Professor Christopher Butterworth addressing delegates at SICON 2026

Professor
Christopher
Butterworth

BDS(Hons), MPhil, FDSRCS, FDS (Rest Dent) RCS (Eng), FDSRCS (Edin) ad hominem.

Consultant in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics
Honorary Professor, University of Liverpool

Internationally recognised leader in the rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients. Pioneer of the ZIP-Flap technique — now adopted as standard of care across the UK and internationally. Recipient of the BSSPD Gold Medal 2026.

90+
Publications
20+
Years Consulting
25+
Nations Trained
BSSPD Gold Medal 2026 — the Society's highest honour, awarded triennially
FDS RCS Edinburgh (ad-hominem) 2024
Academy of Osseointegration Clinical Research Award 2017
01

Profile

Professor Butterworth has served as Consultant in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics at Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust since 2003 — and as Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool since 2019. His clinical and research work centres on the rehabilitation of patients who have undergone surgery for head and neck cancer.

His defining contribution is the Zygomatic Implant Perforated (ZIP) Flap — a technique combining free flap reconstruction with simultaneous intraoperative zygomatic implant placement, enabling fixed dental rehabilitation within weeks of ablative maxillary surgery. First described in 2017, supported by a prospective cohort of 35 consecutive cases, it is rapidly becoming international standard of care.

Professor Butterworth holds the world's largest published series of zygomatic implants in oncology patients — 10 years of prospective data now underpinning NHS and international commissioning. He has co-led two major multicentre RCTs (HOPON, Cancer Research UK; RAPTOR, NIHR £797,504) and trained surgical-prosthodontic teams across more than 25 countries.

The recipient of the BSSPD Gold Medal 2026 — the Society's highest honour, awarded triennially — and the youngest-ever President of the British Society of Prosthodontics (2011–12), Professor Butterworth was elected at age 39.

Academic Timeline
2022–
Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean
HEENW, NHS England North West
2019–
Honorary Professor in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Liverpool
2013–19
Honorary Senior Lecturer
School of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool
2007–22
Training Programme Director, Restorative Dentistry
HEENW — overseeing all hospital-based specialty training for 15 years
2003–
Consultant in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics
Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust
1998–03
Honorary Lecturer, Restorative Dentistry
University of Birmingham Dental School
02

Research Themes

Zygomatic Implants in Head & Neck Oncology
Theme One
Zygomatic Implants in Head & Neck Oncology
Researching since 2006. Holds the world's largest published prospective series — 10-year data comparing primary versus secondary zygomatic implant placement, now underpinning NHS and international commissioning decisions.
Radiotherapy Damage to Teeth & Jaws
Theme Two
Radiotherapy Damage to Teeth & Jaws
Co-applicant and primary recruiter on HOPON (Cancer Research UK) — the largest-ever trial of hyperbaric oxygen for prevention of mandibular osteoradionecrosis. 144 patients across 10+ centres. Co-applicant on NIHR RAPTOR trial (£797,504).
Quality of Life in Oral Cancer Rehabilitation
Theme Three
Quality of Life in Oral Cancer Rehabilitation
Co-developer of the Liverpool Oral Rehabilitation Questionnaire. Investigates patient-reported outcomes and quality of life following major head and neck surgery and implant-based rehabilitation.
Implant-Based Oral Rehabilitation
Theme Four
Implant-Based Oral Rehabilitation
Computerised planning for complex cases. Multiple clinical trial co-investigatorships. External Examiner, Maxillofacial Prosthetic Rehabilitation MSc, King's College London (2023–present).
03

Selected Publications

Stell & Moran's Head & Neck Surgery & Oncology 6th Edition
Textbook Chapter · Published 2024

Prosthetic Management of Head & Neck Cancer Patients

Stell & Moran's Head & Neck Surgery & Oncology, 6th Edition — Lead Author

The authoritative reference chapter on prosthetic rehabilitation following head and neck oncology surgery, encompassing contemporary implant-based approaches including the ZIP-Flap technique. The definitive resource for surgical teams worldwide.

2023
Accelerating midfacial rehabilitation using zygomatic implants and intraoperative facial impression
Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 12(4):209–213
2022
The zygomatic implant perforated (ZIP) flap: 35 consecutive cases — a prospective cohort study
Head & Neck, 44(10):2291–2303
2022
Attitudes regarding zygomatic implant surgical and prosthodontic techniques — cohort questionnaire study
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 26(3):391–399
2021
Zygomatic implant-based rehabilitation for maxillary and mid-facial oncology defects: a review
Oral Diseases, 27(1):27–41
2021
Zygomatic implant-supported rehabilitation in cleft palate patients — case series
Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 125(6):883–888
2020
Zygomatic Implants in Oncology Patients — invited chapter
Zygomatic Implants: Optimisation & Innovation (Eds. Bedrossian & Stumpel). Springer, Cham
2019
Primary versus secondary zygomatic implant placement in head and neck cancer — 10-year prospective study
Head & Neck, 41(6):1687–1695
2018
Prosthetic Management of Surgically Acquired Oral and Facial Defects — invited chapter
Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 8th Ed. CRC Press
2017
The zygomatic implant perforated (ZIP) flap: a new technique for combined surgical reconstruction and rapid fixed dental rehabilitation following low-level maxillectomy
International Journal of Implant Dentistry, 3(1):37
2017
A novel report on the use of an oncology zygomatic implant-retained maxillary obturator in a paediatric patient
International Journal of Implant Dentistry, 3(1):18
2015
Changing paradigms in prosthetic rehabilitation following maxillary and midfacial malignant disease
Current Oral Health Reports, 2(3):176–183
2014
Refining the definition of mandibular osteoradionecrosis in clinical trials: the Cancer Research UK HOPON trial
Oral Oncology, 50(5):494–498
2013
Accidental ingestion of an implant screwdriver: a case report and literature review
Journal of Oral Implantology, 39(6):736–741
04

