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Dental and Biomaterials Program

Contact: Dr. James L. Drummond, drummondj@nidcr.nih.gov
 

The Dental Materials and Biomaterials Program supports basic and translational extramural research on dental materials and devices, dental implants, biocompatibility of dental restorative materials, and biomaterials for craniofacial reconstruction.  In addition, this program encourages research that is responsive to the product development efforts supported by the SBIR and STTR program. 

Dental Materials and Biomaterials 

The focus of dental materials and biomaterials is the replacement and/or enhancement of missing tissues due to disease or trauma to restore normal function. NIDCR encourages basic and translational research to accomplish this goal in the areas of material science, engineering, nanotechnology, chemistry, imaging, computer science, biology, physics, and interdisciplinary interactions.  Areas of interest include but are not limited to: 

  • Development of new dental materials and biomaterials to withstand the conditions of the oral cavity
     
  • The effects of dental materials and biomaterials on the oral cavity and the effects of the oral environment on the dental materials and biomaterials
     
  • Life expectations estimations of dental materials and biomaterials
     
  • Interactions between caries development and progression and dental materials and biomaterials
     
  • Fatigue analysis
     
  • New resin development to replace Bis-GMA based systems
     
  • Biomimetic materials for tooth and craniofacial structures
     
  • Comparative survival analysis of implant systems
     
  • Influence and interaction of the resin matrix/filler interfaces
     
  • Development of new materials with novel properties for the repair of tooth decay and periodontal disease
     
  • Effect of oral biofilm formation on the degradation and leaching of dental materials and implants
     
  • Smart materials to repair themselves and respond to initial breakdown of dental materials and provide preventive interaction
     
  • Three dimensional, non-destructive, real-time imaging for material evaluation and degradation analysis
     
  • Evaluation and enhancement of the tooth-adhesive-dental material interface
     
  • Nano/smart materials to deliver fluoride for caries prevention
     
  • Biocompatibility and functionality of dental restorative materials
     
  • Biomaterials for craniofacial reconstruction
     
  • Novel technologies and analytical techniques for material properties
     
  • Physiochemistry of novel materials
     
  • Clinical correlation of restorative materials in general practice

Additional Information 

For further information about the NIDCR Dental and Biomaterials Program, please contact: 

James L. Drummond, DDS, PhD
Director, Dental Materials and Biomaterials Program
Integrative Biology and Infectious  Diseases Branch
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
6701 Democracy Blvd., Rm. 612
Bethesda, MD 20892-4878
( 20817 for express deliveries)
Telephone: (301) 402-4243
Fax: (301) 480-8319
Email: drummondj@nidcr.nih.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

This page last updated: December 20, 2008