Research field introduction

“Our aim is to foster clinicians with a research mindset and to develop advanced strategy against periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a troublesome condition caused by the interaction between host and parasite, which leads to inflammatory destruction of supporting tissue of the tooth. As the disease becomes more severer, it acts as a low-grade chronic inflammation for the host. Therefore, to establish treatment strategy based on the etiology of the disease, it is necessary to understand the pathogenesis of the disease by considering the balance between the parasite (infectious bacteria) and local host defensive mechanisms (or environmental/genetic factors affecting them) as well as systemic inflammatory response. Then, ‘custom-made’ medical care should be provided in accordance with a correct diagnosis and individually distinct disease status. Moreover, the ultimate goal of periodontal treatment is to regenerate lost tissue. Since regenerative abilities also differ from patient to patient, it is keenly anticipated that advanced custom-made regenerative therapies should be developed.

Hanaoka Seishu, a doctor from Kishu (Current-day Wakayama prefecture of Japan), who was the first person who performed surgery under general anesthesia in the world, had proposed the concept of ‘Katsubutsu Kyuuri’ (exploring the truth by carefully observing live clinical picture). This way of thinking is also important as the pathology of periodontal disease also varies according to the patients. In modern medicine, it is essential to gain basic knowledge to carefully observe the disease status. These knowledge and techniques need to be utilized for precision periodontology. We are training clinicians with such a research mindset based on these concepts.”