As medical professionals know, plastic surgery is not always just for aesthetics. Physical health benefits can, and often do, accompany many procedures. Periodontal plastic surgery is a popular and beneficial option for patients looking to improve their smile, yet it is also an important means of treating such anomalies as gingival recession and root exposure, “gummy” smile, and atrophy in the gums and jawbone after tooth loss. To maximize esthetic restorative potential, the gingival tissue and bone surrounding a dental restoration must be sufficient.

Over 30 years ago, the concept of a plastic surgery study club first came about at the American Academy of Periodontology’s Annual Meeting.  In 1987 P.D. Miller’s classification of marginal concept of periodontal plastic surgery was new, and a group of talented and inquisitive clinicians decided to form a club to delve further into the realm of oral plastic surgery. Initially, the study club was limited to 20 clinicians who would give presentations on various aspects of mucogingival surgery. In addition to Drs. Nordland and Miller, some of the early participants were such renowned leaders in periodontics as Drs. Jay Siebert, Gary Maynard, Pat Allen, Herman Corn, Jim Mellonig, Ron Nevins, Burt Langer, Bob Shallhorn, and Randy Harris.

The interest and focus of the group expanded as international dentists and educators expressed interest in joining. Dr. Yoshihiro Ono from Japan joined the group, bringing with him a contingent of Japanese dentists to the organization’s annual meeting. Dr. Peter Raetzke from Germany, who published on the subepithelial connective tissue graft, became an active participant. Before long, what had been known as the periodontal plastic surgery study club became the International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons (ISPPS), and membership was opened to surgeons interested in periodontal plastic surgery.

Under present leadership, ISPPS is currently comprised of dental specialists throughout the world, most of whom are full-time clinicians and educators. The society meets annually the day before the AAP annual meeting to present new, innovative, and often unpublished material and techniques or modifications/refinements to existing techniques in the field of periodontal plastic and reconstructive surgery, aimed at improving overall esthetics to the benefit of patients long-term. Lively and stimulating, these presentations are limited to 15 minutes, with 5 to 10 minutes for discussion, a format that has proven to be very popular. This format allows many ideas to be presented in a brief period. The group’s passion is to disseminate this information while mentoring younger members of the organization.

ISPPS welcomes new members who have an interest in periodontal plastic surgery. In addition, students in periodontal residency programs are encouraged to attend the annual meeting. Fellowship in the ISPPS is attained after presenting to the group at three meetings.

The mission of the ISPPS is to present cutting-edge, often unpublished material, or modifications to existing techniques in the field of periodontal plastic and reconstructive surgery, to improve the overall esthetics to the benefit of patients long­term.

With new technology come new surgical treatments that are achievable and predictable. Working with the restorative dentist, the periodontal plastic surgeon can enhance treatment, with the patient being the ultimate beneficiary.