Development of digital workflows for the management of severe erosive toothwear

One fully funded Frederick E Hopper full-time PhD scholarship is available in the School of Dentistry for a start in October 2025. The scholarship will cover UK tuition fees and attract a stipend matching the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25), subject to satisfactory progress.<br /> The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree at the School of Dentistry. This project would suit a student with a background in any of the following subjects; Dentistry, Material Science, Biomedical Engineering.

<p class="paragraph">Tooth wear is a growing issue globally, affecting various age groups. In the UK, 2% of adults have severe tooth wear, defined as losing more than 50% of tooth structure. Erosive wear in children and adolescents is at 30.4% (Salas, 2020). Modern factors such as acidic diets and stress-related bruxism have worsened the issue, leading to pain, hypersensitivity, reduced chewing ability, and aesthetic concerns, significantly impacting patients' quality of life (Mehta et al., 2020).</p> <p class="paragraph">Managing severe cases involves complex treatments using both direct and indirect restorative materials like resin composites and ceramics. Treatments are extensive, requiring months of planning, lab work, and clinical sessions. The cost of treating severe cases was estimated at £13,353 (O’Toole et al., 2018). While direct composite materials are popular for being minimally invasive, they require regular maintenance and have a limited survival rate of 5-7 years (Kassardjian, 2020).</p> <p class="paragraph">Indirect digital workflows and CAD/CAM resin composites offer a promising alternative. These materials are more durable, requiring less removal of healthy tooth structure, and can potentially simplify treatment. However, research on the use of CAD/CAM composites for severe tooth wear is still limited. Exploring the potential of those materials could provide a more efficient, cost-effective, simplified and predictable digital workflow for severe tooth wear patients improving clinical outcomes and long-term longevity.</p> <h5 class="paragraph">Aims & Objectives</h5> <ol> <li>To develop 3D digital planning workflow alternative to conventional analogue techniques for severe tooth wear patients  </li> </ol> <ol start="2"> <li>To investigate the mechanical performance of ‘digital’ materials adhesively bonded to severely worn teeth. </li> </ol> <ol start="3"> <li>To investigate the most optimum clinical workflow for predictable long term outcomes </li> </ol> <p>This project will be focused in the field of Dental Materials and Digital Dentistry with emphasis on clinical solutions in Prosthodontics. We have recently acquired wear testing and simulation facilities and we aim to expand this research field and attract suitable candidates to join our research team establishing Leeds at the forefront of research in this field. </p> <h5>References</h5> <p>Salas, M.M.S., Nascimento, G.G., Huysmans, M.C. and Demarco, F.F. 2015. Estimated prevalence of erosive tooth wear in permanent teeth of children and adolescents: An epidemiological systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Journal of Dentistry. 43(1), pp.42–50. <br /> Mehta, S.B., Loomans, B.A., Bronkhorst, E.M., Banerji, S. and Bartlett, D. 2020. A study to investigate habits with tooth wear assessments among UK and non-UK dental practitioners. British Dental Journal. 228(6), pp.429–434. <br /> O’Toole, S., Pennington, M., Varma, S. and Bartlett, D.W. 2018. The treatment need and associated cost of erosive tooth wear rehabilitation – a service evaluation within an NHS Dental Hospital. British Dental Journal. 224(12), pp.957–961. <br />  V. Kassardjian, M. Andiappan, N.H.J. Creugers, D. Bartlett. A systematic review of interventions after restoring the occluding surfaces of anterior and posterior teeth that are affected by tooth wear with filled resin composites <br /> J Dent, 99 (2020), Article 103388 </p> <h5>Other Conditions</h5> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2025.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px">To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees/doc/how-to-apply">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application. </p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study</li> <li>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for a Frederick E Hopper Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Dentistry should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential.

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Dentistry is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Dentistry for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant matching the UKRI stipend rate (£19,237 for 2024/25) and UK tuition fees for three years, subject to satisfactory progress. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. This is one of seven available projects being advertised for the one successful candidate for this scholarship. </p>

<p>For further information please contact the Faculty PGR Admissions Team<br /> e: <a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p>