Tokyo Women's Medical University

Graduate School of Medical Science

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

About us

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention for diseases in the oral and maxillofacial region. Because research in this field is important not only for eating, chewing, or swallowing, but also for aesthetic, it can be expected to expand further interesting studies. Jaw bone regeneration has been attempted for a long time by oral surgeons, and there are stem cell sources in the oral cavity. Therefore, regenerative medicine is familiar to the oral and maxillofacial surgery as a research field. For those reasons, we are especially focusing the research about regenerative medicine. You can study in collaboration with other departments, universities, or institutes for a variety of research.

Research

(1)Regenerative therapy in the oral and maxillofacial region using “cell sheet engineering”
We are researching about “cell sheet engineering” in collaboration with Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Women’s Medical University (TWIns). We have completed a clinical study of Autologous periodontal ligament cell sheet transplantation for periodontitis, and confirmed the long-term stability and safety of this cytotherapy. Moreover, we demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cell sheet transplantation is effective for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in animal models. Besides, we are researching about oral mucosal regeneration or dental implants using tissue engineering. Our goal is actually to deliver a new treatment to patients.

 (2)Use of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases
Dermoscopes are loupes for examining pigmented skin lesions noninvasively, and they are useful in dermatology for making an early differential diagnosis between melanoma and melanocytic nevi. We are researching about the diagnosis using dermascopy for oral mucosal diseases, including oral lichen planus, pemphigus, leukoplakia, or initial cancer.

 (3) A study of the efficacy of oral myofunctional therapy (MFT) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
As a treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), we are investigating the efficacy of oral myofunctional therapy (MFT). We will also examine the relationship between OSA, oral hypofunction, and Sarcopenia.

Faculty

Professor and Division head Toshihiro OKAMOTO
Lecturer Ryo SASAKI
Lecturer Nobuyuki KAIBUCHI

Related links

Research Achievements Database

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