About Our Department

Welcome to the UAB Department of Periodontology. We are committed to optimizing the overall health of our patients and the community through superior periodontal care, education, and outreach. We work to do so through innovative programs in teaching, patient care and research. Well-qualified and passionate faculty direct these efforts supported by dedicated staff.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Periodontology

The Department of Periodontology is actively engaged in clinical and translational research that truly focuses upon the UAB School of Dentistry’s core values: excellence, patient-centered, innovation, and unity of purpose. We aim to conduct research that meets the highest standards in a state-of-the-art facility to provide benefits to our patients and to expand the knowledge base in periodontology. Our research interests include periodontal-systemic connection, innovative regenerative technologies, dental implant innovations, epigenetics, and the periodontal microbiome.

Recent Studies

• Active Studies
  • A dental implant registry of treatment outcomes of implant therapy by practitioners in the National Dental Practice Based Research Network (UG3 DE030090).
  • A prospective, randomized clinical trial to compare side incision access mucosal incision (SAMRI) and sulcular tunnel access (STA) root coverage procedures with coronally advanced flap and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to treat teeth with gingival recession and lack of adequate keratinized tissue.
  • Growth factor availability and release kinetics in Platelet Rich Fibrin versus rh-PDGF with and without bone substitutes: An in vitro analysis.
  • Gain of Keratinized Mucosa Around Teeth and Dental Implants Using a combination of Strip Gingival Graft and Acellular Dermal Matrix.
  • Lateral Ridge Augmentation Using allograft bone particles hydrated with or without Recombinant Human Platelet-Derived Growth factor: A clinical and Histological Randomized Controlled Trial.
  • A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Control, Single-Center Safety and Efficacy Study of a Novel Dental Gel(LDG) as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) in Subjects with Stage II and III Periodontitis.
  • A prospective, randomized clinical trial to compare orthodontic molar protraction with and without adjunctive periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontic (PAOO) surgery.
  • Tissue Procurement for Periodontal and Dental Implant Research.
  • Impact of abutment angulation on longitudinal dental implant outcomes.
• Peer-Reviewed Articles
  1. Clagett R, Ogdon D, Kim M, Geisinger ML. Treatment of recession defects with mucosal access and use of soft tissue allograft: A case report of a simplified protocol. Clin Adv Periodontol 2020; 10(1): 30-37.
  2. Geisinger ML, David DC, Dragan IF. “Un-expected”: Managing oral health in a complicated pregnancy. Compend Cont Dent Educ 2020; 41(5): 272-277.
  3. Kumar PS, Geisinger ML, DeLong HR, Lipman RD, Araujo MWB. Living under a cloud. Electronic cigarettes and the dental patient. J Am Dent Assoc 2020; 151(3): 155-158.
  4. Abou-Arraj RV, Pizzini A, Nasseh P, Basma H. 2020. Soft Tissue Management Around Implants: Why, When, and How? Curr Oral Health Rep 2020; 7: 381-396.
  5. Estrich C, Mikkelsen M, Morrissey R, Geisinger ML, Ioannidou E, Vujicic M, Araujo MWB. Estimating COVID-19 prevalence and infection control practices among US Dentists. J Am Dent Assoc 2020; 151(11): 815-824. *Selected as the Cover Feature **Most cited article in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2020.
  6. Kumar PS, Geisinger ML, Avila-Ortiz G. Methods to mitigate infection spread from aerosol-generating dental procedures. J Periodontol. 2021; 92(6): 784-792.
  7. Geisinger ML, Iaonnidou E. Up in the Air? Future Research Strategies to Assess Aerosols in Dentistry. JDR Clin Trans Res. 2021; 6(2): 128-131.
  8. Basma HS, Abou-Arraj RV. Management of a Large Artery During Maxillary Sinus Bone Grafting: A Case Report. Clin Adv Periodontics. 2021; 11(1): 22-26.
