About the Department of Restorative Sciences
The Department of Restorative Sciences establishes foundational concepts and technical knowledge of restorative dentistry in the predoctoral curriculum. Additionally, the department offers advanced education programs in Endodontics and Prosthodontics and is home to the Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics. Our goal is to advance the oral and general health of our communities through the implementation of innovative techniques and materials in our dynamic and hands-on clinical curriculum. While committed to providing high-quality education to our predoctoral and advanced education students, the department also serves an equally important position in providing national leadership in organized dentistry, dental research and transferring evidence-based knowledge through continuing education programs to the profession.
Mission of the Department of Restorative Sciences
The mission of the Department of Restorative Sciences is to support the vision, mission, core values and goals of the School of Dentistry through teaching, service, patient care and research. The department aspires to establish and maintain itself as an academic center of national and international excellence with an emphasis on patient care and scientific discovery in the areas of biomaterials, endodontics, operative dentistry, and prosthodontics.
Faculty in the Department of Restorative Sciences
Our faculty strive to grow in their knowledge, expertise, and skill as academicians, clinicians, and researchers, while contributing to dental knowledge through publications and continuing education. Internationally known for their skill as educators and researchers, our faculty serve numerous roles in local, state, and national organizations that promote the highest standards of dentistry and dental education.
Heather Conrad
Interim Chair, Department of Restorative Services
[email protected]
Denise Coronado, Department Administrator
[email protected]
Divisions
The Department of Restorative Sciences is home to four divisions.
Division of Biomaterials
The Division of Biomaterials is dedicated to the research of biomaterials with relevance to clinical dentistry and home to the Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics (MDRCBB). The division is committed to providing the highest quality education to all students by offering courses designed to provide a fundamental understanding of materials science behind the contemporary materials used in dentistry, as well as the bioengineering principles. The MDRCBB is a multidisciplinary resource center dedicated to furthering research and development in biomaterials, biomechanics and nanotechnology. The members have expertise in a broad spectrum of biomaterials engineering, surface analyses and computational biomechanics. The center partners with students at the University of Minnesota and international scholars via the 3Mgives KOL scholarship program, while consistently producing proliferative postdoctoral fellowships.
Faculty
Alex Fok, PhD, MSc
Professor and Director, Division of Biomaterials
Director, Minnesota Dental Research Center for Bio Materials and Biomechanics
Isha Mutreja, PhD, MSc
Assistant Professor
Division of Endodontics
The Division of Endodontics is committed to providing the highest quality education to our predoctoral and advanced education students. Our talented faculty has developed a curriculum and competency standards in patient care pertaining to the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp along with associated periradicular conditions. Our students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to facilitate the management of challenging clinical situations. Emphasis is placed on lifelong learning, engagement with our communities through evidence-based practice and contribution to the profession through research and publication.
Faculty
Craig Noblett, DDS, MS
Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Division of Endodontics
Director, Advanced Education Program in Endodontics
Ronald Ordinola Zapata, DDS, MS, PhD
Assistant Professor
Maria Prieto Cavalieri, DDS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Carolina Rodriguez-Figueroa, DDS, MS
Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Predoctoral Endodontic Clinic
Advanced Education
The Advanced Education Program in Endodontics provides instruction that includes extensive exposure to the scientific literature that forms the knowledge base of endodontics while incorporating new technologies to assist the residents in developing and mastering their skills in our Graduate Endodontic Clinic. The residents also contribute to the body of knowledge in endodontics through their research efforts. Graduates will become proficient clinicians and leaders in endodontics.
Division of Operative Dentistry
The Division of Operative Dentistry is committed to providing the highest quality education to our predoctoral and dental therapy students. Our talented faculty has developed a curriculum and competency standards in patient care pertaining to supporting optimal patient oral health, comfort, function and esthetics through risk-based diagnosis, prevention and tooth-preserving management of caries and non-carious diseases, disorders, and conditions of the teeth. Our students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to facilitate the management of challenging clinical situations. Emphasis is placed on lifelong learning, engagement with our communities through evidence-based practice and contribution to the profession through research and publication.
Faculty
Gary Hildebrandt, DDS, MS
Clinical Professor and Director, Division of Operative Dentistry
Hooi Pin Chew, BDS, FDSRCS, PhD
Associate Professor
Ignatius Lee, DDS, MS
Clinical Associate Professor
Michael Madden, DDS
Clinical Professor
Jorge Perdigao-Henriques, DMD, MS, PhD
Professor
Mercedes Porter, DDS, MA
Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs
Omar Zidan, BDS, HDD, MS, PhD
Associate Professor
Division of Prosthodontics
The Division of Prosthodontics is committed to providing the highest quality education to our predoctoral and advanced education students. Our talented faculty has developed a curriculum and competency standards in patient care pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues. Our students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to facilitate the management of challenging clinical situations. Emphasis is placed on lifelong learning, engagement with our communities through evidence-based practice and contribution to the profession through research and publication.
Faculty
Alvin Wee, DDS, BDS, MS, MPH, PhD
Professor and Director, Division of Prosthodontics
Ranier Adarve, DDS, MS, MHPE
Associate Professor and Director, Program for Advanced Standing Students
Mohammed Akl, DDS, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Heather J. Conrad, DMD, MS, FACP, FRCD(C)
Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Restorative Sciences
Oana Ivan, DDS
Clinical Associate Professor
William Larson, DDS, MS
Clinical Associate Professor
Richard Madden, DDS, MS
Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Predoctoral Preclinic
Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD
Associate Professor and Dean, School of Dentistry
Jacqueline Medina, DDS
Clinical Associate Professor
Arpit Nirkhiwale, BDS, MS, CAGS, FICOI
Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Digital Education in Prosthodontics
Paul Olin, DDS, MS
Professor and Interim Associate Dean, Patient Care and Clinical Services
Augusto Saldarriaga, DDS, MS, FACP
Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Predoctoral Prosthodontic Clinic
Wook Jin Seong, DDS, MS, PhD, FACP
Associate Professor
Fengyuan Zheng, BDS, PhD, FACP
Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics
Advanced Education
The Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics provides instruction that includes extensive exposure to the scientific literature that forms the knowledge base of prosthodontics while incorporating new technologies to assist the residents in developing and mastering their skills in our Graduate Prosthodontic Clinic. The residents also contribute to the body of knowledge in prosthodontics through their research efforts. Graduates will become proficient clinicians and leaders in prosthodontics.