Within this theme, the programme will examine how clinicians can manage demanding cases in which function, aesthetics, structural integrity, occlusion and tooth movement must be considered together. Lectures by leading international speakers such as Dr Anthony Mak, Prof. Marco Ferrari, Prof. Joseph Sabbagh and Prof. Michel Le Gall will address worn dentition, oral rehabilitation, fracture prevention in endodontics and orthodontic principles. Together, these presentations will highlight the importance of careful diagnosis, treatment sequencing and long-term planning in achieving stable and predictable outcomes. 

Long-term clinical evidence will also form part of Prof. Ferrari’s contribution to the programme. Reflecting on follow-up data of up to seven years on lithium disilicate and nano-ceramic resin-based restorations, he emphasised that both material groups can perform well when correctly indicated. In patients without signs of wear or parafunction, nano-ceramic resin-based material may provide a reliable solution, he said, whereas lithium disilicate is generally preferable when limited parafunction is present. In cases of very heavy parafunction, zirconia may be preferred because of its high strength and stiffness, he explained. 

“Ultimately, long-term success depends less on the material alone and more on correct diagnosis, proper case selection and ongoing functional monitoring,” Prof. Ferrari said. 

This emphasis on diagnosis and long-term stability connects Prof. Ferrari’s presentation with the wider rehabilitation theme of the symposium. Dr Mak’s paper on direct and indirect solutions for worn dentition, Prof. Sabbagh’s contribution to the session on fracture prevention in endodontics and Prof. Le Gall’s participation in the orthodontics excellence programme will each approach complex case management from a different area of dentistry. Together, the sessions will underline that successful rehabilitation depends not only on individual restorative choices but also on interdisciplinary planning, structural preservation, occlusal control, and the anticipation of future biological and functional risks. 

Well known for its focus on promoting international exchange and networking, GC is holding the symposium as part of its One Week of Excellence. The two-day scientific programme will be accompanied by social events and a cultural itinerary connecting international participants with the company’s Japanese heritage, including organised tours of Tokyo and the historic mountain town of Nikkō, as well as an introduction to the company’s precision manufacturing and research facilities. The event will be hosted at the Tokyo International Forum and will offer simultaneous interpretation into Japanese and English. More information about the programme and registration is available on the event website.