Our Faculty

Dr. Anil Mathew have refined his clinical skills in the field of Prosthodontics, with special emphasis on Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and Implantology. Efforts were always made to enrich his knowledge in this area with related research.

The objective of the visit was to observe the patterns of workflow and learning practices used in Europe. The visit was highly effective in my skill escalation and in identifying the solutions for the gaps in practice at my home Institute.

Joint Meeting with Dr. Anita Veltmaaet (Policy Advisor, International Relations, University of Groningen) and Dr. H Reintsemah and Prof. Pieter Dijkstra to find Mutual Area of Interests were carried out. The interest on both sides to start joint research projects and academic exchange programs were conveyed in the meeting.

Identification of Areas for Joint Research

Few areas were identified for joint research.

1. Prevention and Treatment of Trismus Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Initial discussions with Dr. Harry Reintsemah and Prof. Pieter Dijkstra were done. Discussions suggested to consider studies in the following areas.

• Defining criteria for Trismus in Indian conditions
• Cross sectional evaluation of Trismus cases for Etiology and prevalence
• Cultural modifications of questionnaires used in the study.
• Use of a modified Dynamic Bite opener as treatment for Trismus cases.

1. Implant Related Studies

• Opinions from De. William Noorda on the long-term effect of surface roughness was especially useful in our studies with surface texture of implants.
• Opinions of Prof. Gerry Raghoebar on the studies of platelet rich Fibrin were highly informative.
• Discussions with Dr. William Noorda and Dr. Anita Visser who work as dentists for institutionalized elderly with community-based geriatric health care projects were highly beneficial for our on going programs.

Clinical Treatment Protocols and Clinical Designs

• Digital technology for planning, execution, and evaluation of treatment was fascinating. Working with Joep Kraeima MSc has helped me to supplement my knowledge in this area. Both our Head & Neck surgery and Prosthodontic post graduate students need exposure to this technology. Mr. Kraeima has offered his help in this area, especially in developing some modules which may be incorporated in their curriculum.

• Permanent registration of the Indian Dental Council –

• Life member, Indian Prosthodontic Society
• Member, Indian Dental Association.
• International Society of Maxillofacial Rehabilitation (ISMR)

1. Head and neck cancer patients – Prosthesis splints and stents
2. Restoration of facial defects.
3. Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain
4. Aesthetic Dentistry
5. Prosthodontic treatment for completely edentulous patients
6. Removable Prosthodontic treatment for partially edentulous patients
7. Tooth and tooth surface restorations.
8. Over dentures
9. Tooth Supported Fixed partial dentures
10. Implant supported/retained prosthetic rehabilitation in-

• Completely edentulous patients

• Partially edentulous patients
• Maxillo- facial defects

11. Maxillo- facialprosthetics

• Congenital Defects
• Feeding plates
• Surgical obturators
• Interim obturators
• Definitive obturators
• Cast partial dentures
• Implant supported prosthesis

• Acquired defects.

Has been an External /Internal Examiner in the subject of prosthodontics for Undergraduate/Post Graduate examinations for

• MGR Medical University, Tamil Nadu,
• Vinayaka Missions University, Salem
• Amrita Vishwa VidhyaPeetham, Kochi,
• B. P Koirala Institute of health sciences, Dharan, Nepal,
• Kerala University, Trivandrum,
• Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
• Calicut University, Calicut
• Kerala University of Health and allied Sciences. Kerala.
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka.
• Rajeev Gandhi University for Health Sciences.

1. “Improving the dental implant tissue bonding by nano texturing – A cost effective approach.”

PI(s):

Dr. Anil Mathew (Amrita School of Dentistry)

Dr. Deepthy Menon (Amrita Centre for NanoSciences and Molicular Medicine)

Co-PI: Dr. A.K.K. Unni (_Head, Animal Care Facility.)

Funding Agency: Indian Council for Medical Research

Project ref: 5/20/6/Bio/2013-NCD-I dtd 30.03.15

Project cost: INR 41,68,952/- (74525.98 CAD)

Status: Completion report on the project submitted to funding agency (ICMR) on April 2019.Patent process pending.

This study is indented to translate the indigenously developed nano topography onto dental Titanium implants via hydrothermal processing and investigate both short-term as well as long-term osseointegration under pre-loaded and loaded conditions. We evaluated the integration of implants at different time points under the following parameters after implantation in pigs:

(i) Direct bone to implant contact

(ii) Bone density in the peri-implant region (assessment of bone healing and re

modelling patterns)

(iii) Inflammatory response of nanomodified implants

All the above aspects investigated by studying the surface modified implants in comparison to Sand Blasted Acid Etched dental implants that are currently in clinical use.

