Approach of Interdisciplinary Research in Dental Materials

Objectives: The importance of research based on solid scientific evidence is now well recognized yet not widely implemented in Pakistan, thus reducing the possible impact on health services in developing countries. The aim is to bring dental materials research into main stream with other fields; contributing to it and at the same time benefiting from strong interdisciplinary links.
Methods: Particularly, we have been focusing to initiate research trend in dental material science by using natural polymers and resin-based composites for dental applications. Synthetic and natural polymers have been used and critically analyzed especially the biodegradability, bioactivity and biocompatibility. Various projects based on these lines have been developed and area of interests are scaffolds, gel-casting, grafted composites for tooth and periodontal regeneration and dental restorations. The characterization of the resulting material is important key factor to understand about analytical instrumentation and the associated physical and chemical processes. In addition, the use of electrospinning is the strength to develop fibers at nano-scale.
Results: Over the period of time, we have successfully developed dental materials in collaboration with engineers, chemists, pharmacists, physicists, and material scientists. These newly developed materials and fibers have potential application. With respect to dentistry the additional approach is to encourage the research culture among dental community, promote the ethics, art and science of dentistry and to provide high quality professional research support.
Conclusions: The success and the vibrancy rely on its strong research base, which will feed into all our educational activities, and which will reinforce our strong collaborative links with national and international partners.