09 August 2023

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Featured dentist: Dr. Alexandre Marques, a father, dentist, professor and student

Mary Guiden

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Dr. Alexandre Marques is passionate about his work as a dentist. A member of the International Academy of Ceramic Implantology, he was awarded third place in a poster competition at the organization’s 2023 congress, where he showcased findings from a prospective study of a new two-piece ceramic implant. Dentistry33 has published several case studies from Marques, who is based in Rio de Janeiro. He said that life is good in 2023 and he’s thriving as a father, dentist, professor and student. Dentistry33 loves that and appreciates his enthusiasm for the dental realm. An edited transcript follows. 

Q: How did you decide to become a dentist, and what to specialize in?

Marques: Ever since I was a kid, I've loved going to my dad's office and watching him work. I loved looking at prosthetic impressions and, to be honest, I never thought of doing anything else with my life. I followed my father's example and studied dentistry in my hometown of Rio de Janeiro. In January 2005, I graduated from university and soon after, I decided to pursue a specialization in dental prosthesis at Central do Exército which translates into Army Central Dental Clinic. As soon as I finished, I realized in my clinical practice how oral rehabilitation with the use of dental implants would offer better results to my patients. So, I decided to also specialize in implant dentistry. Since then, I have been practicing oral rehabilitation using fixed dentures and dental implants.

Q: What does each day look like for you – are you in a clinic, at university, a mix of the two?

Marques: Currently, my day-to-day at work involves working at my private clinic where I see patients and teaching a postgraduate course in implant dentistry at Sobreimplantes. In 2015, I decided to enter the academic environment with the aim of studying more deeply what I practiced in my clinic and started working on my master's degree. 

I enjoyed studying and went straight into the doctoral program, which I completed in 2020. Since then, I became part of the faculty of the Sobreimplantes course where I made many friends and where I not only teach what I study, but I learn a lot from my co-workers and students. I recently started a post-doctoral program at the State University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), where I do extensive research on ceramic implants. Today, in 2023, I am very happy being a father, dentist, professor and student at the same time.

Q: What's your favorite part of the research process – writing papers, collaborating with others, finding the best case study?

Marques: I particularly enjoy conducting clinical studies involving dental implants, more recently clinical studies on ceramic implants. As a researcher, I am very happy to be able to participate in all stages of a research process, for example. Today we are conducting a study on ceramic implants here in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil, where I participate in all stages of the study, from project development to the final writing of the study, including implant installation and research data collection. I really find it fascinating to be able to show the dental society and researchers in the area what I really believe and do very seriously.

Q: You’re an active member of the International Academy of Ceramic Implantology and attended their Congress a few months ago. How did you get involved with the IAOCI, and what do you like most about being involved with the academy?

Marques: As I mentioned earlier, I am conducting a clinical study on ceramic implants in Rio de Janeiro and I dedicate a good part of my time to that research. So, through a social network, I started to post some ceramic implant cases I had performed. Dr. Sammy Noumbissi, who leads the IACOI, commented on one of these posts. 

We then started talking about the topic regularly, and he invited me to participate in the IAOCI Congress 2023 in Atlanta, where I had the opportunity to present the preliminary results of our research. I became an active member of the International Academy of Ceramic Implantology, where I’ve made a lot of friends. This makes me extremely happy because they are people and clinicians with whom I exchange a lot of knowledge and learn more and more about ceramic implants.

Q: What else would you like people to know about you and your work in dentistry?

Marques: I am so satisfied professionally being a dentist, teacher and student at the same time. For many people these tasks can seem tiring, but I once heard somewhere that ‘If you do what you like, you will always work happily.’ 

This is true, because I am extremely happy doing what I do, and I intend to continue seeking more and more knowledge so that I can share more of what I know with people who are interested in these topics. 

Dentistry introduced me to and brought me closer to special people that I would never have met if I wasn't a dentist, student or teacher. I am grateful to everyone who supports, encourages and stands by me on this journey. As I always say, ‘No one gets anywhere alone,’ and we are all a great team, where each person has their role.