dental research project ideas

• Areas of Research

Research Projects

Research within the School of Dental Medicine encompasses a wide variety of fields within oral health care, helping to translate basic science discoveries into clinical therapies. Use the links below to learn more about current and past projects of faculty, staff, and students. 

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Search individual research projects and faculty areas of research interest by School of Dental Medicine Departments

Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences research focuses on how the body, particularly the mouth, fights diseases through innate immune responses. 

**We are currently updating these pages to refresh information. While we work, please visit the Biological Sciences Research and Sponsored Projects page to review our active projects.

Ge Jin, PhD

• Beta-defensins in Immunological Responses and Immunotherapy in Oncogenesis
• Innate Immunity and Oral Carcinogenesis

Pushpa Pandiyan, PhD

• Mechanism of Immunomodulation during Oropharyngeal Candidiasis
• Modulation of Tumor Necrosis-α during Oropharyngeal Candidiasis

Aaron Weinberg, DMD, PhD

• Oral Cancer and the Discovery of a Novel Biomarker
• Oral Cancer and the Discovery of a Novel Biomarker - Taiwan
• Fusobacterial-Associated Beta Defensin Inducer (FADI)
• Center for Excellence in Immunology

Fengchun Ye, PhD

• Role of Angiopoietin-2 in KSHV Induction of Angiogenesis, Inflammation, and Cutaneous KS Lesions
• Epigenetic Regulation of Viral Infection and Replication by Periodontal Bacteria

Chad Zender, MD, FACS

• Comprehensive Head and Neck Database 

Community Dentistry

Community Dentistry research focuses on the protection and improvement of oral health in patients and community at-large. 

**We are currently updating these pages to refresh information. While we work, please visit the Community Dentistry Research and Sponsored Projects page to review our active projects.

Catherine Demko

• MEDTAPP Healthcare Access Initiative
• Sisters of Charity of Canton Evaluation Project

James Lalumandier, DDS, MPH

• Geriatric Dentistry Mobile Unit Program
• Healthy Smiles Sealant Program

Sena Narendran, PhD

• Post-doctoral Training in General, Pediatric, and Public Health Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
• Pre-doctoral Training in General, Pediatric, and Public Health Dentistry and Dental Hygiene

Suchitra Nelson, PhD

• Family Intervention with Caregivers of Children with Urgent Dental Needs
• Longitudinal Studies of Dental Caries in Very Low Birthweight Children

Mary Beth Slusar, PhD

• Caregiver Illness Perception and Child's Early Childhood Caries Status

Kristin Victoroff

• Collaborative Home for Oral Health, Medical Review, and Health Promotion (CHOMP)

Kristin Williams

Comprehensive Care

• Correlation of Primary Implant Stability with Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis in a Bovine Mandibular Bone Model
• Image Guided New Biomaterials for Dental Restorations
• Optimization of Insertion Torque for Primary Dental Implant Stability

Endodontics

Anita Aminoshariae, DDS, MS

• Association of Endodontic Conditions with Systemic Medical Disease
• Effect of Time Factor in Crown Placement on Survival of Primary Endodontically Treated: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Thomas Montagnese, DDS

• Efficacy of Buprenorphine on Post-operative Endodontic Analgesia 

Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine + Diagnostic Sciences

Oral Medicine research focuses on orofacial pain, oral premalignant disorders, interprofessional education outcomes, and markers for response to treatment of mucosal disorders.

Andres Pinto, DMD, MPH

• Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) Case Registry
• Reliability of a Modified Brief Pain Inventory-Facial

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Dale Baur, DDS

• Patient-Centered Quality of Live (QOL) Measures after Temporomandibular Total Joint Replacement Surgery 
• Removal of Unerupted Third Molars at the Time of Mandibular Sagittal Split Osteotomy: Case Series 
• Treatment Outcomes of Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor

Orthodontics

**We are currently updating these pages to refresh information. While we work, please visit the Orthodontics Research and Sponsored Projects page to review our active projects.

Mark Hans, DDS, MSD

• Craniofacial Initiatives in the School of Dental Medicine

J. Martin Palomo, DDS, MSD

Manish Valiathan, DDS, MSD

• Craniofacial Growth Prediction in Different Facial Types

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry research focuses on improving the care and treatment of pediatric oral health, including pediatric oral health disparities, craniofacial anomalies, and oral health behavior.

*We are currently updating these pages to refresh information. While we work, please visit the Pediatric Dentistry Research and Sponsored Projects page to review our active projects.Orthodontics

Gerald Ferretti, DDS, MS, MPH

Research Interests:

• Reducing children's oral health disparities
• Craniofacial anomalies
• Pediatric sedation

Masahiro Heima, DDS, PhD

• Dental care-related fear and anxiety
• Oral health care behavior

Lance Vernon, DMD, MPH

• Oral hygiene behavior
• Oral health care in HIV population
• Development of a Provider-Observed Tool to Assess Oral Hygiene Skills in HIV+ Adults
• Holistic, Prevention-Focused Assessment and Coaching of Targeted/Tailored Oral Hygiene Behaviors
• Immune and Inflammatory Consequences of Intensive Periodontal Disease Treatment in HIV+ Adults
• Oral Link to Vascular Disease in an HIV-1 Cohort

Periodontics

Nabil Bissada

• Gingival Dimension Around Natural Teeth and Dental Implants in Health and Disease
• Role of Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment on the Level of Rheumatoid Factor in Patients Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Andre Paes, DDS, PhD, MS

• Examination of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and Colonization with Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis

Leena Palomo, DMD, MSD

• Analysis of Postmenopausal Women Using Bisphosphonate Therapy
• Periodontitis in Postmenopausal Women

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Research Projects

Active studies.

