At the end of October 2025, the Osteology Foundation and the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology held an international competition for surgical periodontists. Participants were required to present, in a five-minute video, a detailed description of a complex clinical case, from the patient’s initial consultation to full recovery, including diagnostic results, final diagnosis, treatment goals, complete photo and video documentation of surgical interventions, and at least six months of follow-up outcomes.
The competition was conducted in two stages. Based on the submitted materials, five of the most outstanding and interesting cases were selected. These finalists then presented their cases during a live webinar on September 25, in front of a professional jury. The webinar was also attended by a wide audience of specialists eager to learn from the finalists’ practical experience.
Out of participants from around the world, only five doctors reached the final. Among them, the only woman representing Georgia was periodontist Dr. Tea Natsvlishvili, who was awarded an honorable second place. The winner was determined through the combined evaluation of the jury and votes from 1,200 periodontologists attending the international congress held in Florence.
Dr. Natsvlishvili’s presented case was considered exceptionally challenging. The patient, a 23-year-old woman, had previously undergone treatment for osteoblastoma of the maxilla, which had resulted in the extraction of four teeth. For several years, she used a removable prosthesis; however, in 2021, a failed bone augmentation attempt performed at another clinic led to serious complications: the wound reopened, the artificial bone was lost, and eventually, improper healing caused the buccal mucosa to fuse with the palatal mucosa, leading to facial asymmetry, cheek collapse, and the inability to retain a removable prosthesis.
The patient lived for nearly two years edentulous, experiencing severe aesthetic and functional imbalance. During that time, she consulted multiple maxillofacial surgeons in various countries but was repeatedly refused treatment due to the complexity and high risk of her condition.
Treatment was ultimately carried out through collaboration between Dr. Tea Natsvlishvili and Italian implantologist Dr. Mauro Merli. In 2023, during Dr. Merli’s professional visit to Georgia, the two specialists discussed the unique case and developed a joint treatment strategy.
The treatment plan was successfully completed and included: two surgical operations performed by Dr. Natsvlishvili, three surgical interventions by Dr. Merli, and final prosthetic restoration with implant-supported crowns in June 2025. Following completion of treatment, the young woman regained proper chewing function, jaw aesthetics, and facial symmetry, along with her smile, comfort, and self-confidence.
This case highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, individualized care, and long-term treatment planning in modern periodontology.
The Medscriptum team congratulates Dr. Tea Natsvlishvili on her well-deserved recognition by colleagues and her outstanding international achievement!
