About Me
Carlos Aparicio: A life of innovation and passion for dentistry
My name is Carlos Aparicio; I was born in 1953 in Zaragoza, Spain. I’ve been married to Monica for more than 24 years. We live in Barcelona, we have five children, four of them living abroad. I am very privileged for many things, especially my family and friends.
I graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Navarra and completed my training in dental implants, prostheses, and dental aesthetics in the USA, Canada, Switzerland, and Sweden.
I am the creator of the ZAGA (Zygoma Anatomy-Guided Approach) Concept, an innovative systemic approach to the treatment of patients who present a lack of maxillary bone necessary for the fixation of an implant.
I had the pleasure of creating the first center dedicated exclusively to the rehabilitation of tooth decay by means of prostheses fixed to the jaw by implants in 1985, and currently, I work to expand the ZAGA Concept and support the experts at Zygoma ZAGA Centers who are dealing with patients with bone atrophy or great bone loss.
I like sailing, windsurfing, light sailing and regattas. I practice Bikram Yoga regularly. I enjoy music, painting, and especially art that allows me to use various senses, like sculpture.
Dr. Aparicios' Biography
- Born in 1953 in Tarazona, Zaragoza. He spent his childhood and youth in Pamplona, Navarra.
- Graduated in Medicine and Surgery by the Navarra University with outstanding cum laude in 1978.
- In 1978 obtained the position of Medical Doctor in the Social Security, practicing as a family doctor until 1981.
- Stomatologist by U. of Barcelona in 1983.
- Dental Lab Technician in 1983.
- In 1984, he was certified in Osteointegrated implants at Gothenburg University (Prof. P.I. Brånemark tutor).
- He completed his training in implants, prostheses, and dental aesthetics in the USA (Mayo Clinic, University South California, University of California Los Angeles), Canada (Toronto University), Switzerland (Geneva University), Sweden (Gothenburg University, Salgrenska Hospital, County Council Clinic – Stockholm and Malmo University).
- He earned a Master’s in Materials Science from the University of Barcelona in 1990.
- In 1997, he received a Diploma in Periodontics from Gothenburg University (Prof. Jan Lindhe’s tutor).
- Appointed in 1997 Honorary Professor of the Center for Perfectionement at Odonto-Stomatologie, Provence-Côte d’Azur.
- Between 2003 and 2005, he served as a Board member of the European Academy of Osseointegration (EAO).
- In 2005, he described for the first time the extra-sensual technique to place zygomatic implants.
- In 2007, he was president of the annual meeting of the EAO.
- He finished a Master’s in Biomedical Research at the University of Barcelona in 2010.
- In 2011, he described the evolution of his extra-maxillary technique to his new ZAGA (Zygoma Anatomy-Guided Approach) technique for placing zygomatic implants.
- Author of the book Zygomatic Implants: The Anatomy-Guided Approach Ed. Quintessence 2012.
- In 2013, he defended his doctoral thesis, with an international Ph.D., titled “Zygomatic implant-based rehabilitation. The state-of-the-art and proposed criteria for success” with outstanding Cum Laude.
- Appointed Academic Correspondent of the Royal European Academy of Doctors in 2016.
- In 2017, he founded ZAGA Centers, an international network of experts in zygomatic implants.
- Past editor of the Spanish version of the European Journal of Implant Dentistry.
- He is a scientific consultant (referee) for the European Journal of Oral Implantology and Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research.
- Past-President of the Osseointegration Foundation of the American Academy of Osseointegration (AO).
- He has been a visiting professor at the University of Barcelona, the University of Oviedo, and the UIC Barcelona – International University of Catalonia
- Teacher of numerous national and international courses.
- He has received the Fonseca prize, the highest award of the Spanish Society of Periodontics, three times; the annual prize Simo Virgili of the Societat Catalana de Odontoestomatología, twice; the Soproden Foundation award; as well as the Award for the Best Course awarded by the College of Dentists of Córdoba and other prizes in different congresses.
- He is a Fellow Researcher at the Handicap Research Group, Department of Biomaterials, University of Gothenburg (Prof. Tomas Albrektsson’s tutor).
- He is a consultant of the Biomaterials Group of the University Polytechnic of Barcelona.
- He is the Honorary President and Founder of the Spanish Society of Minimally Invasive Dentistry.
- Director in conjunction with the University of Barcelona and the University of Gothenburg of the programs in Zygomatic Implants.
- Author of ‘Advanced Zygomatic Implants: The ZAGA Concept,’ published in 2023.