Peter Nordland DMD, MS earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania, and his Doctorate in Dental Medicine at Temple University in 1979. Dr. Nordland then completed a General Practice Residency at the Gerry Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital and the Loma Linda University Medical Center. Dr. Nordland enrolled in a heavily research biased master’s Periodontal Residency Program under Dr. Jan Egelberg. Upon entering private practice Dr. Nordland utilized his Loma Linda research and combined it with surgical knowledge to develop a new regenerative surgical procedure which he termed “The Connective Tissue Graft”. Dr. Nordland presented his novel surgical procedure to the Western Society of Periodontology and was soon presenting his new surgical procedure across the United States for nearly every dental school. As the popularity and success of the surgical technique grew, Dr. Nordland was asked to present his techniques for the American Academy of Periodontology and connected with Dr. P.D. Miller who was pursuing the predictability of root coverage. They met, compared surgical ideas, and decided to meet at every AAP meeting to continue to share ideas. Dr. Miller brought in a friend, Dr. Pat Allen who was also interested in soft tissue regenerative procedures. In 1987 the three decided to create an annual study group and invited colleagues who were interested and had also published on soft tissue regeneration. This elite group grew in popularity and invited colleagues from around the world to present new ideas for the purpose of group sharing and learning. Dr. Nordland wished to call the organization The International Society of Oral Plastic Surgeons whereas Dr. Miller favored Periodontal Plastic Surgeons. The name was changed to the International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons and was led by Dr. Nordland for close to 30 years.

Dr. Nordland has continued to develop new instruments for microsurgery, publish original papers on Oral Plastic Surgery and has now taught in North, South and Central Americas, Asia, India, and Europe. Dr. Nordland has been on the editorial boards of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and The International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Nordland taught hands-on “Periodontal Plastic Microsurgical” Courses for 19 years at the Newport Coast Oral-Facial Institute and has been an Associate Professor of Periodontics at Loma Linda University for over 25 years. Most recently Dr. Nordland has written the chapter on “Periodontal Plastic Surgery” for the 5th Edition of Dr. Goldstein’s textbook Esthetics in Dentistry. Dr Nordland is on the Executive Council of the Western Society of Periodontology and the prestigious American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and will be president of the AAED in 5 years.