Europe

Prof. Ulrich Joos is Emeritus Head of the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Münster and a Co-Founder of the IATMJ, serving as Honorary President. He is Medical Director of the Craniofacial Center Münster, Scientific Director of the International Medical College at TU Dresden, and Founder of the German Surgical Foundation (GSF/DCS). Over a career spanning more than three decades, Prof. Joos has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications with approximately 8,400 citations. His research contributions include the University of Münster model surgery system for orthognathic planning, long-term outcomes in functional cleft repair, implant-interface biomechanics, and bone regeneration strategies. He has served extensively on editorial boards and in academic leadership roles in German and international craniomaxillofacial surgery. He holds multiple honorary doctorates recognizing his contributions to surgical education and international collaboration.

OMF Surgery · CFC Münster; IMC TU Dresden;
German Surgical Foundation · Germany

IATMJ Honorary Founding President

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Ulrich Joos

Prof. Julio Acero Sanz is Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, and Full Professor of Surgery at the University of Alcalá. He holds multiple honorary doctorates from the University of Iasi and the National University of Athens, and is a Fellow ad eundem of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Prof. Acero served as Past President of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS, 2016–2017) and President of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery (EACMFS, from 2020), where he previously held the Education and Training Officer role for twelve years. His research focuses on oncologic and reconstructive head-and-neck surgery, salivary gland pathology, and bone regeneration. He has received the IAOMS Outstanding Committee Member Award and the ACOMS Humanitarian Award.

OMF Surgery · H.U. Ramón y Cajal & H.U. Puerta de Hierro; Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid · Spain

IATMJ Vice-President, Europe Chair

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Julio Acero Sanz

Prof. Günter Lauer is Director and Chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, a position he has held since 2011. He previously served as Professor of OMF Surgery at the University of Vienna. Prof. Lauer has authored over 375 peer-reviewed scientific publications, establishing him as one of Germany's most prolific researchers in the specialty. His primary research interests include regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, calcium phosphate cements for bone repair, computer-assisted secondary orbital reconstruction, and transoral endoscopic approaches to condylar fracture treatment. He founded and chairs a transdisciplinary working group on regenerative medicine at Dresden. His contributions to the field have been recognized with the Dentsply Young Talent Award. Prof. Lauer also serves as IATMJ Symposium Faculty.

OMF Surgery · University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (UKDD) · Germany

Prof. Dr. Dr. Günter Lauer

Prof. Andreas Neff is Medical Director and Chairman of the Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, a position he has held since 2007. He holds the FEBOMFS and an Honorary Professorship at Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv. Prof. Neff is a founding member and Past President of the European Society of TMJ Surgeons (ESTMJS, 2017–2019), former Head of the TMJ Section of SORG (2016–2022), and served on the Board of Directors of IBRA (2013–2021). He has coordinated TMJ surgery guidelines for the German Society of OMF Surgery. With over 400 publications, his research centers on functionally stable osteosynthesis of condylar fractures and alloplastic TMJ replacement in trauma settings. He received the Alex Motsch Prize in 2003.

OMF Surgery · University Hospital Marburg (UKGM); Philipps-Universität Marburg · Germany

Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Neff, FEBOMS, Prof. h.c.

Prof. Joël Ferri is Chairman and Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at CHU Lille and Professor at the Université de Lille, positions he has held since 1997. A pupil of the renowned Professor Delaire, Prof. Ferri has served as President of the International Bone Research Association (IBRA, 2004–2008), President of the French Society of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery (2011), and President of the European Society of TMJ Surgeons (ESTMJS, from 2017). He is a member of the Undiagnosed Disease Network International. His research covers orthognathic surgery, fibula free-flap mandibular reconstruction, masseter fiber-type composition and facial morphology, TMJ outcomes after orthognathic surgery, and condylar fracture management. Prof. Ferri has co-edited the Elsevier textbook on Preprosthetic and Maxillofacial Surgery and is an internationally recognized authority on surgical TMJ management.

