The Section of Biomaterials Science provides basic didactic coursework to beginning students, advanced courses in materials and biomechanics, guest lectures on materials in restorative dentistry and removable partial dentures to intermediate students, and advanced materials and biomechanics to Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic residents. These courses are designed to provide a basic understanding of the characteristics of restorative and laboratory materials. Further, the proper procedures for manipulation of the materials to provide the appropriate clinical response are emphasized.

The Section also performs research into the properties and biomechanical characteristics of new and commonly used restorative materials and devices. Students and faculty perform collaborative research in the Biomaterials Laboratory. The results of these investigations are presented at national and international research meetings and are integrated into the teaching programs.

• Teaching Programs
• Courses Taught
• Research Activities

Teaching Programs

Predoctoral

Courses Taught

 Predoctoral Courses

Postdoctoral Courses - For Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Residents

Research Activities

The activities of the Biomaterials/Biomechanics Laboratory, headed by the Section Chair Dr. Caputo, span a wide range of subjects. Mechanical properties of materials and devices are studied and characterized. The principles of photoelastic stress analysis are applied to determine the load transfer characteristics of various appliances and rehabilitation approaches. Current work with implants include load transfer by implants in a vertical ridge augmentation model, the effect of palatal support on load transfer with various implant supported overdenture designs, the effect of staggered buccal-lingual implant placement on load transfer, and the properties of retention mechanisms for implant retained maxillofacial prostheses.