Peter K. Moy named to UCLA's Nobel Biocare Endowed Chair in Surgical Implant Dentistry

June 21, 2011

4 min read

The UCLA School of Dentistry has named noted oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Peter K. Moy, a leading authority on dental implants, the first holder of the Nobel Biocare Endowed Chair in Surgical Implant Dentistry.

Nobel Biocare, a world leader in the development of innovative restorative dental solutions, established the chair in 2006(Link is external) with the intention of enhancing the dental school's training and education programs in implant dentistry.

A dental implant is a device — most commonly a titanium screw placed in the jawbone — that can be used in combination with a prosthetic to replace a missing tooth. Over time, the titanium becomes embedded in new bone growth to offer a permanent solution that mimics the look, feel and function of natural dentition. Dental implants also can be used to support the placement of dentures, bridges or crowns or to stabilize orthodontic treatment.

UCLA's dental school was among the first in the country to introduce education and research programs in implant dentistry, as well as to incorporate implants in clinical practice.

"Nobel Biocare is committed to working with world-leading institutions such as the dental school at UCLA to advance the discipline of implant dentistry," said Thomas Reddy, vice president of professional relations for Nobel Biocare, North America. "The activities of this chair will be far-reaching and ultimately yield improvements in the standard of restorative dental care around the world."

A sought-after lecturer on implant surgical concepts in national and international forums, Moy has played a major role in the advancement of the dental implant field. He has published on the subject of computer-guided implant surgery and established risk factors for dental implant success.

As chair, Moy will deepen his involvement in the training of UCLA's dental students and residents, faculty colleagues, and other oral health care practitioners, nationally and internationally.

"It is an honor to be asked to lead the school's implant dentistry program," Moy said. "Working with my colleagues, my goal is to make UCLA a world-recognized center for excellence in the practice of dental implant therapies and surgical techniques, and in the training of that practice."

"Dr. Moy's expertise in the field of dental implants positions the UCLA School of Dentistry at the cutting edge of this burgeoning field," said Dr. No-Hee Park, the dental school's dean. "The endowed chair enables us to provide the highest level of patient care while we equip the next generation of dentists with the best possible training in the field. Additionally, the chair will energize research collaborations among UCLA faculty in disciplines such as dentistry and engineering, which I expect will translate to new clinical advances."

Moy received his degree in dentistry from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Dental Medicine in 1973. He completed a general practice residency program at Queen's Medical College in 1979 and received a certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1982.

Moy has held faculty positions at the UCLA School of Dentistry since 1982. He was appointed co-director of the UCLA Dental Implant Center in 1991. In 2003, he assumed sole directorship of the center and with it oversight of the Straumann Surgical Dental Clinic and the Nobel Biocare Surgical Fellowship Program.

He is an associate editor of the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and is active in several professional organizations, including the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Moy is the immediate past president of the Academy of Osseointegration, a leading scientific group in the field of dental implants.

The UCLA School of Dentistry has seven endowed chairs, all of which were established in the past 15 years. Moy was named to the Nobel Biocare Chair in October 2010.

Nobel Biocare(Link is external) (NOBN, SIX Swiss Exchange) is a world leader in innovative restorative and esthetic dental solutions. As a complete solutions provider, Nobel Biocare offers the most comprehensive range of solutions, from tooth to root, for single tooth to edentulous indications. The solutions portfolio covers dental implants (including the key brands NobelActive, Brånemark System and NobelReplace), as well as individualized prosthetics and equipment (NobelProcera guided surgery solutions and biomaterials). Nobel Biocare has more than 2,400 employees and recorded revenue of EUR 576.6 million in 2010. The company is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Production takes place at seven sites, located in Canada, Israel, Japan, Sweden and the U.S. Nobel Biocare has 34 direct sales organizations.

The UCLA School of Dentistry(Link is external) is dedicated to improving the oral health of the people of California, the nation and the world through its teaching, research, patient care and public service initiatives. The school provides education and training programs that develop leaders in dental education, research, the profession and the community; conducts research programs that generate new knowledge, promote oral health and investigate the cause, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral disease; and delivers patient-centered oral health care to the community and the state.