Graduate School

    The goal of the Graduate School of the School of Life Dentistry in Niigata is to provide instruction in the theory and practice of dentistry, to act as a source of researchers who can contribute to the advancement of dentistry while acquiring expertise at the highest levels and carrying out independent research, and to foster outstanding research capabilities that through involvement in the industrial world contribute not only to research institutes but also to the local community and society at large.

    In the research facilities at the School of Life Dentistry in Niigata, there are three principal areas of specialization: basic science, applied science, and clinical science. The system for directing research is unique and is distinguished by its freedom from preconceived or conventional ideas. Not only are the most advanced research facilities available, various facilities for collaborative research are open for student use, including the Advanced Research Center, and are being actively utilized in research activities. For further details, refer to the Curriculum.

    As a rule, the doctorate program requires four years of study, but exceptions are made for students who have completed all the credit requirements and have achieved an outstanding research record before the passage of the required four years. For further information concerning the number of years required for completing courses, see the description of course contents and methods of completing courses.

    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 Niigata.

    Major Subject Programs (Director) Themes of Study
    Comparative Morphology of Oral Hard Tissue and Mucous Membranes
    (Kageyama Ikuo)
    1. Morphogenesis of the head and neck
    2. Clinical anatomy of the maxillofacial region
    3. Tissue regeneration study using stem cells
    Histology
    (Tsujimura Maiko)
    1. Immunohistochemical study of the taste bud
    2. Histological study of the tissue around dental implants
    3. Histological study on alteration of the tissue after oral surgical procedures
    Physiology of Mastication and Salivation
    (Satoh Yoshihide)
    1. Central control mechanisms of feeding and swallowing
    2. Central transmission mechanisms of oral sensation
    3. Relationship between occlusion and motor function in sports dentistry
    Molecular Biology of Saliva and Salivary Glands
    (Morita Takao)
    1. Molecular mechanism of salivary secretion
    2. Molecular mechanism of intracellular signaling by receptor stimulation
    3. Photoimmunotherapy and fluorescence imaging of oral and maxillofacial cancer
    Oral Infection and Immunity
    (Mikami Masato)
    1. Analysis of host response against periodontal pathogens
    2. Study on signal transduction of oral bacteria
    3. Study on activation of innate immunity by oral bacterial products
    Oral Environmental Community Dental Health
    (Komatsuzaki Akira)
    1. The evaluation of a community-based oral health care program for prevention effectiveness
    2. A field study of oral health public services associated with health promotion
    3. Development of a new masticatory function assessment system employing a laser beam for oral health
    Developmental Science of Oral Biomaterials
    （Ohkuma Kazuo)
    1. Study on fabrication of dental restorations using CAD/CAM
    2. Fatigue of dental polymer adhesive material
    3. Development of the automation of the teeth preparation
    Functional Occlusal Treatment
    (Mizuhashi Fumi)
    1. Digital denture
    2. Study on oral function of denture wearer
    3. Analysis of salivary protein on oral dryness patient
    Functional Occlusal Treatment
    ( Ueda Kazuhiko)
    1. Methods of implant therapy and physical properties of implant materials
    2. The suitability of fixed dental prosthesis
    3. Physical properties of CAD/CAM materials
    Quantitative Diagnostic Imaging
    (Ogura Ichiro)
    1. SPECT/CT for oral and maxillofacial diseases
    2. Characteristic multimodal imaging of MRONJ
    3. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging and US elastography of oral cancer.
    Histopathology of Pathogenic Mechanisms
    (Okada Yasuo)
    1. Comprehensive study on genesis, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer
    2. Study on tumorous property acquisition of the lining epithelium of odontogenic cyst
    3. Study on histopathological malignancy grade, angiogenesis and metastasis of malignant tumor of salivary gland
    Pharmacodynamics of Hard Tissue and Salivary Glands
    (Ninomiya Kazunori）
    1. Study on secretory mechanisms in the salivary gland
    2. Study on substances suppressing cariogenicity
    3. Mechanisms of adrenal catecholamine secretion
    Anesthesiology and Resuscitation
    (Oohashi Makoto）
    1. Study on the awaking process of sedation
    2. Study on the effect of biological invasions in dentistry on blood sugar
    3. Development of new local anesthesia methods

    Endodontics

    (Morozumi Toshiya)
    1. Cellular characterization of dental pulp stem cells and their application to periodontal tissue regeneration
    2. Microbiome analysis in pulpal and apical periodontal disease
    3. Characterization of endodontic materials and equipment and development of a novel root canal cleaning system
    Advanced Operative Dentistry
    (Shinkai Koichi)
    1. Development of bioactive dental adhesive materials
    2. Study on prevention and control for dental root caries
    3. Development of dental adhesive materials with a calcification promoting function
    Periodontology
    (Sato Soh)
    1. Study on the periodontal tissue regeneration
    2. Study of the periodontal-systemic connection
    3. Study on esthetics in periodontal treatment
    Pediatric Oral Behavior Science
    (Kuroki Junko)
    1. Study of oral diseases and the underlying pathomechanisms
    2. Study of the factor of tooth development and eruption
    3. Study of salivary protein and dental caries prevention
    Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
    (　　　　　 )
    1. Biomechanical analysis of orthodontic treatment
    2. Early treatment for malocclusion
    3. Characteristics of orthodontic adhesive
    Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
    (Tanaka Akira)
    1. Experimental study on anti-cancer drug sensitivity test for oral cancer chemotherapy
    2. Experimental study on regeneration of salivary gland, nerve and tooth
    3. Experimental study on Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the jaw
    Clinical Examination
    (Ohkoshi Shogo)
    1. Research on the interrelation between oral diseases and systemic diseases from the viewpoint of the clinical laboratory
    2. Sleep apnea syndrome and fatty liver
    3. Research on dental pulp stem cells for regenerative medicine
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