OMF Surgery · CHU Lille — Hôpital Roger Salengro; Université de Lille · France

Prof. Dr. Dr. Joël Ferri

Prof. József Piffkó is Professor and Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Szeged, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Centre, and former Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. He holds dual doctoral degrees (DMD, MD, PhD) and additional qualifications in plastic operations (University of Münster) and Master of Oral Medicine in Implantology. Prof. Piffkó serves as Vice-President and Hungarian Director of the International Medical College and is a member of the German Society of OMF Surgery, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Szeged Committee), and IAOMS. His research focuses on orthognathic surgery and virtual planning accuracy, microsurgical reconstruction using the profunda artery perforator flap, oral cancer biomarkers, and advanced implant site preparation. His strong connections to both German and Hungarian academic traditions make him a valuable bridge within the IATMJ European network.

OMF Surgery · University of Szeged · Hungary

Prof. Dr. Dr. József Piffkó

Prof. Zsolt Németh is Director of the Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery and Stomatology at Semmelweis University, Budapest, a position he has held since 2016, and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry since 2013. He holds the PhD, med. habil., and FEBOMFS qualifications. Born in 1964, Prof. Németh graduated from Semmelweis Medical University in 1988 and has built a distinguished career in oral and maxillofacial surgery, oncology, and implantology. His research interests include bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, autologous bone grafting techniques, platelet-rich fibrin in regeneration, oral cancer biomarkers, and salivary gland surgery. He also maintains active expertise in reconstructive surgery. Prof. Németh's leadership of one of Central Europe's foremost OMF surgery departments, combined with his EACMFS and FEBOMFS credentials, strengthens the IATMJ's European academic base.

OMF Surgery · Semmelweis University, Budapest · Hungary

Prof. Dr. Zsolt Németh, med. habil., FEBOMFS

PD Dr. Thomas Fillies is Medical Director of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Head of the Head and Neck Tumor Center at Marienhospital Stuttgart. He holds dual qualifications as Facharzt für MKG-Chirurgie and Fachzahnarzt für Oralchirurgie, with additional certification in plastic operations and dental implantology. Trained at the University of Münster, Dr. Fillies built a substantial research record in head-and-neck oncology before moving to Stuttgart. His clinical focus encompasses orthognathic surgery with virtual planning and 3D imaging, tumor surgery of the head and neck, maxillofacial trauma, cleft surgery, and implantology. At Marienhospital Stuttgart, he leads a comprehensive multidisciplinary head-and-neck cancer program. Dr. Fillies is recognized as a specialist in TMJ and reconstructive surgery, and his expertise in digital surgical planning has advanced the standard of care at his institution.

OMF Surgery · Marienhospital Stuttgart · Germany

PD Dr. Dr. Thomas Fillies

Prof. Thomas Stamm is Professor and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Münster. He was appointed apl.-Professor in February 2015 and holds the Diplomate of the German Board of Orthodontics. Prof. Stamm has served as Editor-in-Chief of Head & Face Medicine since 2005, and has authored approximately 86 publications with over 1,500 citations. His research interests center on lingual orthodontics, including completely customized lingual appliances, 3D imaging and digital workflows in orthodontic treatment planning, Class III and two-phase orthodontic treatment, and the Münster Long-Term Study. His editorial leadership in Head & Face Medicine has positioned the journal as a key platform for interdisciplinary research linking orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and craniofacial diagnostics. Prof. Stamm contributes orthodontic expertise and a strong digital innovation perspective to the IATMJ founding cohort.

Orthodontics · Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (WWU) · Germany

Prof. Dr. Thomas Stamm

PD Dr. Kai Wermker is Chief Physician of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Centre for Dental Implantology, and Plastic-Aesthetic Facial Surgery at Klinikum Osnabrück. He holds dual specialist qualifications in MKG-Chirurgie and Oralchirurgie, with additional certification in plastic-aesthetic operations and a Master in Oral Medicine in Implantology. Trained at the University of Münster and Fachklinik Hornheide, Dr. Wermker serves on the board of DÖSAK, the German-Austrian-Swiss head and neck tumor working group. His research focuses on prognostic factors and metastatic patterns in oral and cutaneous malignancies, microvascular reconstruction, and patient-specific 3D-printed solutions for complex maxillofacial reconstruction. He is recognized as a specialist in head and neck oncology and brings expertise in digital planning and personalized surgical approaches to the IATMJ founding cohort.