  9. Abou-Arraj RV, Kaur M, Alkhoury S, Swain TA, Geurs NC, Souccar NM. The new periodontal disease classification: Level of agreement on diagnoses and treatment planning at various dental education levels. J Dent Educ. 2021; 85(10): 1627-1639.
  10. Pizzini A, Basma HS, Li P, Geurs NC, Abou-Arraj RV. The impact of anatomic, patient and surgical factors on membrane perforation during lateral wall sinus floor elevation. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2021; 32(3): 274-284.
  11. Kaur M, Geurs NC, Cobb CM, Otomo-Corgel J, Takesh T, Lee JH, Lam TM, Lin K, Nguyen A, Nguyen BL, Wilder-Smith P. Evaluating efficacy of a novel dentifrice in reducing probing depths in Stage I and II periodontitis maintenance patients: A randomized, double-blind, positive controlled clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2021; 92(9): 1286-1294.
  12. Misch CM, Basma H, Misch-Haring MA, Wang H-L. An updated decision tree for vertical bone augumentation. Int J Periodont Res Dent 2021; 41(1): 11-21.
  13. Araujo MWB, Estrich CG, Mikkelsen M, Morrissey R, Harrison B, Geisinger ML, Ioannidou E, Vujicic M. COVID-2019 among dentists in the United States: A 6-month longitudinal report of accumulative prevalence and incidence. J Am Dent Assoc. 2021; 152(6):425-433. Erratum in: J Am Dent Assoc. 2021 **Selected as the Clinical Research Paper of the Year in Dentistry 2021 by Dr. Bicuspid (Cuspie Award)
  14. Basma HS, Misch CM. Extraction socket grafting and ridge augmentation failures association with clindamycin antibiotic therapy: A retrospective study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Impl 2021; 36(1): 122-125.
  15. Geisinger ML, Nasseh P, Galviz G, Jo KY, Pikos AM. Adjunctive Use of Platelet Concentrates for Hard- and Soft-Tissue Grafting. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2021 May;42(5):212-217.
  16. Solanki C, Geisinger ML, Luepke PG, Al-Bitar K, Palomo L, Lee W, Blanchard S, Shin D, Maupome G, Eckert GJ, John V. Assessing readiness to manage medical emergencies among dental students at four dental schools. J Dent Educ. 2021; 85(9): 1462-1470.
  17. Kaur M, Abou-Arraj RV, Lin CP, Geisinger ML, Geurs NC. A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis of Biologic and Prosthetic Complications Associated With Single-Tooth Endosseous Dental Implants: Practical Applications. Clin Adv Periodontics. 2021 Dec;11(4):225-232.
  18. Geisinger ML, Calvert Grosso K, Kaur M, Abou-Arraj RV, Basma H, Ogdon D, Geurs NC. Clinical Decision Making for Primary Peri-Implantitis Prevention: Practical Applications. Clin Adv Periodontics. 2021 Mar;11(1):43-53.
  19. Basma H, Saleh I, Abou-Arraj R, Li P, Benavides E, Wang HL, Chang HL. Association between lateral wall thickness and sinus membrane perforation during lateral sinus elevation: A retrospective study. Int J Oral Implantol (Berl). 2021; 14(1):77-85.
  20. Basma HS, Geurs NC, Geisinger ML. Choosing the Ideal Implant-Supported Prosthesis for an Edentulous Maxilla: Three Key Prosthetic Parameters. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2022; 43(3): 148-153.
  21. Neumeier TT, Reddy M, Geurs N, Hill J, Neumeier H. Longitudinal Study of Dental Implants in HIV-Positive Patients. J Prosthodont. 2022; 31(2): 115-120.
  22. Souccar NM, Oueis R, Mussleman JP, Geurs NC, Abou Arraj RV. The Impact of Orthodontic Retainers on Gingival Recession: A Best-Evidence Review. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2022; 43(3): 126.
  23. Geisinger ML. Optimizing the Oral Health of Patients Through Risk Assessment and Prevention. Compend Contin Educ Dent 2022; 43(5): 298-299. PMID: 35589149
  24. Geisinger ML, Howard JH, Abou Arraj RV, Kaur M, Basma H, Geurs NC. A prospective, randomized controlled pilot study comparing vestibular incision with sulcular tunnel for root coverage. Int J Periodont Rest Dent 2022; 42(4):e91-e102. PMID: 35830313
