RESEARCH

Dr. James Simmer

Dr. James Simmer, a professor in the Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, received IADR's 2007 Award for Basic Research in Biological Mineralization during the group's annual meeting this spring.

The award is designed to recognize and encourage basic research in biological mineralization.

Simmer's research, featured in the School of Dentistry's 2005 annual report, focuses on the cellular and molecular biology of tooth enamel formation. He has identified some of the factors that lead to genetic defects that cause nearly one in 8,000 people to be born with bad teeth.

IADR noted that Simmer's research led to basic science advances that "led directly to improvements in our understanding of the genetic etiologies of inherited enamel defects grouped under the designation of amelogenesis imperfecta."

Patients with this condition have difficulty brushing, breathing, or even drinking cold water without experiencing pain in their teeth.

The burden is not only physical, it's also psychological since disfigured teeth often affect a patient's quality of life.

Comprehensive dental work to correct these difficulties is often a major expense since many, if not all, of a patient's bad teeth must be restored over an extended period of time. Both the cost of restoration and the amount of time spent in dental clinics can be considerable.

Understanding the gene mutations and identifying the protein molecules that result in bad teeth being passed from generation to generation may one day help dentists develop customized treatment plans for their patients.