OMF Surgery · Klinikum Osnabrück · Germany

PD Dr. Dr. Kai Wermker

Prof. Ariane Hohoff is Director of the Department of Orthodontics at the University Hospital Münster, holds a M. Sc. in Lingual Orthodontics and is a Diplomate of the German Board of Orthodontics. She is a certified member of the German Society of Lingual Orthodontics (DGLO) and the European Society of Lingual Orthodontics (ESLO). Prof. Hohoff's research encompasses lingual bracket systems and their biomechanical properties, combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment of complex craniofacial conditions including Apert syndrome, and the application of the Delaire/Joos osteotomy in surgical-orthodontic protocols. She has also contributed to the development of digital and e-learning tools in orthodontic education. As Director of a major university orthodontics department, Prof. Hohoff brings considerable clinical and academic expertise in the interplay between orthodontic mechanics and temporomandibular joint function to the IATMJ.

Orthodontics · University Hospital Münster (UKM) · Germany

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ariane Hohoff

Prof. Gero Kinzinger is Adjunct Professor (apl.-Prof.) in the Department of Orthodontics at Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, and maintains a private practice in Tönisvorst. He received his habilitation and venia legendi from RWTH Aachen in 2006 and was appointed apl.-Professor at RWTH Aachen in 2009. Prof. Kinzinger's research has focused on non-compliance molar distalization using fixed and miniscrew-anchored appliances, including the Distal Jet and Pendulum K systems. He has also studied the effects of functional orthodontic treatment on disc-condyle relations and pharyngeal airway dimensions, contributing directly to the interdisciplinary understanding of TMJ function in orthodontics. His work has been recognized with the Arnold-Biber-Preis (2006) and the DGKFO 100 Research Prize (2008). He serves on the editorial review board of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. IATMJ Symposium Faculty.

Orthodontics · Saarland University Hospital, Homburg · Germany

Prof. Dr. Gero Kinzinger

Prof. Ingrid Grunert is Director Emerita of the Clinical Division of Prosthodontics at the University Clinic for Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, where she served as division head from 1999. She completed her doctorate in Vienna in 1981 and her habilitation in 1994 with a thesis on the temporomandibular joints of edentulous patients, directly linking her career-long research to TMJ function. Prof. Grunert served as Chair of the ITI Section Austria (2008–2014) and Director of the ITI Study Club Innsbruck. She has authored over 70 publications and delivered more than 300 invited lectures. Her authored textbook on complete dentures, published by Quintessenz in 2003, is a standard reference in the German-speaking world. Her clinical focus includes gerodontology, implant-supported rehabilitation, and CAD/CAM prosthodontics. She is the sole Prosthodontics representative in the IATMJ European founding cohort.

Prosthodontics · Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI) · Austria

Prof. Dr. em. Ingrid Grunert

Prof. Martin Gosau is Director of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, the largest university OMF surgery clinic in Germany and Europe, and the first in Germany to receive DKG certification. He assumed the directorship in 2018. Prof. Gosau has authored approximately 361 publications, with research spanning biomaterials, antibacterial coatings, bone regeneration using dental stem cells, and microvascular reconstruction. His clinical focus includes cleft lip and palate surgery, dysgnathia correction, and head-and-neck tumor surgery with primary microvascular free-flap reconstruction. Prof. Gosau has extensive experience in humanitarian surgery through INTERPLAST missions in Myanmar, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Yemen, and Cambodia. He serves as IATMJ Symposium Faculty and brings significant expertise in translational biomaterials research to the Association.

OMF Surgery · University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) · Germany

Prof. Dr. Dr. Martin Gosau