RESEARCH
Clinical progress can only be made when treatment results and patient outcome are carefully evaluated and when new ideas emerge from basic science. As such, a university provides a unique setting where clinical departments are strengthened and heavily influenced by their research counterparts.
The same applies to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Leuven University Hospitals. At least 3 complementary units are feeding the clinic with essential input: the department of oral and maxillofacial imaging, the 3D-lab facility and the OMFS-IMPATH research unit. Whereas the imaging department and the 3D-lab facility are fully integrated in the workflow of the daily clinic, the research department remains a separate unit, albeit both functionally and architectonically closely related to the clinical department.
While many countries are building walls and protective measures against the inflow of foreign instream, research units remain meeting places for scientific young capital from all over the world. OMFS-IMPATH houses no less than 17 different nationalities, who all share a common goal. The society should cherish the research facilities at universities as these are the beacons of hope in dark times.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The use of Artificial Intelligence methods in dental practice, such as deep learning, brings new perspectives for the diagnosis, classification and prediction of oral diseases, for treatment planning, and for the evaluation and prediction of outcomes.
BIOPRINTING
The development of imaging-based bioprinting techniques for full tooth and bone regeneration in the dentoalveolar region.
CBCT IMAGE QUALITY
The quality of CBCT reconstructed images may be seriously jeopardized in the presence of metallic artifacts, thus impairing or even invalidating the diagnosis.
COMPUTER ASSISTED MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
The development and clinical application of a computer assisted oral
and maxillofacial surgery system.
DIMITRA
Dentomaxillofacial paediatric imaging: an investigation towards low dose radiation induced risks.
- Task 1: Characterising the risks
- Task 2: Quantifying the doses
- Task 3: Surveying the risks through epidemiology
- Task 4: Reducing risks through image quality optimization
EXTRACT-NOAC
Effect of Exacyl mouthwash on frequency of afterbleeds after tooth extraction.
GUIDED ENDODONTICS
A novel guided endodontics method for the treatment of a Maxillary Premolar with pulp canal obliteration and apical periodontitis.
INNERVATION AROUND IMPLANTS
Regeneration and remodeling of sensory innervation around dental implants treated with platelet-rich plasma.
MEDICATION-RELATED OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAWS (MRONJ): imaging assessment of risk factor
The use of antiresorptive medication, such as bisphosphonates and denosumab, is very common within patients with cancer and osteoporosis. This group of medications interferes with the normal resorption-apposition cycle of the bone and its effect is essential to prevent bone fractures and bone metastasis in these groups of patients, respectively. However, the use of these medications has a known side effect: Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (MRONJ).
M3-OBSERVATORIUM
Epidemiological study on the surgical removal of third molars.
RADIATION DOSE SIMULATION
Patient-specific approach of CBCT imaging: custom made Monte Carlo simulations.
TOOTH AUTOTRANSPLANTATION
The development and clinical application of CBCT-based tooth auto transplantation.
TRIGEMINAL NERVE INJURIES
Reduction of Inferior alveolar nerve injury in bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO).
3D OCULAR PROSTESIS
In the absence, loss or shrinkage of an eye, a custom-made well-fitted ocular prosthesis is required to promote physical and psychosocial rehabilitation of the patient and maintain integrity of the eye socket. Current practice of prosthesis fabrication entails a time-consuming artisan “trial & error” method of which the outcome is variable as it depends on the skills and experience of the ocularist. Most patients develop anophthalmic socket syndrome characterized by sinking of the prosthesis and sagging and hollowing of the eyelids, as such satisfaction with the prosthesis is low and quality of life is affected.
RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Prof. dr. Reinhilde Jacobs
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Nele Vanloocke
© 2020 OMFS-IMPATH