PERIODONTOLOGY · IMPLANT DENTISTRY · INNOVATION

Prof. Dr. Nejat Nizam

A periodontist and inventor bringing science and clinical craft together in biology-driven implant dentistry and periodontal plastic surgery.

Book at Nifa Dent Research

citations: 1,500+; OpenAlex
h-index: 20; OpenAlex
granted patents: 3; US + 2 EP
countries using his surgical instrument: 50+; AA / NTV, 2020

Prof. Dr. Nejat Nizam at the Nifa Dent reception

A career where science meets the clinic

Prof. Dr. Nejat Nizam graduated from Ege University Faculty of Dentistry in 2003 and completed his PhD in the Department of Periodontology, Institute of Health Sciences, at the same university in 2009. He then served as a research assistant in the Department of Periodontology, became Associate Professor in 2015 and full Professor in 2022.

He has published more than 30 studies — most of them clinical — in internationally recognised journals. His main interests are periodontal plastic surgery, esthetic-zone implant therapy, soft tissue management, short/extra-short implants and sinus augmentation, and he has introduced several novel techniques to the literature.

His connective tissue graft harvesting instrument, the Nizam Punch (NIZAM Ring Punch), entered series production in Germany (Helmut Zepf) in 2019 after about five years of development and is used in more than 50 countries. Together with Dr. Stefan König and Swiss manufacturer Novodent SA he co-developed the i-system and i-LiNQ implant and prosthetic line. Its screwless, cold-welding conical implant–abutment connection is protected by a US patent (US 11,432,912) and two European patents (EP 3937833, EP 4059470) naming him as sole inventor.

At Ege University he supervised five specialty theses, and his work has been cited more than 1,500 times.

Prof. Nizam sees patients at Nifa Dent International in Bornova, İzmir, and continues his research through international university collaborations. He is a member of EAO, ITI, EFP/EuroPerio and the Turkish Osseointegration Society (OSSEDER). He speaks Turkish, English and Bulgarian.

Memberships: EAOITIEFP / EuroPerioOSSEDER
Languages: TurkishEnglishBulgarian

Career timeline

From graduation to patents, 2003 to today.

2003
Graduated from Ege University Faculty of Dentistry (DDS).
2003–2009
PhD — Department of Periodontology, Institute of Health Sciences, Ege University.
2009
PhD completed. Thesis: microsurgical versus conventional surgery for root coverage with connective tissue grafts (YÖK Thesis No. 260160).
2009–2015
Research Assistant, Department of Periodontology, Ege University Faculty of Dentistry.
2014
Joint microbiome and immunology papers with teams at UT Austin, the University of Washington and the University of Louisville; the mBio paper has been cited more than 380 times.
2015
Associate Professor.
2016
Scientific Committee, TDB 22nd International Dental Congress · Organising Committee, Turkish Society of Periodontology 46th Congress (İzmir).
2018
The "Ring Method" for connective tissue graft harvesting published (Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent) · Presentations at EuroPerio 9 (Amsterdam) and EAO (Vienna).
2019
Nizam Punch enters series production at Zepf (Germany) · EP priority filing (11 March 2019) · Osteology Symposium (Barcelona) presentation.
2020
PCT application, WO 2020/182798 · Anadolu Agency/NTV report: a method developed by a Turkish academic is used in more than 50 countries.
2021
i-system / i-LiNQ line presented at IDS Cologne · Interview and article in Implantologie Journal (Germany).
2022
Full Professor · US Patent 11,432,912 (6 September 2022).
2023
European Patents EP 3937833 B1 (12 July) and EP 4059470 B1 (15 November), both with unitary effect.
2026
Nifa Dent International · Invited speaker at congresses in Bursa, Muğla and Konya.

Two inventions born in the clinic

One harvests a soft tissue graft in a single step; the other closes the micro-gap between implant and abutment.

Nizam Ring Punch

Helmut Zepf Medizintechnik GmbH · Germany

Minimally invasive and predictable: a ring graft of uniform thickness, harvested in a single step.

Two nested punches

Two sharp punches on a body that mounts on a contra-angle handpiece cut two parallel circular incisions. The punch sits perpendicular to the tissue and at least 1 mm from adjacent teeth.

Suture-free donor site

The ring graft is lifted by blunt dissection with a fine elevator. The donor site is left unsutured to heal under the blood clot.

