Research Overview
RESEARCH – A RANGE OF TOPICS
Research at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry focuses
on such topics as taste bud function, jaw muscle and joint function,
and tissue engineering to replace damaged bone and cartilage, among
other areas.
Taste
Here, the nation’s foremost group of taste researchers is studying
little-understood areas such as how the brain perceives taste.
Stress and the Immune System
Studies of stress and the immune system examine how stress affects
the ability to heal and fight infections, and explore communication
mechanisms between immune cells and the brain.
Muscle Function
Other studies observe how facial muscles contract during chewing,
jaw closure, and eye movement.
Oral Cancer
Components from black raspberries which inhibit the growth of oral
cancer are under study.
Tissue Engineering
Tissue engineering research focused on bone and cartilage may lead
to improved grafts for bone reconstruction.
TMJ
Non-surgical methods are being examined to improve cartilage formation
in this jaw joint disorder, alleviating pain and inducing proper movement.
Periodontal Infection
Other studies focus on the mechanisms by which bacteria cause periodontal
disease.
