01/06/2025
Congratulations to our members Dr Chloe Chan and A/Prof Kelvin Foong on their impressive publication in a Q1 journal Computers in Biology and Medicine (IF 7.0), in collaboration with NUS School of Computing. The paper investigates how root length relates to root surface area in permanent maxillary and mandibular teeth, with a goal to understanding how root shortening, such as that caused by external apical root resorption, affects the remaining root surface area.
For dentists, the lesson is that root length loss does not result in an equivalent loss of root surface area. The root’s cross-sectional area, a function of the width of the root, is an important consideration for understanding the impact of the remaining root surface area on the long-term stability of the tooth. Data from this research provide dentists with useful anatomic information to make clinical decisions to care for teeth affected by root length reduction.
For patients, the key takeaway is this: maintaining good gum health is essential. Healthy gums help preserve root support, even if some root length is lost during treatment. This simple, preventative step can make a meaningful difference in long-term tooth stability.
Our heartiest congratulations to the study team on this outstanding achievement!
