Toni, Tangl, Stefan, Loo, Geert van, Bosshardt, Dieter D., & Gruber, Reinhard. (2026). Myeloid A20 Regulates Periodontal Tissue Integrity and Temporomandibular Joint Structure. Journal of Periodontal Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/jre.70119
, Heimel, Patrick, Dobsak, Toni, Tangl, Stefan, Loo, Geert van, Bosshardt, Dieter D., & Gruber, Reinhard. (2026). Myeloid A20 Regulates Periodontal Tissue Integrity and Temporomandibular Joint Structure. Journal of Periodontal Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/jre.70119
Yonezawa, Daichi, , Iezzi, Giovanna, Piattelli, Adriano, Ferri, Mauro, & Botticelli, Daniele. (2024). The Influence on Osseointegration of Immediate Functional Loading on Single Crowns: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Mouth Controlled Clinical Trial with Histomorphometric Evaluation. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, 39(5), 669–706. https://doi.org/10.11607/jomi.10759
Yonezawa, Daichi, , Iezzi, Giovanna, Piattelli, Adriano, Ferri, Mauro, & Botticelli, Daniele. (2024). The Influence on Osseointegration of Immediate Functional Loading on Single Crowns: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Mouth Controlled Clinical Trial with Histomorphometric Evaluation. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, 39(5), 669–706. https://doi.org/10.11607/jomi.10759
Nakajima, Yasushi, , Botticelli, Daniele, Lang, Niklaus Peter, De Rossi, Ermenegildo Federico, & Xavier, Samuel Porfirio. (2023). Mucosal adhesion phenomenon after maxillary sinus floor elevation: A preclinical study. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 34(9), 967–978. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14123
Nakajima, Yasushi, , Botticelli, Daniele, Lang, Niklaus Peter, De Rossi, Ermenegildo Federico, & Xavier, Samuel Porfirio. (2023). Mucosal adhesion phenomenon after maxillary sinus floor elevation: A preclinical study. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 34(9), 967–978. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14123
, Heimel, Patrick, Lee, Jung Seok, Tangl, Stefan, Kuchler, Ulrike, Marchesan, Julie, Panahipour, Layla, Lettner, Stefan, Matalová, Eva, & Gruber, Reinhard. (2023). FasL is a catabolic factor in alveolar bone homeostasis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 50(3), 396–405. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13750
, Heimel, Patrick, Lee, Jung Seok, Tangl, Stefan, Kuchler, Ulrike, Marchesan, Julie, Panahipour, Layla, Lettner, Stefan, Matalová, Eva, & Gruber, Reinhard. (2023). FasL is a catabolic factor in alveolar bone homeostasis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 50(3), 396–405. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13750
, Heimel, Patrick, Lee, Jung-Seok, Tangl, Stefan, Strauss, Franz J., Stähli, Alexandra, Matalová, Eva, & Gruber, Reinhard. (2021). FasL Is Required for Osseous Healing in Extraction Sockets in Mice. Frontiers in Immunology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.678873
, Heimel, Patrick, Lee, Jung-Seok, Tangl, Stefan, Strauss, Franz J., Stähli, Alexandra, Matalová, Eva, & Gruber, Reinhard. (2021). FasL Is Required for Osseous Healing in Extraction Sockets in Mice. Frontiers in Immunology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.678873
Hirota, Atsuya, Lang, Niklaus P., Ferri, Mauro, Fortich Mesa, Natalia, , & Botticelli, Daniele. (2019). Tomographic evaluation of the influence of the placement of a collagen membrane subjacent to the sinus mucosa during maxillary sinus floor augmentation: a randomized clinical trial [Journal-article]. International Journal of Implant Dentistry, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40729-019-0183-5
Hirota, Atsuya, Lang, Niklaus P., Ferri, Mauro, Fortich Mesa, Natalia, , & Botticelli, Daniele. (2019). Tomographic evaluation of the influence of the placement of a collagen membrane subjacent to the sinus mucosa during maxillary sinus floor augmentation: a randomized clinical trial [Journal-article]. International Journal of Implant Dentistry, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40729-019-0183-5
, Soto-Peñaloza, David, Nakajima, Yasushi, Papageorgiou, Spyridon N., Botticelli, Daniele, & Lang, Niklaus P. (2018). Biological and technical complications of tilted implants in comparison with straight implants supporting fixed dental prostheses. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 29, 295–308. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.13279
, Soto-Peñaloza, David, Nakajima, Yasushi, Papageorgiou, Spyridon N., Botticelli, Daniele, & Lang, Niklaus P. (2018). Biological and technical complications of tilted implants in comparison with straight implants supporting fixed dental prostheses. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 29, 295–308. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.13279
Hämmerle, Christoph H. F., Cordaro, Luca, , Botticelli, Daniele, Esposito, Marco, Colomina, Lino E., Gil, Alfonso, Gulje, Felix L., Ioannidis, Alexis, Meijer, Henny, Papageorgiou, Spyridon, Raghoebar, Gerry, Romeo, Eugenio, Renouard, Franck, Storelli, Stefano, Torsello, Ferruccio, & Wachtel, Hannes. (2018). Biomechanical aspects: Summary and consensus statements of group 4. The 5 th EAO Consensus Conference 2018. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 29, 326–331. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.13284
Hämmerle, Christoph H. F., Cordaro, Luca, , Botticelli, Daniele, Esposito, Marco, Colomina, Lino E., Gil, Alfonso, Gulje, Felix L., Ioannidis, Alexis, Meijer, Henny, Papageorgiou, Spyridon, Raghoebar, Gerry, Romeo, Eugenio, Renouard, Franck, Storelli, Stefano, Torsello, Ferruccio, & Wachtel, Hannes. (2018). Biomechanical aspects: Summary and consensus statements of group 4. The 5 th EAO Consensus Conference 2018. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 29, 326–331. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.13284