R&D Agreements
THE DEPARTMENT SOPA VUB & UZ BRUSSEL STOMATOLOGY & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
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Reconstruction of large bone defects with custom made implants manufactured by rapid prototyping UZ Brussel Stomatology & computer assisted radiology and surgery (e.g. technologies and applications for image guided surgery UZ Brussel & VUB SOPA Stomatology
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Surgery in treatment of congenital and acquired deformities (e.g. Neonatal cleft lip and cleft palate repair, Orthognathic surgery, Growth analysis and genetics in oral-facial growth and diseases, prosthetic treatment of ectodermal dysplasia, distraction osteogenesis for correction of transverse mandibular deficiency and vertical alveolar ridge augmentation
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Therapy for craniomandibular pain dysfunction (e.g. Disorders of the temporo-mandibular joint: Different manifestations of articulation disorders associated with maxillary growth, condylar hyperplasia, mandibular hypomobility, managing obstructive sleep apnoea OSA) Occlusion and splint therapy and current principles of mobilization of the temporomandibular joint. Nonsurgical treatment of anterior disk displacement without reduction of the temporomandibular joint: the relationship between condylar rotation and translation
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Forensic science; Determination of age on teeth, improved techniques and analysis in industrial investigations on dental materials (polymers, metals). Research and arbitration in national and international legal/insurance lawsuits and dental interests
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Monitoring the stress-build up in Polymers i.e. all-ceramics with a novel optical fiber characterization technique. Applications of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors to the study of PMMA curing in other medical devices and the industry.
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cooperation & partners
SOPA – UZ Brussel
G. Wackens1
1SOPA Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Dept. Stomatology
Maxillofacial Surgery, Brussels, Belgium
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SPECIFICATION
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is in an exciting period of growth and development, with regard to both the scope and the complexity of cases that surgeons are called upon to treat. It is presumed that this trend will continue. The present program is very strong in orthognathic, trauma, and implant surgery. Expanding areas are those related to minor oral surgery, pediatric oral surgery, and surgical pathology of the jaws and adjacent anatomy.The residency training program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is een academic and clinical program that is a minimum of 4 years in duration with rotations at the following institutions:
* Medical Center H.Hart Aalst Brussels
* Dental Medical Center Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The primary focus of treatment is elective reconstructive surgery is centered around the surgical correction of maxillofacial injuries. The rotation at H. Hart Hospital in Aalst combines reconstructive surgery and treatment of facial trauma, with a major emphasis in the fields of head and neck surgery.The objective of the training program is to provide practitioners with a thorough background in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.Trainees are required to complete a minimum of publications and lectures as a formal part of the program before beginning their final clinical year. The basic aim of our training program is to produce oral and maxillofacial surgeons with as broad an educational base as possible and with wide clinical experience. In addition, time is allowed to give trainees the opportunity to pursue individual interests in the fields of research, optional clinical rotations.
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cooperation & partners
SOPA – UZ Brussel
G. Wackens1 M. Tabak1
1SOPA Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Dept. Stomatology
Maxillofacial Surgery,
SPECIFICATION
The aim of this study was to examine and to improve the splint therapy in a wide range of the actual possible treatments for patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The general goals of physical therapy for TMD are to restore normal joint function (motion, strength, endurance) reduce adverse loading pain, and facilitate the resumption of activities of living. It seems prudent, therefore, to avoid invasive procedures like orthodontics, occlusal adjustment or surgery in the management and treatment concerning the TMD. This part of consultation introduces an innovative splint system, which enables the general practitioner to treat patients with TMD in a multidisciplinary way in his private dental practice.