Four clinical uses

Peri-implant soft tissue augmentation, root coverage, papilla reconstruction and alveolar ridge preservation.

Designed to harvest a ring-shaped keratinised tissue graft of uniform thickness from the maxillary tuberosity. After about five years of development it entered series production in 2019 and is used in more than 50 countries, including Germany, the USA and Taiwan.

Scientific basis

Nizam N, Akcalı A. A Novel Connective Tissue Graft Harvesting Technique: The Ring Method. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2019;39(3):423-429.

DOI 10.11607/prd.2736 Zepf product brochure

Specifications

Catalogue no.: 08.921.00
Working length: 5 mm
Inner / outer diameter: 4 mm / 7 mm
Marking: CE
FDA GUDID: EZPF08921000

i-system and i-LiNQ implant line

Novodent SA · Switzerland · with Dr. Stefan König

Presented at IDS 2021 in Cologne, the line is built on biology-driven implant dentistry: instead of a screw, a steep conical connection locks by cold welding, minimising the micro-gap and bacterial leakage. An ultra-short plateau-design body offers an augmentation-free option in atrophic bone.

Connection: Screwless, steep conical, cold-welding
Taper angle: 1.5° (2 and 3 mm) · 1.3° (2.5 mm)
Manufacturing tolerance: 0.005 mm
Positioning: Square index — always seats the same way
Body: Ultra-short, plateau design

Patents

Dental Implant Assembly: an implant, an abutment and a conical connector between them. Nejat Nizam is the sole inventor on all three granted patents.

USGranted
United States · USPTO
US 11,432,912 B2
Granted
6 September 2022
Inventor
Nejat Nizam
Application 17/437,268 · Publication US 2022/0039925 A1
Open record : US 11,432,912 B2
US 11,432,912 B2
- The connector's upper and lower conical sections meet at a step; taper 1–6°, preferably about 3°.
- The connection is held by cold friction instead of a screw.
- A square index seats the abutment at the same angular position every time.
EPGranted
European Patent · EPO
EP 3937833 B1
Granted
12 July 2023
Inventor
Nejat Nizam
Application EP 20711837.3 · Unitary effect; 38 EPC states designated, including TR and CH
Open record : EP 3937833 B1
EP 3937833 B1
- Fewer micro-abrasions and bacterial niches from repeated removal and reinsertion.
- If soft tissue recedes, the connector's upper part can be cut off and the lower conical part used.
- Abutment height can be reduced without surgically removing the implant.
EPGranted
European Patent · EPO
EP 4059470 B1
Granted
15 November 2023
Inventor
Nejat Nizam
Divisional application EP 22171976.8 · Unitary effect
Open record : EP 4059470 B1
EP 4059470 B1
- An assembly in which the connector is one piece with the implant.
- The same conical, cold-welding, square-indexed connection principle.
- A screwless implant–abutment interface that minimises the micro-gap.

Patent family

Number	Type	Office	Date	Status
EP 19161962	Priority application	EPO	11 March 2019	Priority
WO 2020/182798 A1	International application (PCT/EP2020/056320)	WIPO	Filed 10 March 2020 · Published 17 September 2020	Published
US 11,432,912 B2	Patent	USPTO	Granted 6 September 2022	Granted
EP 3937833 B1	European patent	EPO	Published 19 January 2022 · Granted 12 July 2023	Granted
EP 4059470 B1	European patent (divisional)	EPO	Published 21 September 2022 · Granted 15 November 2023	Granted
ES 2969271 T3	EP translation	Spain	17 May 2024	Published

Research

32 articles indexed in PubMed, most of them clinical studies.

citations: 1,530; OpenAlex
h-index: 20; OpenAlex
i10-index: 24; OpenAlex
publications: 49; ResearchGate