  25. Eldridge LA, Estrich CG, Gurenlian JR, Battrell A, Lynch A, Vujicic M, Morrissey R, Dershewitz S, Geisinger ML, Araujo MWB. US Dental Healthcare workers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Dent Assoc 2022; 153(8):740-749. PMID: 35902154 *Selected as Cover Feature**Selected as the Clinical Research Paper of the Year in Dentistry 2022 by Dr. Bicuspid (Cuspie Award)
  26. Geisinger ML, Dershewitz SL. Worried sick: Anxiety, depression, and the impact on dental healthcare workers. J Am Dent Assoc 2022; 153(8): 734-736. PMID: 35902153
  27. Eldridge LA, Estrich C, Gurenlian JR, Battrell A, Lynch A, Vujicic M, Morrissey R, Dershewitz S, Geisinger ML, Araujo MW. United States Dental Health Care Workers’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Dent Hyg 2022; 96(4): 9-11. PMID: 35906080
  28. Geisinger ML, Dershewitz SL. Worried sick: Anxiety, depression, and the impact on dental healthcare workers. J Dent Hyg 2022; 96(4): 6-8. PMID: 35906081
  29. Geisinger ML, Martin KL, Alison JP, Martin KD, Robinson M, Geurs NC. Waistline to gumline: A retrospective analysis of Body Mass Index (BMI) in treated periodontitis patients undergoing periodontal maintenance. Gen Dent 2022; Nov/Dec 70(6): 52-58. PMID: 36288076
  30. Takesh T, Goshtasbi A, Lin K, Yang SM, Wink C, Geisinger ML, Wilder-Smith P. Better Living Through Chemistry? A Randomized, Double-blind Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Plaque Control and Gingival Health Impacts of a Novel Stannous Fluoride-Containing Gel. J Periodontol [EPub Ahead of Print August 22, 2022]. PMID: 35980316
  31. Avila-Ortiz G, Ambruster J, Barootchi S, Chambrone L, Chen CY, Dixon D, Geisinger ML, Giannobile WV, Goss K, Gunsolley JC, Heard RH, Kim D, Mandelaris GA, Monje A, Nevins ML, Palaiologou-Gallis A, Rosen PS, Scheyer ET, Suarez-Lopez del Amo F, Tavelli L, Velasquez D, Wang HL, Mealey BL. American Academy of Periodontology Best Evidence Consensus Statement on the Use of Biologics in Clinical Practice. J Periodontol 2022; 93: 1763-1770.PMID: 36279407
  32. Shah B, Shah M, Meghil M, Saleh MAH, Geisinger ML, Wang HL. The effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on plasma C-reactive protein levels in periodontitis patients. A single arm prospective clinical trial. J Periodontol [EPub Ahead of Print September 2, 2022].
  33. De Souza GM, Tiwari T, Fox C, Miguez PA, Letra A, Geisinger ML, Shaddox L, Ioannidou E. Early Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Researchers’ Perceptions of Productivity, Work-Life Balance and Mental Health Highlights Gender Differences. J Dent Educ [EPub Ahead of Print September 22, 2022] PMID: 36131372
  34. Geisinger ML, Kaur M, Abou Arraj RV, Basma HS, Geurs NC. Clinical Applications of Mucogingival Therapies Utilizing Adjunctive Autologous Blood Products. Clin Adv Periodont 2022; 12: 233-240. PMID: 36134542
  35. Geurs NC, Jeffcoat M, Nipul T, Geisinger ML, Parry S, Biggio J, Doyle MJ, Grender JM, Reddy MS. A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Prenatal Oral Hygiene Education in Pregnancy-Associated Gingivitis. J Midwifery Women’s Health [Accepted for Publication].
  36. Stoll ML, Wang J, Kau CH, Pierce MK, Morrow CD, Geurs NC. Pro-inflammatory oral microbiota in juvenile spondyloarthritis: A pilot study. Children (Basel) 2022; 9(11): 1764.
  37. Basma HS, Saleh MHA, Geurs NC, Li P, Ravida A, Wang HL, Abou-Arraj RV. The effect of bone particle size on the histomorphometric and clinical outcomes following lateral ridge augmentation procedures: A randomized double-blinded controlled trial. J Periodontol 2022; Aug 12 [Online ahead of print]
  38. Basma HS, Saleh MHA, Abou-Arraj RV, Imbrogno M, Ravida A, Wang HL, Geurs N. Patient-reported outcomes of palatal donor site healing using four different wound dressing modalities following free epithelialized mucosal grafts: A four-arm controlled clinical trial. J Periodontol 2023; 94(1): 88-97.
  39. Rodriguez MV, Ravida A, Saleh MHA, Basma HA, Dukka H, Khurshid H, Wang HL, Moreno PG. Is the degree of physiologic remodeling a predictive factor for peri-implantitis? J Periodontol 2022; 93(8): 1273-1282.