2. Effect of platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) in improving osseointegration of titanium implants in uncontrolled diabetes- An Animal Study

PI(s): Dr. Anil Mathew; (Amrita School of Dentistry)

Ref: Acad/2017/37

Funding Agency: Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham

Status: Animal Trial completed.

Implant supported prosthetic rehabilitation is one of the most promising and established methods to confront edentulism. However, Diabetes mellitus is a relative contraindication for dental implants. The microvascular and macrovascular complications, impaired bone remodelling mechanism, diminished action of osteoblasts causes detrimental effects on bone matrix and its components and also affects adherence, growth and accumulation of extra-cellular matrix and thus a higher rate of early failure in diabetic patients. This study is done in diabetic Sprague-dawley rats to assess the effect of PRFM, a second-generation platelet concentrate on osseointegration of Titanium implants in uncontrolled diabetes.

3. Effect of Prosthetic Rehabilitation on Temporomandibular disorders.

PI: Dr. Saranya S.K

Co PI: Dr. Anil Mathew, Dr. Chandrashekar Janakiram.

Even though the prevalence of TMD in association with edentulism as well as in rehabilitated patients has been increasing, proper documentation of their association has not been established. This study focuses on identifying risk of TMD in edentulism and in partial or complete denture wearing.

‘Effect of Prosthetic Rehabilitation on Temporomandibular disorders’ has been registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India at http://ctri.nic.in (Registration no: CTRI/2020/06/026169] prospectively on 26th June 2020.

4. Prevalence of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction in adults – A cross-sectional study from Ernakulam, Kerala.

PI(s) Dr. Saranya S.K

Co PI(s): Dr. Anil Mathew; Dr. Chandrashekar Janakiram (Amrita School of Dentistry)

Funding Agency: Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham

Project cost: INR 5,35,000/- (9567.82 CAD)

As the public interest in oral health has been increasing, the interest and demand for treatment of Temporomandibular disorders have been increasing as well. This makes it an important necessity to have adequate epidemiological data estimating the proportion and distribution of these disorders among populations. So, this study aims to evaluate the prevalence of TMD in a mixed population of asymptomatic subjects and symptomatic TMD patients.

5. Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer patients

PI(s) Dr. Radhu Raj

Co PI(s): Dr. Chandrashekar Janakiram; Dr. Anil Mathew; (Amrita School of Dentistry)

Dr. Subramanya Iyer (Head and Neck Institute, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences)

Funding Agency: Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham

Project cost: INR 3,00,000/- (5365.64 CAD)

Phase 1 – Etiopathogenesis of trismus in Head and Neck Cancer patients

Phase 2 – Prevalence of trismus in head and neck cancer patients treated in a tertiary cancer-care centre.

Phase 3 – Development and validation of Trismus Impact Profile

Phase 4 – Management strategies of trismus in head and neck cancer and its effectiveness: A Systematic Review.

Phase 5 – Assessment of the effectiveness of “Dynamic Bite Opener” in the management of chronic trismus in head and neck cancer patients using Finite Element Analysis.

Amritasmitham – The Tribal Outreach Program

Responsibility – Convenor

https://www.amrita.edu/school/dentistry/amritasmitham

The “Amritasmitham” tribal outreach program under the Department of Prosthodontics and the Department of Public Health Dentistry of Amrita School of Dentistry has been running for 11years in the tribal belts of Kerala since 2008. It thrives on the sense of social responsibility and accountability of the medical profession and thereby offers a replicable model to make available rehabilitative services to the unreachable populations. More than 5000 people have benefitted from this outreach program and 789 complete dentures were delivered over the period of 11 years.

The mission of this program is to reach the unreached populations of Kerala, who often are geographically isolated and economically poorly equipped to seek treatment for dental ailments. The program also aims to provide healthcare professionals with an opportunity to have an experience of the health disparity faced by the tribals. It is a first-hand and extremely rewarding experience of volunteering in suboptimal conditions. Doctors who experience this meaningful way of making a difference in so many people’s lives are eager to keep giving. The program envisions to be able to provide the highest possible level of care (within the limitations of the program) to all tribals who seek it. This is an attempt at achieving holistic care for all those who deserve it.