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OPTICAL STRESS ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MEDICAL ADHESIVES AND POLYMERS FOR MEDICAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVICES
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cooperation & partners
SOPA - TONA - SCK-CEN
1TW-TONA
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Dept. of Applied Physics and Photonics
Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
2SOPA Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Dept. Stomatology & Maxillofacial Surgery Laarbeeklaan 101 B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
³SCK-CEN
Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
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SPECIFICATION
DESCRIPTION OF THE R&D AND THE TECHNOLOGY
We present a niche application for optical fibre sensors in the domain of biophotonics, namely the monitoring of stress build-up during the curing process of adhesives (dental cements, repair glue,…) with fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) written in polarization-maintaining fibres to perform simultaneous multi-axial strain and temperature measurements as an alternative to conventional measurement methods (dilatometry, linometry) and complementary to the classic polarimetric optical fibre sensor. Accurate references for mechanical and thermal values are absolutely essential. Because of the complexity and the high degree of production turnover in the commercial development of dental composite resin cements, an average of one type every 2 years, there seems to be a chronic lack of time to thoroughly investigate these materials within a reasonable period and a long-term follow-up. In this study, we will complement conventional experiments with high-tech optical means to obtain a characterization of the cementing materials. Considering the small volume of the composite resin cement layer between tooth surface and ceramic facing, we use optical fibre sensors to monitor (Verbandt et al., 1996) the measure of shrinkage during setting. These sensors were initially developed to measure the stresses and tension in civil engineering and geotechnical applications (flood-control dams, etc). The extremely small diameter of these fibre sensors (optical fibre diameter 0.125 mm) and the wide measuring range (0 to 7 % tension and elongation) produce a very accurate result (Verbandt, 1996) during setting of composite resin cements both in in vitro and in in vivo situations. Because of the chemical inertness of the fibre (glass possibly coated with PMMA), the in vivo measurement will not be influenced by moisture, pH, and to a limited extent by the temperature, making the simulation almost complete. The correlation distance between the in vitro research and the in vivo observations therefore becomes significantly smaller or even negligible (Cloetens, 1994). The refinement and optimization of the dental care thus becomes a solid basis in favour of patient and practitioner.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH INSTITUTION TONA (DIRECTOR PROF. DR. H. THIENPONT)
Over the years, TONA received national and international recognition in the research field of micro-photonics through its many networking activities. It was for instance involved as partner in the national network of excellence (Inter University Attraction Pole IAP) on “Nonlinear Optics” and on “Photonic Technologies for Advanced Information Systems”, and recently as co-ordinator of such network on “Photons and Photonics”. On an international level, it operated as partner in EC IST-ESPRIT projects such as “Optically Interconnected Integrated Circuits OIIC” and the EC IST-FET project “Super Laser Array Memories SLAM”. As co-ordinator, TONA recently submitted a proposal for an EC 6th Framework “Network of Excellence for Micro-Optics NEMO”. This project was ranked number 1, kicked off in September 2004, and targets the structuring and integration of the research efforts and technological facilities of 33 research groups from 12 countries, all working on micro-optics.
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cooperation & partners
SOPA - UZ Brussel
1SOPA Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Dept. Stomatology & Maxillofacial Surgery
Laarbeeklaan 101 B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
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SPECIFICATION
Maxillofacial prosthetics is a subspecialty of Prosthodontics (Prosthetic Dentistry). The maxillofacial prosthodontist is involved not only in diagnostic examination, restoration and maintenance of oral function, comfort, aesthetics, and health of patients who are undergoing chemo-and radiation therapies, but also is involved in the rehabilitation of acquired and developmental defects through prosthetic repair. While maxillofacial prosthetic treatment is not a substitute for plastic and reconstructive surgery. Maxillofacial prosthetic treatment is indicated when anatomical parts of the head and neck are not replaceable by living tissue, when recurrence of malignancy is likely, when radiotherapy is being administered, or when fragments of facial bones are severely displaced in a fracture. A temporary prosthesis may cover a defect when plastic surgery repair requires many steps, and speech appliances may be used when surgery is considered nonadvantageous for the closure of a cleft palate. Surgically reconstructed sites also require maxillofacial prosthetic treatment with or without implants. As maxillofacial prosthetic training and materials continue to improve, and as implants become more and more important to facial rehabilitation, the maxillofacial prosthodontist and maxillofacial prosthetist become ever more important. SOPA & the UZ Brussel Hospital team consists of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, Speech Pathology and other specialities. Currently the division there is a multidisciplinary research project on trismus prevention in irradiated head and neck patients and research is being conducted in the area of craniofacial implants.
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cooperation & partners
SOPA - TONA - META
M. Tabak1, J. Vereecken2, H. Ottevaere3 and H. Thienpont3
Dept. Stomatology & Maxillofacial
Surgery Vrije Universiteit Brussels
Laarbeeklaan 101,1090 Brussels, Belgium
3TW-TONA
SPECIFICATION
Improved techniques and analysis in industrial investigations on dental materials (e.g.polymers, metals and porcelain) Research and arbitration in national and international legal/insurance lawsuits and dental interests; by means of metallurgical prosthetic defects (e.g. corrosion, alloying). Fiber Analysis Coating Failures Material Non-Performance Particle Testing/Comparisons Material contamination for Insurance companies Courts of law Magistrates and law center Patients Dental dept.of research. Injuries - court-appointed experts in the field of dentistry and stomatology.
MEDICO-LEGAL REPORTS
When signing a legal insurance policy, one is not always aware of the seriousness of the reciprocal legal consequences. Physical injuries mainly involve civil procedures in spite of the fact that criminal proceedings are instituted in some cases. lf diagnosis, anamnesis and the initial examination indicate possible fraud in the case, the expert's assessment for the insurer will rightly include the criminal section. What does this involve for the expert and his team? The violation of the public interest by making a false statement will result in the expert trying to reveal the truth instead of estimating the damage.
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