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Oral infections and inflammation

Tooth decay (caries), gum disease (periodontal inflammation) and root canal inflammation (endodontal inflammation) are caused by infections in your mouth. And there is growing evidence that these illnesses affect your overall health. That is why our scientists within this programme are doing research on how you can prevent these oral diseases (prevention), what causes you to develop this oral disease (etiology) and how you can best treat them.

To find out what causes these oral diseases, our scientists are looking at specific bacteria in dental plaque, host factors and various individual responses to the inflammation. To investigate how you can prevent these oral diseases, they also look at the use of fluoride and how clean you keep your teeth. In addition, they are also investigating the various treatments that can help cure these oral diseases.

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Oral infections and inflammation

  • Experimental Preventive dentistry, Clinical Cariology and Microbiology

    The formation, structure and properties of biofilms on hard tissue surfaces are studied extensively. The action of anticariogenic and antimicrobial agents are studied in the Constant Depth Film Fermenter (CDFF) and in a microtiter biofilm model.
    Fluoride that, at present, is still the most effective caries-preventive agent is subject for further study. A better understanding of its mode of action, also on the molecular level towards microbial metabolism, as well as its possible side-effects (fluorosis and the induction of a fluoride-resistant oral microflora) will help to improve formulations and the development of fluoride-releasing devices and restorative materials.

    In addition to fluoride, antimicrobials have come into focus as caries preventive agents. The efficacy alone or in combination with fluoride is still unknown and application protocols are not yet based on a critical evaluation of experimental and clinical results. The successes of antimicrobials in caries prevention are still limited.

    All scientific publications (from 2009 until now) for Cariologie/EPT/Microbiologie

  • Endodontology

    The prevention of bacterial penetration in the root dentinal tubules and the root canal by a proper seal of the restoration is of major importance for the life expectance of teeth. Modified disinfection methods of the root canal are studied. New filling methods and contemporary adhesive systems are tested in in vitro leakage models and in clinical studies.

    All scientific publications (from 2009 until now) for Endodontology

  • Paediatric dentistry

    Paediatric dentistry mainly focuses on child related aspects in the treatment of young patients. Better treatment concepts (preventive as well as conservative and in relation to behaviour management) of dental caries in children are studied. Treatment concepts like ART (Atraumatic Restorative Treatment), the influence of total rehabilitation of the children’s dentition on general and oral health, consequences of restorative treatment on the child’s coping and anxiety are under investigation.

    All scientific publications (from 2009 until now) for Paediatric dentistry

  • Periodontology

    Periodontitis is a destructive inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth. It is caused by bacteria and affects a substantial part of the human population. Over the age of 45 years it is a major cause for tooth loss. This research programme is devoted to clarify the individual differences in susceptibility to periodontitis and to investigate the mechanisms involved in periodontal breakdown and repair/regeneration. In addition the evaluation of the efficacy of new preventive and therapeutic measures is part of the programme.

    This research programme is devoted to clarify the individual differences in susceptibility to periodontitis and to investigate the mechanisms involved in periodontal breakdown and repair/regeneration. In addition the evaluation of the efficacy of new preventive and therapeutic measures is part of the programme ORM: The research of Bioengineering of Bone and Periodontium of the Department of Oral Cell Biology studies the biological processes of functional adaptation and guided regeneration of bone and periodontium. Research focuses on fundamental aspects of mechanotransduction, and tissue engineering of bone, cartilage, and periodontium. The results are used in more applied research towards repair and regeneration of jawbone and periodontium, and prevention/treatment of infections around implants.

    The ACTA research on ORM is also included in the interdisciplinary research institute MOVE, a collaboration between the faculty of Human Movement Sciences, the VU University Medical Centre and ACTA. ACTA’s research within MOVE makes up a large part of the research focus Bioengineering, reconstruction and function recovery of dental tissue and bone.

    For general information on research taking place in our department or for researchers interested in a PhD-project at the department of periodontology, you may contact prof. dr. Bruno Loos b.loos@acta.nl. For more information about PhD-projects at ACTA go to: PhD/Graduate School.

    All scientific publications (from 2009 until now) for Periodontology

  • Oral Biochemistry

    Without saliva all oral tissues will be affected by exogenous factors as microorganisms and aggressive nutritional components. Saliva apparently protects oral surface tissues against harmful attacks. The primary aim of the research of the Department of Oral Biochemistry is to analyse the contribution of the individual salivary components, particularly of the (glyco) proteins to maintain oral tissues healthy, also in relation to microbiological aspects of oral infections.

    All scientific publications (from 2009 until now) for Oral Biochemistry 

  • Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

    The research of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology of ACTA is focussed on early diagnosis of oral cancer and precancer, including cancer of the salivary glands, on surgical orthopedics of the maxillofacial skeleton and on maxillofacial implantology and reconstructive preprosthetic surgery. In addition research is performed on other aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery, such as osteoradionecrosis and antithrombotic medication. The research is performed at the VU and AMC locations of Amsterdam UMC.

  • Orthodontics

    The research activities at the Department of Orthodontics focus on basic and clinical research in orthodontics and related disciplines. Three main themes exist: 1) Basic and clinical description of environmentally and genetically induced aberrations of facial form, 2) To determine the impact of Orthodontics on the quality of life and 3) To optimise orthodontic material properties and procedures for clinical use.

    All scientific publications (from 2009 until now) for Orthodontics

  • Oral Public Health

    Research of the department is focused on Oral Health-related Well-being and Behaviour, of both patients and general dental practitioners. Three general objectives are guiding the section’s research efforts:

    1. To monitor and improve and the oral health of the Dutch population and to increase patients’ quality of life and satisfaction and the public trust in dentistry;
    2. To assess the determinants and general consequences of occupational stress and well-being of general dental practitioners and their staff;
    3. To study dental anxiety and pain, two major barriers to seek and maintain dental care, of both adult and child-patients, from a multidimensional perspective and with the help of psychologists, dentists, and double-trained staff-members.

    All scientific publications (from 2009 until now) for Oral Public Health


    More information

    View the page of Oral Public Health