International Training Fellowship

Now accepting enquiries
Register Interest

Liverpool's internationally recognised Head & Neck Centre offers Tier 5 / Medical Training Initiative funded fellowships for non-UK dental specialists — providing immersive training in zygomatic implantology, complex prosthetic rehabilitation, and oncology MDT working at one of the world's highest-volume referral centres for this work.

Duration
3 months – 2 years
Eligibility
Non-UK / non-EEA dental specialists
Language
IELTS Academic ≥ 7.0
Administered by
NACPDE, RCS England
Fellowship eligibility
  • Registrable dental qualification eligible for GDC registration
  • Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience
  • Postgraduate training in prosthodontics
  • IELTS Academic ≥ 7.0 (no band below 6.5)
  • Institutional sponsorship from home institution
Fellow Profile
Dr Tengku Fazrina Tengku Mohd Ariff — International Fellow 2014–2016
Dr Tengku Fazrina
Tengku Mohd Ariff
DDS · MClDent · AM(Malaya) · FFDT RCS Edin
Senior Lecturer in Prosthodontics
Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia · Fellow 2014–2016

Fazrina underwent fellowship training for 2 years in Liverpool before returning to her home in Malaysia where she is now a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia as a specialist in Prosthodontics with particular expertise in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics.

05

How to Apply

NACPDE Eligibility Checker

The fellowship operates under the UK Dental Training Initiative (DTI) — part of the Government Authorised Exchange programme — administered by NACPDE at the Royal College of Surgeons England. The process involves confirming a post with Professor Butterworth before approaching NACPDE, and applicants should plan ahead: UK NARIC certification of overseas qualifications alone can take several months.

All applicants must intend to return to their home country following training. Self-funded posts are not permitted — applicants must hold institutional sponsorship or receive appropriate UK salary.

Administered by
NACPDE — RCS England
nacpde@rcseng.ac.uk
Documents required
  • Completed NACPDE application form
  • Financial sponsorship letter on institutional letterhead
  • IELTS Academic certificate (≥ 7.0, no band below 6.5)
  • Certified copies of dental qualifications with certified English translations
  • UK NARIC certification of primary dental degree
  • UK hospital appointment confirmation letter
  • Two professional references
  • GDC certificate of good standing
Seven-step application process

NACPDE requirements are subject to change. Always confirm current requirements directly with NACPDE and complete the eligibility checker before applying.

06

Lecturing & Teaching

One of the most active international voices in maxillofacial prosthodontics and zygomatic implantology, Professor Butterworth has delivered 13 international invited presentations representing the University of Liverpool since 2022 alone — with keynote and plenary roles across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.

13+
International Presentations since 2022
25+
Countries
15+
Cadaver Courses Directed
Zygomatic 2019

"The world's first dedicated international conference on zygomatic implants — 232 delegates from 25 nations — a reflection of both the clinical need and the global reach of this work."

Scientific Chair — Museum of London, March 2019
Professor Butterworth teaching

Invite to Speak

Speaking Enquiries

Professor Butterworth accepts keynote, plenary, and masterclass invitations from national and international conferences, universities, and specialist societies — covering the ZIP-Flap technique, zygomatic implants in oncology, and complex oral rehabilitation.

Submit a speaking enquiry
Patient outcome following ZIP-Flap reconstruction — eyes obscured for privacy
07

The ZIP-Flap

A technique redefining cancer rehabilitation

Fixed zygomatic implant-retained prosthesis following ZIP-Flap reconstruction

The Zygomatic Implant Perforated (ZIP) Flap combines free flap reconstruction with simultaneous intraoperative zygomatic implant placement — enabling fixed dental rehabilitation within weeks of ablative surgery for low-level maxillary malignancy.

First described in 2017 and supported by a prospective cohort of 35 consecutive cases, the ZIP Flap is rapidly becoming international standard of care. A dedicated training programme operates annually at Keele Medical School.

Visit zip-flap-technique.com
Implant outcome — Wirral Implants, Heswall Dental Practice
08

Private Practice

Wirral Implants — Heswall Dental Practice

Professor Butterworth's private implant practice at Heswall Dental Practice on the Wirral offers the full spectrum of advanced implant-based dental rehabilitation — including complex cases requiring the expertise of a GDC Registered Specialist in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry.

Patients are accepted by GP referral and by self-referral. Complex cases involving previous cancer treatment, jaw atrophy, or multiple missing teeth are especially welcome.

Dental Implants
Full Arch Rehabilitation
Zygomatic Implants
Complex Prosthodontics
Implant-Retained Dentures
Post-Cancer Rehabilitation
Visit wirralimplants.com
09

Contact

Enquiries are welcomed from professionals, international institutions, and patients. Please use the form to indicate the nature of your enquiry.