Selected papers

2018Soft Tissue
A Novel Connective Tissue Graft Harvesting Technique: The Ring Method
Nizam N, Akcalı A
Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 39(3):423-429
DOI: A Novel Connective Tissue Graft Harvesting Technique: The Ring Method
2018Implant
Natural Tooth as the Permanent Reconstruction After Immediate Implantation in the Esthetic Zone of Periodontally Compromised Patients
Nizam N, Akcalı A
Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 38(6):887-893
DOI: Natural Tooth as the Permanent Reconstruction After Immediate Implantation in the Esthetic Zone of Periodontally Compromised Patients
2017Implant
Maxillary sinus augmentation with L-PRF and deproteinized bovine bone mineral: A split-mouth histological and histomorphometric study
Nizam N, Eren G, Akcalı A, Donos N
Clin Oral Implants Res 29(1):67-75
DOI: Maxillary sinus augmentation with L-PRF and deproteinized bovine bone mineral: A split-mouth histological and histomorphometric study
2014Soft Tissue
Micro- and macrosurgical techniques in the coverage of gingival recession using connective tissue graft: 2 years follow-up
Nizam N, Bengisu O, Sönmez Ş
J Esthet Restor Dent 27(2):71-83
DOI: Micro- and macrosurgical techniques in the coverage of gingival recession using connective tissue graft: 2 years follow-up

All PubMed publications

32 publications

2024
Dental implants coated with BMP-2- and α-tocopherol-loaded nanofibers enhance osseointegration
Karataş E, Karasulu HY, Azizoğlu GA, Öcal GK, Armağan G, Nizam N, Özkaya ÇA, Tezel H
Int J Pharm 670:125136
ImplantDOI: Dental implants coated with BMP-2- and α-tocopherol-loaded nanofibers enhance osseointegration
2020
Extra-Short Implants with Osteotome Sinus Floor Elevation: A Prospective Clinical Study
Nizam N, Gürlek Ö, Kaval ME
Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 35(2):415-422
ImplantDOI: Extra-Short Implants with Osteotome Sinus Floor Elevation: A Prospective Clinical Study
2019
Coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft or xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix in the treatment of multiple gingival recessions: A split-mouth RCT
Gürlek Ö, Gümüş P, Nizam N, Buduneli N
J Esthet Restor Dent 32(4):380-388
Soft TissueDOI: Coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft or xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix in the treatment of multiple gingival recessions: A split-mouth RCT
2019
Extra-short implants in the prosthetic rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla
Gürlek Ö, Kaval ME, Buduneli N, Nizam N
Aust Dent J 64(4):353-358
ImplantDOI: Extra-short implants in the prosthetic rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla
2018
A Novel Connective Tissue Graft Harvesting Technique: The Ring Method
Nizam N, Akcalı A
Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 39(3):423-429
Soft TissueDOI: A Novel Connective Tissue Graft Harvesting Technique: The Ring Method
2018
A novel soft tissue thickness measuring method using cone beam computed tomography
Gürlek Ö, Sönmez Ş, Güneri P, Nizam N
J Esthet Restor Dent 30(6):516-522
Soft TissueDOI: A novel soft tissue thickness measuring method using cone beam computed tomography
2018
Natural Tooth as the Permanent Reconstruction After Immediate Implantation in the Esthetic Zone of Periodontally Compromised Patients
Nizam N, Akcalı A
Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 38(6):887-893
ImplantDOI: Natural Tooth as the Permanent Reconstruction After Immediate Implantation in the Esthetic Zone of Periodontally Compromised Patients
2017
Intraoral versus extraoral cementation of implant-supported single crowns: Clinical, biomarker, and microbiological comparisons
Kıran B, Toman M, Buduneli N, Lappin DF, Toksavul S, Nizam N
Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 20(2):170-179
ImplantDOI: Intraoral versus extraoral cementation of implant-supported single crowns: Clinical, biomarker, and microbiological comparisons

Other publications and book chaptersNon-PubMed journals, German-language publications and book chapters.

