Align Technology today announced the award of twelve research grants to universities under the company’s fourteenth Annual Research Award Program.
The programme which aims to support clinical and scientific dental research in universities across the globe, was first opened on 6 Nov 2023, where up to US$300,000 will be awarded to university faculty for scientific and technological research initiatives to advance patient care in the fields of orthodontics and dentistry.
The funded research studies cover a wide range of topics including: maxillary molar distalisation in adult aligner patients, comparing the oral microbiome between fixed orthodontic treatment and compared it to individuals undergoing orthodontic interventions utilising removable clear aligners, evaluating early mixed dentition treatment, evaluating the effects of different interproximal reduction (IPR) systems on enamel surfaces, comparing the smile aesthetics including both objectives (smile arc, buccal corridor and incisor exposure), and evaluating the efficacy of different types of probiotics on biofilm formed around clear aligners.
“Align is delighted to announce the awards for research that leads to insights and evidence that advance the applicability of treatment for patients of all ages. We are pleased to support university research around the world in the orthodontic and dental fields,” said Dr Mitra Derakhshan, Align executive vice-president, chief clinical officer, global treatment planning and clinical services. “We are excited to learn about the findings from all of the awarded research and any future publications.”
All award applications received were first reviewed and prioritised in a blind evaluation by an independent academic committee. The final recipients were then determined by Align Technology.
The Americas research award recipients for 2024 are:
- University of Washington (Seattle, WA) – Primary Investigator, Dr Sanghee Lee
- University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) – Primary Investigator, Dr Sarah Hisham Abu Arqub
- University of California San Francisco (San Francisco, CA) – Primary Investigator, Dr Christine Hong
- University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY) – Primary Investigator, Dr Mohamed Bazina
The European research award recipients for 2024 are:
- UniCamillus International Medical University (Rome, Italy) – Primary Investigator, Dr Chiara Pavoni
- University of Insubria (Varese and Como, Italy) – Primary Investigator, Dr Luca Levrini
- UniCamillus International Medical University (Rome, Italy) – Primary Investigator, Dr Roberta Lione
- University of L’Aquila (L’Aquila, Italy) – Primary Investigator, Dr Silvia Caruso
The Asia Pacific research award recipients for 2024 are:
- Sichuan University (Chengdu, China) – Primary Investigator, Dr Hu Long
- Institute of Dental Studies and Technologies (Kadrabad, Ghaziabad, India) – Primary Investigator, Dr Vikas Thakur
- Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand) – Primary Investigator, Dr. Sirichom Satrawaha
- Ragas Dental College and Hospital (Uthandi, Tamil Nadu, India) – Primary Investigator, Dr NR Krishnaswamy
“This year the number of applications to the program is one of the largest since its initiation fourteen years ago,” said John Morton, Align vice-president, technical fellow. “The publications and lectures resulting from these research endeavours advance the science of dentistry and aim to improve the dental care of the global community. We are proud to provide this opportunity to these excellent university researchers throughout the world.”
Related: Winners of 2024 World Dental Hygienist Awards announced!
