Facilities

Graduate students in the Periodontics Certificate (Graduate) and Oral Biology MS programs have the opportunity to become authors and co-authors on papers and research abstracts in leading peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Students can explore research in the following topics, among others.

  • Dental biomaterials
  • Oral implantology
  • Oral and maxillofacial radiology
  • Oral microbiology and immunology
  • Oral molecular biology
  • Periodontal and craniofacial regeneration

Research Studies

The Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology faculty participate in research at the forefront of the field. Recent research studies include the following.

  • Analysis of antibiotic resistance patterns in major periodontal pathogens.

  • Antimicrobial activity of iodine-based mouth rinses against periodontal bacterial pathogens.

  • Evaluation of genetic factors in molar-incisor pattern periodontitis.

  • Evaluation of a rapid biologic indicator system for monitoring dental instrument sterilization.

  • Examination of titanium particle release during laser-assisted debridement of implants exhibiting peri-implantitis.

  • Silver diamine fluoride antimicrobial effects against subgingival periodontal pathogens.

Quality of Research

Research is a vital aspect of the Kornberg School of Dentistry, with a wide array of projects underway in each of the facilities outlined above. Students and residents work alongside faculty to produce cutting-edge research in their fields. The school has received $1.75 million in funding from United Healthcare Inc. and the UHC Foundation, $2.17 million from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, and $1.14 million from the American Dental Association for faculty research projects.

Highlights

Recently the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, awarded the school $2.59 million to support research aimed at combating dental anxiety. This project marks an innovative partnership between the Kornberg School of Dentistry and Temple’s Psychology Department, which is housed in the College of Liberal Arts.

In 2017, a pair of Kornberg students earned a research award from the American Public Health Association Oral Health Section for their study of dental public health entitled Support for Community Water Fluoridation and Integrating Advocacy Training in Dental Curriculum: Pediatric Dentists Perspectives.

Other student research has centered on projects such as

  • the laser treatment of periodontal disease;
  • patient attitudes toward Temple University’s smoking policy; and
  • prophylactic antibiotic usage in nonoperative, closed facial fracture.

Research Funding

In 2016, the National Science Foundation placed Temple University among the top 100 in terms of research expenditures, which amounted to $242 million. Learn more about the university’s research support efforts.

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