• The OHART Study

• Periodontal Disease and Bariatric Surgery

• The Rembrandt Study

• Epithelial Barrier Study

• BI Trial No.1199-0378

Consumer Oral Health Registry

• The RIOMPA Study

Studies Completed

Hum brush study.

Sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive, an observational study that explores caregivers’ experiences related to the use of a smart toothbrush by children with autism spectrum disorder. Children will will use the Colgate hum Kids toothbrush. This toothbrush connects to an interactive game on your phone or tablet, which guides your child’s brushing. In this study, we will document you and your child’s experience of using the hum Kids toothbrush.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Calibration Study

To better understand the transmission of extra-oral photobiomodulation light, adjusting for tissue thickness and skin color to assess optimal light absorption parameters, i.e. optimal dose, for future treatment of oral mucosal complications associated with head and neck radiation toxicit

Oral Rinse Study

Many individuals are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms ranging from mild to severe. A moderate percentage of individuals are requiring hospitalization to relieve those symptoms because the viral load is too great. The Povidone-Iodine Oral Rinse Study is a research study to test whether a mouth rinse containing povidone-iodine reduces the amount of the virus in the mouth.

The ARMOR Trial

The ARMOR Trial: Commensal Oral Microbiota as a Trigger of Oral Mucositis Severity Principal Investigator(s) :   Patricia Corby, DDS, MS  and  Alexander Lin, MD This Study is Grant Funded by:  National Institutes of Health — National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Study Status:  Closed

The ARMOR Trial is a randomized, controlled trial of a targeted oral care intervention in patients undergoing radiation or chemoradiation for head and neck cancer. The purpose of the study is to test whether this oral care procedure will delay the onset and reduce the severity, duration, and pain of oral mucositis, a debilitating side effect of radiation therapy. Eligible participants will be asked to attend one visit prior to beginning radiation therapy, weekly visits during radiation therapy, and one visit 3 months after completion of radiation therapy. In total, participants will attend approximately 11 visits over the course of approximately 5.5 months.

You may be eligible to participate if you are aged 18 years or older, are scheduled to undergo radiation or chemoradiation for head and neck cancer, have at least 6 natural teeth, and do not require antibiotic pre-medication prior to dental treatment.

Role of the Dentist in Vaccination for COVID-19 and Human Papillomavrirus

A Study on the Role of the Dentist in Vaccination for COVID-19 and Human Papillomavrirus (HPV) Principal Investigator:   Katherine France, DMD, MBE Study Status:  Closed

Analgesic Response to Ibuprofen Following Third-molar Extraction

Towards Predicting the Analgesic Response to Ibuprofen Following Third-molar Extraction Principal Investigators:  Tilo Grosser, MD ; Katherine Theken, PharmD, PhD;  Elliot Hersh, DMD, MS, PhD ; and  John Farrar, MD, PhD Study Status : Closed

Anti-inflammatory Action in Dental Implant Surgery Patients

Demonstration of OTC Naproxen Sodium’s (Aleve’s) Anti-inflammatory Action in Dental Implant Surgery Patients Principal Investigators:   Elliot Hersh, DMD, MS, PhD  and Katherine Theken, PhD Study Status:  Closed Study Funded by:  Bayer

Video-Based Health Education on Oral and Systemic Health Connections

Evaluation of a Video-Based Health Education on Oral and Systemic Health Connections – A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study Principal Investigator:  Sunday Akintoye, BDS, DDS, MS Study Status:  Completed

It is well-known that chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in the United States. However, many adults do not complete regular screening for these conditions. Prior studies have shown that oral and dental healthcare providers, medical professionals, and patients are open to medical screening in a dental setting; therefore, dental chairside screening of patients for select medical conditions opens up an additional point of entry into the healthcare system for at-risk patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of providing a short educational video on the oral-systemic health connection to patients in the dental clinic. The investigators hope that by providing health education in an accessible, easy to understand format, patients will be more likely to request health screenings from their dental providers as well as more likely to follow-up with a healthcare provider if a disease is identified.

Oral Health in the College and University Student Populations

A Study of Oral Health in the College and University Student Populations Principal Investigator:   Beverly Crawford, DDS Study Status : Completed

This study aims to evaluate the oral health of students on a college or university campus and explore the existence of possibly undiagnosed caries in the student population at the University of Pennsylvania. Undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania will be invited to complete an online survey consisting of questions relating to their oral health, dental care and insurance coverage, nutrition, and demographic information.

By assessing the oral health needs of the student population, we will be able to formulate targeted treatment plans for the groups of students identified as being at risk for rampant caries, as well as generate preventive measures to help these students arrest and prevent recurrent caries. Ultimately, we will collect important information that will guide the development of future oral care preventive measures.

• Colgate Arginine Study

A Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, active-controlled multi-center clinical trial to assess the safety and the anti-caries efficacy of COL 101 (arginine) non-fluoride dentifrices with 1.5%, 4.0% and 8.0% arginine each in comparison with 0.24% sodium fluoride (1100 ppm F) dentifrice control in 10 to 14-year-old children. Principal Investigator :   David Hershkowitz, DDS, AAS This Study Sponsored by:  Colgate-Palmolive

The purpose of this research study was to test how effective a new toothpaste is in reducing tooth cavities. This new toothpaste contains arginine, an essential amino acid that is naturally found in saliva and produced by the human body. In this study, we compared regular fluoride toothpastes that you could buy in a store to this new toothpaste which contains arginine.

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