Research Priorities

Diabetic Dental Technology Group (DDTG) at the Afsar Biomaterials Research Lab is proud to present the "Impact of Diabetes on Dentin Mineralization."

 

Diabetes mellitus (DM) can have an impact on dentin's physical and mechanical properties, potentially affecting most dental treatments. Dentin is a yellowish, mineralized tissue that supports the enamel and encloses the pulp chamber. It is composed of 60% inorganic apatite and 40% fibrillar protein collagen arranged in tubular structures oriented from the pulp chamber to the enamel and cementum boundaries. Despite its importance in dental treatments, only a few studies have explored the impact of systemic diseases like diabetes on dentin quality.

There is currently no understanding of why dental treatments for diabetic patients fail more quickly than usual. Recent research by DDTG suggests that individuals with diabetes have altered levels of inorganic trace elements, which negatively impact the quality of dentin mineralization. DDTG has two primary goals:

 

 

 

 

By achieving these goals, DDTG aims to raise awareness among the research community, educators, and clinicians about new technology and its implementation through continuing education programs.

 



Thank you again for your interest. Here is a list of the publications we have on this topic:




 

 

 

The Diabetic Dental Technology Group (DDTG) at the Afsar Biomaterials Research Lab is proud to announce their work in the field of detecting systemic diseases through the voice.

 

Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is a condition characterized by decreased salivary flow. There is limited research on using voice analysis to detect xerostomia, but some studies have suggested that certain vocal parameters, such as jitter and shimmer, may be altered in individuals with xerostomia. However, the evidence is not yet strong enough to establish voice analysis as a reliable and accurate means of detecting xerostomia, and further research is needed to validate these findings. Currently, xerostomia is typically diagnosed through a clinical examination and patient self-report of symptoms. The voice should not be used as a sole means of diagnosing xerostomia, and individuals with concerns about their health should always consult a medical professional. The Diabetic Dental Technology Group (DDTG) at the Afsar Biomaterials Research Lab is pioneering the use of voice analysis for the early detection of systemic diseases, including xerostomia, Parkinson's, depression, and diabetes. Although there is limited research in this area, some studies have shown promise in using vocal parameters such as jitter, shimmer, pitch, formants, and spectral features to detect these conditions. However, it is important to emphasize that voice analysis should never be used as a standalone diagnostic tool and should always be combined with other diagnostic methods, such as clinical examination, patient self-report, and traditional medical tests.

DDTG recognizes the potential of this cutting-edge technology and is committed to advancing the field by conducting further research to validate the findings and improve the reliability and accuracy of voice analysis in detecting systemic diseases. In addition, the group aims to educate and raise awareness among the research community, educators, and clinicians about the potential benefits and implementation of this technology through continuing education programs.

 

 

Thank you again for your interest. Here is a list of the publications we have on this topic:

 



Project Collaborators:

Professor Celia Stewart is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at NYU: Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She provides classes in Voice Disorders, Interdisciplinary Habilitation of the Speaking Voice, and Motor Speech Disorders. She maintains a small private practice that specializes in the care of the professional voice, transgender voice modification, neurogenic voice disorders, and dysphagia. She has published in the areas of spasmodic dysphonia, transgender voice, dysphagia, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. She is an invited, international speaker performing workshops in Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Canada, and the United States. Dr. Stewart coauthored the recently published Voice Rehabilitation: Testing Hypotheses and Reframing Therapy

Dr. Behroozmand is an Associate Professor of Communication Disorders (COMD) and the Director of Speech Neuroscience Lab in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. He has background in Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience and his research is focused on investigating the neural bases of speech production and motor control in the human brain. Dr. Behroozmand's lab utilizes a wide range of techniques including electrophysiology (EEG, ERP, ECoG), functional neuroimaging (fMRI) and high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to study sensory-motor mechanisms of speech in healthy individuals and patients with neurological disorders. The ultimate goal of this research is to gain knowledge that can be translated into the development of novel diagnosis and clinical treatment methods to enhance speech communication and improve quality of life in patients with speech disorders. 


Diabetic Dental Technology Group (DDTG) at the Afsar Biomaterials Research Lab is proud to present the "Impact of Diabetes on Dentin Mineralization." 

The Lab aims to:

Further explore concepts of biocompatibility

The Bio/Nano Dental Materials & Devices Lab is also a regular recipient of federal grants. Example of NIH funded projects include NR21 -24560293

The Diabetic Dental Technology Group (DDTG) at the Afsar Biomaterials Research Lab is proud to announce their work in the field of detecting systemic diseases through the voice. 

Diabetic Dental Technology Group (DDTG) at the Afsar Biomaterials Research Lab is proud to present the "Expandable Endodontic Sealer”