As a result of successful project activities of the Faculty, we have managed to create infrastructure and set up instrumentation that are suitable for research at an advanced level; the research topics we have launched appear sustainable in the long term. For the past 5 years, we have identified new research areas within the Doctoral School, which actively assist in increasing publication activity and utilizing scientific and professional relations more efficiently.

At present, the Research Laboratory operating at the Unit of Oral Biology of the Faculty is involved in research in several areas:

1. Modification of the surface of titanium dental implants to improve osseo-integration: laser assisted ablation and polishing, coating with the help of octa-calcium-phosphate (OCP), polypeptide layers, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Assessment of the modified surfaces using AFM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cell (epithelium, fibroblast, and osteoblast) culture tests, and experiments.
2. The effect of fluoride containing prophylactic gels and solutions on the surface of titanium dental implants. AFM, XPS, SEM, (epithelial) cell culture tests and microbiological analyses.
3. AFM, XPS, and in vitro (epithelial) cell culture tests of decontaminated titanium dental implants.
4. Assessment of biocompatibility of zirconium dioxide and other ceramic implants using in vitro epithelial cell culture tests.
5. The effect of expressing ABO blood group antigens in saliva on the development of dental caries.
6. Halitosis. Fetid breath testing (volatile sulphuric compounds, e.g.,: sulph-hydric acid, methyl mercaptane, dimethyl sulphide) with the help of an OralChroma device, and comparison using the laser photo-acoustic method. Cooperation with the Department of Optics and Quantum Electronics of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Szeged in order to detect ammonia present in the oral cavity.

On the basis of six successfully completed projects (for a list, see below), we have equipped the research laboratory with advanced laboratory instruments. The SIMI EU5 project (1) helped us procure basic laboratory equipment (pH-tester, chillable centrifugal apparatus, etc.). The budget of Project no. 3 allowed us to purchase an atomic force microscope (AFM, PSIA XE-100, South Corea), suitable for testing the structural organization and properties of live and dead hard and soft surfaces. In the course of Project no. 4, the instrumentation of the research laboratory was further expanded by a cutting edge Nikon Eclipse 80i research microscope, software suitable for the digital analysis of histological and histomorphometric assessments, and a Leica rotary microtome for cutting decalcinated hard tissues and soft tissues. In addition, we have a research facility that is used for cell and tissue cultures for use in in vitro (epithelial, fibroblast, osteoblast) cell culture tests.

Completed projects:

1. „Surface Improvement of Metal Implants: New Preparation Methods and New Materials” SIMI EU5 Growth Program, GRD3-2001-61801, EUR 77,000.00. Coordinator: Dr. Frédéric Cuisinier, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, 2003-2005.
2. "Osseointegration of bone morphogenic protein coated implants”. German-Hungarian Bilateral Intergovernmental S&T cooperation, D-18/02. HUF 895,260.00. German partner: Dr. Herbert Jennissen, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Div. of Biochemical Endocrinology, University Clinics of Essen, 2003-2005.
3. Application of atomic force microscope in life- and inanimate sciences. Project funding the development of research instrumentation (KMA, project no.: MU-00328/2003 KPI). HUF 14 million. Partner: Group of Physics Department of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Szeged, 2003.
4. Project funding the development of research instrumentation for histomorphometrical investigation of hard-tissues), project no.: GVOP-2004-3.2.1 (KMA), HUF 13.5 million, 2004.
5. In vivo and in vitro investigations of the bio-integration of titanium implants modified by physical-chemical and biochemical surface techniques. ETT-434/2006 project, HUF 1.8 million. Ministry of Health Care, 2006-2008.
6. The effect of ABO blood type antigens and secretor status on dental caries in children) ETT-248/2009 project, HUF 2.4 million, over a period of 3 years. Ministry of Health Care, 2009-2011.

As a result of the successfully completed projects referred to above, we at the Faculty of Dentistry can perform advanced surface examinations (AFM), in vitro cell culture tests, and, in cooperation with the Institute of Surgical Research of the Faculty of Human Medicine of the University of Szeged, in vivo animal experiments. This equipment allows us to assess the biocompatibility of the modified biomaterial surfaces (titanium, ceramics) that we develop. These methods are indispensable for interdisciplinary investigation in the quickly developing and up-to-date area of biological surface sciences, and publishing the results attained in highly esteemed scientific journals.

As an important outcome of our research activities, we have successfully established cooperation with several other institutes of the University and the Faculty, and joined a number of foreign cooperation initiatives.

Cooperation’s:

University of Szeged

Faculty of Medicine: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Surgical Research, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Department of Physiology

Faculty of Science and Informatics: Department of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Research Group on Laser Physics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Physical Chemistry and Material Sciences, Department of Plant Biology, Department of Phytology and Botanical Garden

Faculty of Engineering: Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering.

Semmelweis University, Budapest

Faculty of Dentistry: Department of Oral Biology, Department of Oral Surgery and Dentistry

University of Debrecen

Faculty of Dentistry

Foreign partners:

Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg (France)

University Clinics of Essen, Institute of Physiological Chemistry (Germany)

Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier (France)

University of North Texas, Health Science Center, CCFT, Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Our senior instructors attend international conferences on a regular basis, which ensures that recent developments and trends are integrated in the training curriculum. Our students join research activities going on at the Faculty through the Academic Student Circle, and also by way of thesis preparation. Those enrolled in regular post-graduate training carry out scientific activities in the research laboratory of the Faculty. Students taking part in doctoral school activities as registered individual students preparing a thesis are also granted access to research facilities and participation in experiments.