  40. Ioannidou E, Geurs N, Lipman R, Araujo MWB, Elkareh J, Engebretson S, Eber R, Oates T, Diaz P, Spino C. Antibiotic prescription patterns among US general dentists and periodontists. J Am Dent Assoc 2022; 153(10): 979-988.
  41. Yang I , Claussen H, Arthur RA, Hertzberg VS, Geurs N, Corwin EJ, Dunlop AL. Subgingival microbiome in pregnancy and a potential relationship to early term birth. Fron Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; May 11: 12: 873683.
• Abstracts
  1. Geisinger ML, Martin KM, Alison JP, Kaur M, Geurs NC. Waistline to gumline: body mass index in treated periodontitis patients. American Association of Dental Research/International Association of Dental Research, Oral Presentation, 2020.
  2. Robinson M, Geurs NC, Geisinger ML. Anyone’s Game: Gamification as a Resident Self-Study Tool. American Dental Education Association, Poster Presentation, 2020.
  3. DeSouza G, Tiwari T, Shaddox L, Letra A, Miguez P, Geisinger M, Ioannidou E. Factors affecting productivity of US researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Association of Dental Research Poster Presentation, 2021.
  4. Liu K, Abou Arraj RV, Geisinger ML, Geurs NC, Javed A, Kaur M, Basma HS. A randomized controlled trial to compare the histomorphometric and clinical outcomes of soft tissue augmentation at the time of lateral ridge augmentation procedures. Southern Academy of Periodontology Annual Meeting 2021 (1st Place Clinical Science Research, Billy M. Pennel Award)
  5. Nasseh P, Englert B, Lawson N, Li P, Liu PR, Geurs NC, Abou-Arraj RV. The Effects of Implantoplasty On Implant Design Characteristics and Mechanical Strength. Academy of Osseointegration Annual Meeting 2022 (Finalist, Oral Scientific Research)
  6. Geisinger ML, Howard JH, Abou Arraj RV, Kaur M, Basma H, Geurs NC. A prospective, randomized controlled trial to compare vestibular incisions subperiosteal access and sulcular tunnel access root coverage procedures to treat gingival recession. EuroPerio 10. Copenhagen 2022.
  7. Liu K, Abou Arraj RV, Geisinger ML, Geurs NC, Javed A, Kaur M, Basma HS. A randomized controlled trial to compare the histomorphometric and clinical outcomes of soft tissue augmentation at the time of lateral ridge augmentation procedures. Academy Osseointegration Meeting 2022 [Best Poster Presentation]
  8. Eldridge L, Estrich CG, Gurenlian JR, Battrell A, Lynch A, Vujicic M, Morrissey R, Dershewitz S, Geisinger ML, Araujo MWB. US Dental Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Symposium on Dental Hygiene 2022 (Dublin, Ireland)

Facilities

Our Graduate Periodontal Clinic is a state-of-the-art facility with five surgical suites and five treatment rooms. We also have a dedicated front desk staff, four skilled dental assistants, and two experienced dental hygienists in a dedicated wellness facility. Digital radiography facilities are in each operatory along with a NOMAD portable radiograph machine for use in nonsurgical and wellness rooms. Both panoramic and CBCT machines are located within the clinical enterprise.

Our Periodontal Research Clinic, located adjacent to the Graduate Periodontal Clinic, has two treatment rooms and one surgical suite as well as a full complement of clinical research materials and storage facilities.

UAB Dentistry is physically connected to both the University Hospital and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. This allows easy passage to these two facilities where important clinical activities of the advanced education program in Periodontology may be undertaken. Other education, recreational, and research facilities at UAB, a major urban university and medical center, are conveniently located and may be utilized by students in the advanced education programs. The more pertinent of these include the Lister Hill Health Science Library, the Animal Service Facilities, the Bevill Biomedical Sciences, and the Shelby Biomedical Research Buildings.