Department of Digital Dentistry (English)

Department of Digital Dentistry (English)

Faculty Members

TAKAICHI Atsushi (Prof)
IWAKI Maiko (Associate Prof)
TSUCHIDA Yumi (Assistant Prof)

Students

OKUBO Ai
NAGURA Hanano
FURUKIDO Taisei
HOSOI Ayano
FANG QIUHAN
Chihiro Maemoto

Research

Metal Additive manufacturing

Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) is a metal 3D printing technology that uses a laser to selectively fuse metal powder and build complex structures layer by layer. Our research focuses on the dental applications of PBF using cobalt-chromium alloys, pure titanium and titanium alloys. We develop patient-specific dental prostheses with improved mechanical performance, biocompatibility, and manufacturing accuracy. Current projects include optimization of printing parameters, topology optimization for lightweight structures, evaluation of mechanical and biological properties, and the development of digital workflows for clinical application. Through interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering, dental medicine, and industry, we aim to establish scientifically validated manufacturing methods that support the future of personalized dentistry.

Digital partial denture

We developed a method for fabricating a custom plate for partial dentures in which a metal frame created using the PBF method and ready-made artificial tooth is embedded for each patient by adapting the TMDU custom disc method for complete dentures. This allowed for the milling of the artificial tooth, metal frame, and denture base all in one piece, overcoming the issues with traditional digital partial dentures. Dry milling machine is used to create this digital partial denture, but a wet milling machine might be utilized to create partial dentures of any size in the future. In the future, appropriate designs for custom plates will be considered, and fabrication of partial dentures for various defect configurations is assessed.

Milled Complete Base Denture

Traditional complete denture manufacturing entails a high number of visits, varying treatment quality due to dentist competence variances, and contamination resistance issues due to the use of acrylic resin. To address these issues, we developed a denture fabrication process based on CAD/CAM technology that reduces the number of visits, improves treatment quality uniformity, and improves the physical qualities of dentures. We invented the TMDU custom disk method, in which a personalized disk is generated for each patient and the denture base is milled as a single piece with artificial teeth. This custom disk is the subject of a patent application. The digital denture fabrication process we've developed incorporates a workflow that starts with an intraoral scanner optical impression of the edentulous jaw crest, then denture design and fabrication on a computer. To further digitalize the process, we intend to integrate AI-assist in denture design in the future. In addition, the company collaborates with manufacturer of milling machine and cutting tool on the creation of milling discs, which are required for milling digital dentures, as well as the verification of acceptable milling machine settings.

Implant overdenture

We began our clinical research of implant overdentures (IOD) in 2008 at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, and we now have over 100 patients, with the longest case being followed for over ten years. To date, the following IOD studies have been conducted.

1)Prospective clinical study of 2-IOD using ball attachment (2008-) 
2)RCT comparing normal and immediate loading of 2-IOD using magnetic attachments (2011-) 
3)Prospective clinical study of mini-IODs using mini-implants(2013-2014 McGill University)
4)Prospective clinical studies of 1-IOD (2015-)
5)Joint clinical research with Showa University on implant-assisted partial denture (IARPD) (2017-) 
6)Model experiments on IOD implant placement location and denture movement

We plan to conduct clinical research of 2-IOD employing two implants as the maintenance source in the maxilla as well as in the mandible to establish evidence.

Medical device program

Software intended for illness diagnosis and treatment can now be sold on a stand-alone basis and is regulated as a "medical device program," thanks to the passage of legislation in 2014. This has resulted in the development of medical device programs in a variety of fields. We are currently developing applications (medical device programs) to support oral myofunctional therapy for patients with malocclusion and periodontal disease treatment in our department, and we intend to test their clinical effectiveness, including synergistic effects, with face-to-face examinations.

Research Database

Your Pathway to Graduate School

1. Departmental Screening
First, you will need to take our department's initial screening test to demonstrate your skills and passion.

2. Join as a Research Student
If you pass the screening, you will be invited to join our research team as a Research Student (Daigakuin-Kenkyusei).(Please note: This status is a preparatory phase and does not mean you are officially enrolled in a graduate degree program yet.)

3. Official Admission Examination
While gaining valuable hands-on experience in our lab as a research student, you will prepare for and take the official admission examination for the Graduate School.

4. Official Enrollment
Upon successfully passing the official examination, you will officially enroll in your chosen degree program!


Our Graduate Programs

We offer advanced degree programs designed to deepen your expertise:
・Master's Program (Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Track)
    The program typically requires two years to complete, leading to a Master's degree in Oral Health Care Science.
・Doctoral Program (Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Track)
    The program typically requires three years to complete, leading to a Doctoral degree in Oral Health Care Science.


Learn More and Apply

Please read the application guidelines carefully to prepare for your journey:
    About Research Students:https://www.tmd.ac.jp/english/admissions/daigakuinkenkyusei/
    Graduate School Overview: https://admissions.isct.ac.jp/en/013/graduate
    Application Guidelines:https://admissions.isct.ac.jp/en/013/graduate/programs/medicine-dentistry-healthcaresciences-and-oralhealthcaresciences/md-guidelines/

Application Schedule

  Enrollment in October Enrollment in April
Submission of documents January - February of the previous year June - July of the previous year
Screening by documents March August
Online interview test April September
Notification of Acceptance / Rejection Early May Early October
Application submission to the University office May - June November - December
Enrollment October April
Graduate school You can try to enroll next April You can try to enroll next April

Required Documents

1. Interview Sheet 
2. CV (Free format)
3. Study / Research Plan (Form 1)
4. Recommendation letter from current supervisor or professor (Free format)
5. Certificate of TOEFL, IELTS, or other English skills test
6. Certificate of your GPA in university

  • Interview Sheet
  • Study/Research Plan
  • Submit your application to:

    Yumi Tsuchida (yumi.bmoe [@] tmd.ac.jp)
    *Please replace [@] with @ when sending your e-mail.

    Contact

    Yumi Tsuchida (yumi.bmoe [@] tmd.ac.jp)
    *Please replace [@] with @ when sending your e-mail.