Periodontology & Oral Microbiology

The department of Periodontology conducts both clinical as well as more fundamental research. The clinical projects concentrate on an optimization of non-surgical periodontal therapy, diagnostics in Periodontology, planning and outcome of oral implants, diagnosis and treatment of halitosis. In 1996 the department created the Research Group for Microbial Adhesion. This new group covers research within a broad field of oral microbiology including topics such as bacterial adhesion to hard and soft tissues, bacterial-host interactions, biofilm control via antiseptics, antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics and predatory bacteria, biofilm formation, clinical oral microbiology, environmental effects on bacterial adhesion, colonization and biofilm formation, microbiological communication, interaction of bacteria in bad breath formation. Close collaboration with other laboratories within the university, as well as at an international level, forms a key-stone in our scientific approach. The department also has a close collaboration with the Centre for Oral Imaging and the Laboratory of Oral Physiology (e.g. jaw muscle function, electromyography, trigeminal reflexes in man, assessment of tactile function of teeth and endosseous implants (osseoperception)).

Research projects of research team Periodontology Section

-diagnostics: optimisation of microbial test in periodontology, optimisation of the analysis of breath (including patients with systemic disorders), the use of MS/CB CT prior to implant surgery in the oral cavity or other interventions, the usefulness of Hounsfied values. -non surgical periodontal therapy: aetiology and treatment of periodontal infections, the one-stage, full-mouth disinfection, the use of antibiotics/antiseptics in periodontal therapy, optimisation of the treatment of halitosis.

-surgical therapy: the clinical outcome of new materials for periodontal surgery (including oral implants), the interaction between osseointegrated implants and their surrounding tissues, the usefulness of bone substitutes in horizontal and vertical bone augmentation, the accuracy of surgical guides for implant insertion.

-fundamental research: the adhesion of bacteria to soft and hard tissues, the interaction between bacteria, between bacteria and viruses, bacteria and host cells, pre- and probiotics, biofilm formation, biomarkers in breath.

Doctoral projects of research team Periodontology Section

-The usefulness of Hounsfield values during implant insertion (Joe Merheb).

Expertises of research team Periodontology Section

-Expertise QUIRYNEN MARC: oral microbiology (aerobic and anaerobic culturing of oral pathogens), clinical outcome of antibiotics/antiseptics in Periodontology, the analysis of the outcome of oral implants (both in animal studies and humans), the outcome of GBR/GTR, the usefullness of new surgical strategies/materials in Periodontology (including implants, bone substitutes), the analysis of breath, biomarkers in exhaled air, optimal use and limitations of radiological examinations (MSCT, CBCT, panoramic images, intra-oral RX).

-Expertise JACOBS REINHILDE: Dentomaxillofacial radiology, imaging analyses related to trabecular bone structure, imaging analyses regarding pathological and/or therapeutical changes in relation to teeth and implants, dosimetry and radiation biology, optimization of clinical radiological indications in function of balancing required image quality and dosimetry; development and validation of new digital workflow aspects, 3D printing and bioprinting based on DMFR imaging. See also www.omfsimpath.be

-Expertise TEUGHELS WIM: oral microbiology (culture and molecular techniques), experimental adjunctive non-surgical periodontal therapy, oral probiotics, oral prebiotics, non-surgical esthetic periodontal therapy, bacterial adhesion to hard and soft tissues, bacterial-host interactions, biofilm control via antiseptics, antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics and predatory bacteria, biofilm formation, environmental effects on bacterial adhesion, colonization and biofilm formation, microbiological communication and bacterial interactions.

-expertise TEMMERMAN ANDY: clinical analysis of and treatment with oral implants, clinical outcome of GBR and GTR procedures, analysis of new surgical techniques and materials in periodontology (comprising oral implants and bone substitutes), analysis and usefulness of radiological analysis (MSCT/CBCT/panoramic radiographs/intra-oral radiographs), clinical outcome of esthetical and functional mucogingival periodontal surgery, clinical outcome of L-PRF treatments.