Meet Dr. Taskonak
DR. BURAK TASKONAK, DDS, PhD
PROSTHODONTIST
Dr. Burak Taskonak is an internationally recognized leader in restorative, aesthetic and implant dentistry and one of the few clinicians who places and restores dental implants. Dr. Taskonak is well trained in the most recent advances of reconstructive dentistry, and he enjoys the full scope of this training, from advanced implant to cosmetic dentistry. He has placed and restored over thousand dental implants, including early and immediately loaded full mouth reconstructions.
Dr. Burak Taskonak was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Indiana University School of Dentistry and he was awarded a fellowship from New York University College of Dentistry for conducting research in Prosthodontics. Dr. Taskonak received his Ph.D. degree from University of Florida specializing in Dental Biomaterials and consequently, he accepted a position as a post doctoral research associate at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas (Texas A&M University). Subsequent to that, he joined the faculty at Indiana University School of Dentistry as an Assistant Professor.
Dr. Taskonak is well trained in the most recent advances of reconstructive dentistry, and he enjoys the full scope of this training, from advanced implant to cosmetic dentistry.
During his appointment at Indiana University, Dr. Taskonak taught pre-doctoral and post-doctoral students, in addition to conducting research in implant and restorative dental biomaterials. He then accepted a faculty position as an Associate Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine until he started his practices in Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs, FL. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Dental Materials. He has reviewed manuscripts as a member of the editorial boards for Dental Materials and the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. He has authored over 50 scientific and clinical articles and abstracts, two book chapters, and one patent. His main research and clinical expertise lie in restorative and implant dentistry with emphasis on developing more reliable biomaterials. Dr. Taskonak believes that an individual’s overall health starts from the mouth and he focuses on achieving not only the oral wellness but the whole body wellness of his patients.
Dr Taskonak is a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, International Association of Dental Research (IADR), American Prosthodontics Society and American Dental Association. He has been lecturing nationally and internationally on aesthetic and implant dentistry.
Dr. Taskonak is passionate about equestrian sports and loves animals. He is a member of the United States Equestrian Federation and owns Holsteiner Gelding, Cyrus. He is married and loves the warmth and diversity of South Florida!
EDUCATION
D.D.S. – Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN
M. Sc. – New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY
Specialty: Prosthodontics
Thesis Title: Two-year clinical evaluation of Empress 2 all ceramic fixed partial dentures.
Ph.D. – University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Materials Science and Engineering, Specializing in Dental Ceramics, and Fracture Mechanics
Dissertation Title: The effects of residual stress, viscoelasticity and thermodynamic parameters on apparent fracture toughness of bilayer dental ceramic composites.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Theory and Practical Application of IPS Empress 2. Ivoclar-Vivadent Center for Advanced Education, Schaan, Liechtenstein (1999).
Fellowship in Biomaterials Research, Department of Dental Biomaterials, New York University, New York, NY (2000).
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM 6335F, SEM 6400, SEM 35CF; Certified User). Major analytical instrumentation center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (2002).
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM Dimension 3100 Certified User). Major analytical instrumentation center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (2002).
Nobel Replace Dental Endosseous Implant Surgical Training Program, Indianapolis, IN (2008)
HONORS & AWARDS
The Academy of Dental Materials George C. Paffenbarger Award – for outstanding original research paper published by a student in the field of Dental Materials
Fellow Academy of Dental Materials
European Prosthodontics Association, Sidney Barrett Award, EPA Annual Conference, Turku, Finland, 1998
Heraeus Kulzer award, IADR / AADR / CADR 78th General Session and Exhibition Washington, DC; April 2000.
IUSD, Post-Doctoral Research Associate Award, November 2005.
3M/ESPE Award
MEMBERSHIP
American Association of Dental Research
American Dental Association
American Dental Education Association
Academy of Dental Materials
European Prosthodontics Association
American Prosthodontics Society
International Association of Dental Research
American Academy of Implant Dentistry