Martin A. Freilich, D.D.S.

Research Group Interests

Our fundamental interests are to: 1) study the relationship between systemic bone health and the augmentation of bone volume in the jaws at potential dental implant sites; and 2) research new methods to optimize bone volume augmentation in both vertical and horizontal dimensions without the need for autogenous bone grafting procedures. There are currently two active projects.

Implant Guided Bone Growth Mediated by Local Delivery of Osteogenic Agents
The purpose of this research is to develop low morbidity implant guided bone augmentation procedures for the reconstruction of the resorbed alveolar ridge. This work is done in collaboration with Dr. Liisa Kuhn, Dr. David Shafer, Dr. Robert Kelly and Dr. Mei Wei. Our goals are to deliver locally acting osteogenic agents from bioactive implant surfaces or scaffolds to guide new supracrestal alveolar bone formation at resorbed sites. Towards this end, we have recently developed novel study models utilizing both miniaturized and full sized titanium implant components to deliver osteogenic agents or stabilize scaffolds for guiding the growth of a new layer of intramembraneous bone.

Osteoporosis and Bone Augmentation/Implant Outcomes: An Observational Study
This clinical study looks at possible associations between measures of bone health and the integration of new bone from bone augmentation procedures used in standard practice. The specific objective of this study is to utilize a clinical study model to collect descriptive data. These data will support the development of future studies that will test the association between specific measures of bone health (including bone mineral density, biochemical markers of bone turnover) and the clinical success of newly developed bone augmentation procedures. Our multidisciplinary research group possesses expertise in epidemiology, behavioral science, radiography, implant surgery, prosthodontics, endocrinology/bone biology and medical treatment of osteoporosis.

Recent Publications

Freilich, M.A.; Meiers, J.C.; Duncan, J.P.; Eckrote, K.A.; and Goldberg, A.J.: 2002. Clinical evaluation of fiber-reinforced fixed bridges. JADA 133:1524-1534.

Freilich, M.A.; Duncan, J.P.; Alarcon, E.K.; Eckrote, K.A.; and Goldberg, A.J. 2002.: The design and fabrication of fiber-reinforced implant prostheses. J. Prosth. Dent. 88:449-454.

Eckrote, K.A.; Burstone, C.J.; Freilich, M.A.; Messer, G.E.; and Goldberg, A.J. 2003.: Shear in flexure of fiber composites with different end supports. J. Dent. Res. 82:262-266.

Freilich, M.A., Wei, M., Iddir,S., Kuhn, L.T. and Shafer, D.M. Improvement of Alveolar Bone Height Using Novel Graft Placement.: 2005 Key Eng. Mater. Bioceramics. 17, 284-286, 889-892.

Schleier P., Wolf, C., Siebert, H., Shafer, D., Freilich M., Berndt, A. and Schumann, D.: 2007 Treatment options in distraction osteogenesis therapy using a new bidirectional distractor system. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. May-Jun; 22(3):408-16.

Erdogan, O., Shafer, D., Taxel P. and Freilich M.: 2007 A review of the association between osteoporosis and alveolar ridge augmentation. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. Jul 24; [Epub ahead of print].

Freilich, M.A., Patel, C., Wei, M., Shafer, D., Schleier, P., Hortschansky, P. ,Kompali, R., Kuhn, L.T.: Growth of a new layer of bone guided by implants in a novel murine calvaria model. Bone, submitted.

Schleier, P., Bierfreund, G., Schultze-Mosgau, S., Moldenhauer, F., Küpper, H., Freilich, M.A. Simultaneous dental implant placement and endoscope guided internal sinus floor elevation: Two-year post loading outcomes. Clinical Oral Implants Research, submitted.

Freilich, M.A., Shafer, D.M, Wei, M., Kompalli, R., Adams, D.J. and Kuhn, L.T. Implant construct for guiding a new layer of bone tissue: Computed microtomography and histomorphometric analysis in the rabbit mandible. Clinical Oral Implants Research, submitted.

View more publications, see Pubmed listing.