Oral Implant and Temporomandibular Joint Clinic

Director　 FUJII Noritaka

Our Education

Oral Implantology
emporomandibular Disorders

Our Research

The Division of Oral Implant and TMJ Clinic conducts research on temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and oral implants. In our research of the causes and treatments of TMDs, we measure and analyze electromyograms of the masseter muscles throughout the day using an ultra-compact portable electromyograph to evaluate bruxism during wakefulness and sleep. In addition, patients with TMDs may experience pain and difficulty opening their mouths because of stiff masticatory muscles; therefore, we use ultrasound to quantitatively assess the masseter muscle stiffness for diagnosis and treatment. Mouthguards are often used for patients with TMDs, but they are easily contaminated by bacteria and may worsen the oral environment. Therefore, we are developing mouthguard materials with antibacterial properties.
In our oral implant research, we are performing statistical analyses of late implant failures and developing a new minimally invasive method for implant removal in elderly patients using rat models. In addition, we are measuring the distribution of occlusal pressure in the dentition before and after implant prosthetics, analyzing the occlusal force including natural teeth, and studying the role of implants in the dentition. We are also establishing methods for maintaining implants in elderly patients and conducting materials science research on implant superstructures with surface properties that make them less adherent to plaque.

Clinical Fields

The Department of Oral Implant and Temporomandibular Joint Clinic is a central division of Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital that manages two divisions: the division for treatment of TMDs and the division for oral implantology.
TMDs are musculoskeletal disorders caused by overloading of the jaw and muscles. Treatment involves reducing the load on the jaw and muscles and treating pain and muscle tension. Initial treatment includes patient education, self-care instruction, physical therapy, medications, and mouthpiece therapy. After 3 months of initial treatment, more than 80% of patients achieve improvement in their symptoms with no difficulty with their daily activities.
Oral implants restore the function of missing teeth using an artificial tooth root. Because implant treatment has a high success rate and is a very long-term treatment, we believe it is important to choose an implant technique that anticipates the long-term progress of the entire oral cavity, not just the area in which the tooth is missing. Because the procedure involves surgery, we aim to provide safe and secure implant treatment by performing a thorough preoperative examination and diagnosis.

Our Website

https://www.dent.niigata-u.ac.jp/tmd2/

Our Citizenship

We contribute to society by holding many lifelong learning seminars for dentists.

• About Us
• Dean’s Message
• History
• Admission Policies
• Faculty Factsheet
• Access
• Departments/Faculty
  • Div. of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
  • Div. of Biomimetics
  • Div. of Preventive Dentistry
  • Div. of Cariology Operative Dentistry and Endodontics
  • Div. of Pediatric Dentistry
  • Div. of Bio-Prosthdontics
  • Div. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Div. of Dental Clinical Education
  • Div. of Oral Anatomy
  • Div. of Oral Physiology
  • Div. of Oral Biochemistry
  • Div. of Periodontology
  • Div. of Orthodontics
  • Div. of Dysphagia Rehabilitation
  • Div. of Anatomy and Cell Biology of the Hard Tissue
  • Div. of Oral Pathology
  • Div. of Dental Pharmacology
  • Div. of Comprehensive Prosthodontics
  • Div. of Reconstructive Surgery for Oral and Maxillofacial Region
  • Div. of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
  • Div. of Dental Anesthesiology
  • Department of Oral Health and Welfare
  • Center for Advanced Oral Science
  • Div. of Dental Clinical Education
    General Dentistry and Clinical Education Unit
  • Oral Implant and Temporomandibular Joint Clinic