Odontogenic Diseases Program
Overview
The Odontogenic Diseases Program supports basic and translational science research on craniofacial skeletal biology, including tooth biology, and promotes multidisciplinary approaches to advance the understanding of normal and abnormal processes underlying oral, dental, and craniofacial diseases and disorders from the molecular to the organismal level. This program also supports the development of tools and methods to further advance knowledge and capabilities for study of and in tissues that are mineralized as well as the following areas:
- Biochemistry, biophysics, and physiochemistry of the regulation of mineralization in enamel, dentin, cementum, bone, and cartilage
- Onset and progression of demineralization and/or remineralization, especially in chronic diseases including caries, and approaches to remineralize with endogenous components
- Role of unique cell types and microenvironment localized to the craniofacial skeleton including the temporomandibular joint
- Orthodontic tooth movement, root resorption, and osseointegration
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw, its onset and pharmacogenetic basis of heterogenous responses to medications and stimuli
- Non-invasive and non-destructive modalities to assess mineralized tissues
- Biomarkers in dental and craniofacial mineralized tissues reflective of health or environmental exposure, and molecular basis of their action