Editorial: Building Bridges for the Scientific Advancement of Prosthodontics

There are compelling reasons to be both proud and frustrated regarding our state of affairs in prosthodontics research and to be uncertain regarding our future. These views derive from my service to the IADR Prosthodontic Research Group as program chairman for a number of years, similar service to the Dental Materials Group, duties with research committees of prosthodontic organizations and opportunities to become familiar with research groups worldwide, both university- and industry-based. There has never been a more open mindset among prosthodontists regarding the need to stop teaching dogma and start defining, examining, and (our job) increasing the depth of the evidence-based supporting clinical practices. The future has never been brighter in terms of the significance level of contributions that researchers are poised to deliver to practicing prosthodontists. Our natural partnership with basic scientists and bodies of knowledge in “non-traditional” disciplines is becoming recognized. Our ranks are increasingly influenced by the energies and attention of scientists and clinician-scientists having advanced training in such areas as bone physiology, molecular biology, tissue engineering, surface metrology, materials science and the behavioral sciences.