Department of Periodontics

The Department of Periodontics at Texas A&M University School of Dentistry provides instruction in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth to dental and dental hygiene students and postdoctoral/graduate students.

Departmental faculty provide students with the knowledge and clinical skills to diagnose and treat patients with periodontal disease. This is accomplished through didactic and pre-clinical instruction, followed by clinical treatment of a diverse patient population with gingivitis and chronic periodontitis.

Areas of Instruction

  • Periodontal anatomy

  • Etiology – pathogenesis and host-response in periodontal disease

  • Periodontal diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis

  • Periodontal instrumentation

  • Periodontal surgical techniques

  • Clinical crown lengthening

  • Periodontal medicine

  • Periodontal maintenance

  • Referral of patients to the periodontal specialist

Advanced Training

The Advanced Training Program in Periodontics was started in 1955 and accounts for many specialty leaders among alumni. Graduate students who successfully complete the three-year curriculum and defend a master’s research project, including a successful defense, are awarded a Certificate in Periodontics and an MS in Oral Biology.

Department Centers

The Department of Periodontics hosts not only undergraduate and graduate programs, but is also a participant in international programs with South Korea and Mexico. The International Program offers one-year international fellowships for visiting clinical scholars to observe clinical and didactic procedures and processes in periodontics.

The Clinical Center for Stomatology provides a world-class opportunity for the study and management of a diverse group of stomatological disorders, including salivary dysfunction, lichen planus, and other malfunctions of the oral mucosa.

Current programs focus on periodontal development and regeneration and are funded by the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research. Clinical and translational programs focus on minimally invasive surgery, peri-implantitis, and alveolar ridge augmentation.

Other areas of research focus on periodontal evolution, tooth enamel, and temporo-mandibular joint disorders.

Department Affiliations

The department is affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center, which is part of Baylor Scott & White Health. Dermatology Residents rotate through the Stomatology Center as a part of their training. Departmental faculty engage in funded research programs, primarily in areas of salivary dysfunction, stomatology, periodontics, and dental implants.

Abraham, Celeste M, Clinical Associate Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Howard University, 1988

Chang, Nai-wen, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Taipei Medical University, 2014

Crump, Thomas B, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1997

Ezzo, Paul J, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
PHD, Baylor College of Dentistry, 2000
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1983

Harrel, Stephen K, Visiting Clinical Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1972

Hegde, Rashmi, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Bangalore University, India, 1999

Kapoor, Rishika, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Texas A&M University, 2014

Kormas, Ioannis, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2013

Lin, Ju Ying, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, National Yang-Ming University, 2005

Parra Carrasquer, Carlos, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 2009

Plemons, Jacqueline M, Clinical Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1986

Pylant, George, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1988

Regan, Deborah, Clinical Associate Professor
Periodontics
DDS, University of Dublin Trinity College, 1982

Seifikar, Shahrooz, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Texas A&M, 2006

Tunnell, John, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 2016
GR1, Texas A&M University/Baylor College of Dentistry, 2016
DDS, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2013

Wang, Ying, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Kyushu University, 2014