2026Peri-implant Soft Tissue Defects (PSTDs): Etiology, Implications and Treatment OptionsTürk Diş Hekimliği Araştırma DergisiEN
2025BMP-2 / α-tocopherol-loaded nanofiber-coated implants (follow-up study)J Pharm InnovationEN
2021König S, Nizam N. Biologische Strategien zum periimplantären Gewebserhalt (case series)Implantologie Journal 12/2021, pp. 34–39DE
2021Interview: Biologisch orientiertes Implantat-Abutment-Design gegen Periimplantitis (G. Isbaner; König & Nizam)Implantologie Journal 12/2021, pp. 44–48DE
2020Effect of CPAP therapy on periodontal status in obstructive sleep apnea patients: 6-year follow-upActa Odontologica TurcicaEN
2019Salivary Resistin and TNF-α Levels in Different Periodontal DiseasesEge Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi DergisiEN
2019Erişkin Hastaların Multidisipliner Tedavisinde Periodontal YaklaşımlarBook chapterTR
2017The Suture Techniques and Materials Used in Periodontal Surgery: ReviewEge Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi DergisiEN/TR
2017Microleakage in restorative materialsAnnals of DentistryEN
2016Transplante de tecido vestibular (Portuguese edition)Int J Esthet Dent (PT)PT
2016Rezektif Periodontal Cerrahi ve Lazer (chapter)Türkiye Klinikleri Periodontoloji – Özel KonularTR
2014Nizam N, Akcalı A. Dişeti Çekilmelerinin Tedavisinde Mikrocerrahi (review)Atatürk Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi Dergisi 24(2):283–290TR
2014Implant Site Preparation with Hard and Soft Tissue Augmentation in Esthetic Zone: A Case ReportEge Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi DergisiEN
2014A Minimal-Invasive Approach for Excessive Gingival DisplayEge Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi DergisiEN
2014Soft Tissue Augmentation in the Treatment of Alveolar Ridge Defects: A ReviewEge Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi DergisiEN
2014Pain and gender after non-surgical periodontal treatmentGülhane Tıp DergisiTR/EN
2013Microsurgical double papilla flap with connective tissue graftGaziantep Medical JournalEN

Theses

PhD thesis (2009, YÖK Thesis No. 260160)

Evaluation of the clinical outcomes of microsurgical and conventional periodontal surgery in root coverage with connective tissue grafts.

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Şule Sönmez · 42 defects

tezara.org

Supervised specialty theses — Ege University, Periodontology

2025Ata İlgenliBiologic width by tooth type; correlation of gingival and alveolar bone thickness (CBCT)
2022Övgü ÖzyürekEffect of implant manufacturing tolerance on implant–abutment micro-gap and sealing
2022İrem Aras Gülgönülco-supervisorPEEK versus titanium abutments in single immediate implants
2019Rouzbeh FazeliMagnetic mallet versus conventional technique in osteotome sinus floor elevation (RCT)
2019Aylin AvcıEffect of drilling speed on implant stability and postoperative pain

Academic profiles

Most cited: Metatranscriptomics of the human oral microbiome during health and disease (mBio 2014), more than 380 citations.

International collaborations: University of Texas at Austin, University of Washington, University of Louisville, University of Glasgow, University of Helsinki, Queen Mary University of London.

Talks and congresses

Invited lectures, committee roles and international presentations.

1–4 October 2026
Necmettin Erbakan University 4th International Dentistry Congress
Biology-based soft tissue management in esthetic-zone implant therapy
KonyaInvited speaker
12–13 June 2026
Muğla Chamber of Dentists — 3rd Karya Friendship Congress (Turkish–Greek)
Biology-driven implant dentistry
Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Cultural CentreInvited speaker
4–5 April 2026
Bursa Chamber of Dentists Symposium
Understanding biology in implant dentistry: difficult cases, simple solutions
BAOB Stage, Nilüfer / BursaSpeaker
April 2025
İzmir Chamber of Dentists Student Congress
DEU Sabancı Cultural Centre, İzmirSpeaker (second time)
10 December 2022
Balıkesir Chamber of Dentists (with i-LiNQ)
Simplified implant dentistry
BalıkesirSpeaker
22 March 2022
Turkish Osseointegration Society (OSSEDER) online scientific meeting
OnlineSpeaker
27 October 2017
GREATIST 2017, TDB-accredited symposium
Which implant, when?
Grand Cevahir Hotel, IstanbulSpeaker
19–21 May 2016
Turkish Dental Association 22nd International Dental Congress
İzmirScientific Committee member
5–6 May 2016
Turkish Society of Periodontology 46th Scientific Congress
Hilton İzmirOrganising Committee member · 2 oral presentations, 4 posters

In the press

Areas of expertise

Periodontal Plastic Surgery
Gum recession treatment, connective tissue grafts, microsurgery.
Esthetic-Zone Implant Dentistry
Immediate implants, biology-based soft tissue management.
Short and Extra-Short Implants
Augmentation-free options in the atrophic posterior maxilla, osteotome sinus elevation.
Hard and Soft Tissue Augmentation
Sinus lift, GBR, L-PRF.
Full-Mouth Rehabilitation
All-on-4 / All-on-6, same-day implants, zygomatic implants.
Periodontal Treatment
Gum disease, curettage, crown lengthening.