Graduate School

The Graduate School

The Graduate School of Life Dentistry at Tokyo and that at Niigata were established in April 1960 and April 1990, respectively. The schools' objectives are, first, to conduct research on and April 1990 training in dental theory and practice; second, to give students a high degree of expertise to enable them to contribute to advances in dentistry; third, to provide training in a broad spectrum of research fields so students can practice in many places, such as in international research institutions. A unique curriculum has been introduced that is free of preconceived or conventional ideas and integrates both basic studies and clinical practice. New research facilities as well as those for collaborative research are available for the students' use, and many students who complete the graduate course remain at the university for further research while teaching undergraduates.

Major Subject Programs and Themes of Study

The principal research content of the research department at the Nippon Dental University School of Life Dentistry at Tokyo.

Basic Dental Subjects

Major Subject Programs (Director) Themes of Study
Anatomy
(Masataka Sunohara)
  1. Meso-scale anatomical analysis of vascular network patterning in the maxillofacial region
  2. Analysis of molecular mechanisms in the vessel formation and angiogenesis process during tooth germ development
  3. Analysis of structural changes in three-dimensional micromorphology during growth and development of the maxillary and mandibular bone
Histology
(Ken-ichiro Kikuchi)
  1. Histochemistry research on embryology and differentiation of the salivary gland
  2. Cytohistologic research on injury and recovery of the salivary gland
  3. Aging research of the salivary gland
Physiology
(Chikako Saiki)
  1. Effect of oral and maxillofacial perception and/or motor activity on body functions
  2. Taste sensation and the cognitive processing in human subjects
  3. Research on physiological homeostasis ; influence of environmental fuctors on respiration, circulation and metabolism
Biochemistry
(Kazushi Imai)
  1. Analysis of signal transduction and gene transcription mechanisms in cancer tissue
  2. Molecular biological analysis of keratinocyte differentiation and dedifferentiation mechanisms
  3. Analysis of mechanisms related to the development and progression of non-neoplastic diseases
Pathology
(Yuuichi Soeno)
  1. Multifaceted structural/functional analysis of human oral lesions
  2. Comparative pathological analysis of oral diseases in animal models
  3. Molecular network analysis of maxillofacial development and the pathogenesis of congenital anomalies
Microbiology
(Yukihiro Takahashi)
  1. Research on the pathogenicity of oral streptococci in infectious endocarditis
  2. Molecular biological analysis on the pathogenetic factors of the causative agents of chronic periodontitis
  3. Molecular biological analysis on the pathogenetic factors of the causative agents of aggressive periodontitis
Pharmacology
(Takeo Tsutsui)
  1. Functional analysis of oral stem cells.
  2. Development of tooth and dental pulp regeneration techniques
  3. Investigation for the safety and efficacy of medicines
Oral Health
(Ken Yaegaki)
  1. Liver, heart, and pancreas regeneration by dental pulp stem cells and volatile sulfur compounds
  2. Transplantation of regenerated liver or pancreas from human dental pulp
  3. Research on childhood and pediatric health behavior, daily life behavior, and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases
  4. Research on the periodontal-disease-causing activity and carcinogenicity of volatile sulfur compounds (halitosis substances)
Dental Materials Science
(Akikazu Shinya)
  1. Dental application of intraoral scanner and it’s precision
  2. Applications of novel monomers to the composite resin and adhesive resin cement
  3. Research on the composition and physical properties of dental materials
  4. Dental application of CAD/CAM technique
  5. Dental applications of 3D printers
Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine
(Taka Nakahara)
  1. Isolation, characterization, and differentiation of multipotent stem cells derived from human teeth
  2. Engineering of test-tube dental implants for regenerative therapy
  3. Cell and molecular biology of tooth/periodontal development and regeneration
Forensic Dentistry
(Kaori Iwahara)
  1. Recognition, prevention of physical abuse and neglect, and child care support
  2. Personal dental identification
  3. Disaster dentistry

Dental Clinical Subjects

Major Subject Programs (Director) Themes of Study
Endodontics
(Masaru Igarashi)
  1. Research and development of endodontic equipments, instruments and materials
  2. Research on root canal preparation and root canal obturation methods
  3. Research on regeneration and healing of the dental pulp and apical periodontal tissue on endodontic diseases
  4. Research on accuracy of radiographical examination on endodontic diseases
  5. Immunohistochemical research on generation and development of tooth and jawbone
Removable Prosthodontics
(Hiroshi Shiga)
  1. Relationship between the brain, sleep, or pain mechanisms and masticatory function and occlusion
  2. Relationship between masticatory function and occlusion
  3. Establishment of prosthodontic treatment adapted to masticatory function
Crown & Bridge Prosthodontics
(Harunori Gomi)
  1. Clinical application of glass-fiber-reinforced hybrid resin restorative materials
  2. Computer-supported examination, diagnosis, and restorative appliance system
  3. Adhesion techniques and CAD/CAM esthetic restorations
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
(Takafumi Satomi)
  1. Research of local invasion and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma
  2. Research of relationship between cancer stem cell and tumor associated macrophage of oral squamous cell carcinoma
  3. Tissue regeneration program that uses growth factors and biomaterials
  4. Research and development of new tissue regeneration therapies from human dental pulp stem cells
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
(Kazuhito Arai)
  1. Three-dimensional morphometric analysis of dental arch form
  2. Clinical study in treatment mechanics of preadjusted appliances
  3. Genetic origin of dental anomalies
  4. Evaluation of facial esthetics in orthodontic treatment
  5. Three-dimensional biomechanics of orthodontic force
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
(Taisuke Kawai)
  1. Research on image diagnosis for maxillofacial region
  2. Research related to radiation protection during radiological examinations
  3. Research on image quality of the CBCT examination
  4. Research on computer aided diagnosis in dentistry
  5. Research on ultrasound-guided nerve ganglion block
Pediatric Dentistry
(Hiroyuki Karibe)
  1. Emotional response in children during dental treatment
  2. Prevention of oral diseases in childhood
  3. Dental development in children with systemic diseases
Dental Anesthesiology
(Katsuhisa Sunada)
  1. Research on the disposition and potency of local anesthetics
  2. Application of α2 receptor agonists in the dental anesthesia field
  3. Research on ambulatory anesthesia: Drugs, evaluation, techniques, etc.
Periodontology
(Yukihiro Numabe)
  1. Research on the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic disease
  2. Research on the effects of smoking on periodontal tissue
  3. Research on the new examination for periodontal diseases
  4. Epidemiological research on periodontal diseases
  5. Application of LED and lasers to periodontal treatment
  6. Research on the pathological condition improving factor for periodontal disease
Adhesive Dentistry
(Yoichiro Nara)
  1. Evaluation for the behavior of metal-free adhesive restorations in in vivo and in vitro environments
  2. Development and evaluation of novel restoration methods and materials to contribute the next generation MI esthetic restorations
  3. Comprehensive investigation of the innovative digital restoration system
  4. Revitalization of bio-adhesion for the affinity of tooth substance
Clinical Oral Rehabilitation
(Takeshi Kikutani)
  1. Research on eating and swallowing rehabilitation
  2. Research on the development or disorder of eating function
  3. Research on the relation between the oral function of the elderlies and their whole body
  4. Epidemiological research on community-dwelling elderlies
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