Division of Anatomy


• Metric and non metric dental variations in the human dentition
• Dental and anatomical asymmetry
• Root and canal morphology of the human dentition
• Dental education

Division of Dental Anatomy

• Attachment mechanisms in different kinds of adhesive interfaces in teeth and alveolar bone
• Cementoenamel junction and its clinical significance
• Dental anthropology
• External root resorption of permanent teeth
• Age estimation using dental hard tissues
• Cholinesterase enzymes/cholinergic system in tooth development
• Innervation during tooth development
• School based mouth rinsing programme
• Oral health impact of dental caries

Division of Physiology

• Research on influences of psychosocial factors on acute pain perception and chronic pain conditions and pain memory.
• Salivary gland function
• Dental education

Division of Biochemistry


• Analysis of MMPs in periodontal diseases and oral cancer
• Role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer and other diseases

• Epidemiology of Oral Diseases Social Inadequacies in Oral Health
• Study of Traumatized Anterior Teeth in Children
• Aesthetic Restoration of fractured anterior teeth.
• Oral Hygiene status of Tea Plantation Children
• Study of intra oral soft tissue lesion in Children
• Oral health impact of patients with Amelogenesis Imperfect and early childhood caries
• Conducting Fluoride mouth rinsing programme in primary school children
• Irruption Times of Deciduas and Permanent Dentition in Sri Lankan Children
• pH Metabolism of Dental Plaque and its relationship to Dental Caries
• Prevention and Treatment of Dental Fluorosis
• Assessment of Cepholomatic Norms for the Sri Lankan population
• Assessment of patients compliance with regards to Orthodontics treatment
• Whether short term assessment along with lecture will be effective

Division of Periodontology
Comparison of different periodontal treatment modalities in aggressive and chronic periodontitis.
Periodontal disease presentation and treatment response in smokers and non-smokers.
Association between plasma lipid levels and periodontal disease.
Effectiveness of different designs of interdental toothbrushes in plaque control.

Division of Pharmacology

Our research interests are to see theeffectsof pharmaceutical products on bone formation and resorption. We are mainly looking at how these substances affect the osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Our staff members collaborate with other foreign institutions in carrying out the research work. We are also involved in conducting research in complementary and alternative therapy for small children and looking and the effects of dietary habits on malnutrition in pre-school children.

Numerous research activities are undertaken by the department, focusing on all aspects of diseases which occur in the head and neck region, with emphasis on potentially malignant disorders such as oral submucous fibrosis and malignancies such as oral squamous cell cracinoma. In addition, research activities based on salivary gland disorders and odontogenic tumours are also being carried out. Extensive facilities of the department have paved the way to perform research activities in the fields of histopathology, cytology, molecular biology and immunohistochemistry. Number of international collaborative research activates are in operation at present. Further Department publishes substantial number of research papers nationally, and internationally annually. Presentation of research papers both nationally and internationally is also a very substantial event of the Department every year.

• Efficiency of speech aid prosthesis for patients who have undergone surgical repair of congenital cleft palate and having velopharyngeal insufficiency.
• The emotional effects of tooth loss.
• Patient satisfaction and technical quality of removable partial dentures.
• Patient satisfaction and technical quality of complete dentures.
• Occurrence of dental trauma and awareness of mouth guards among athletes performing contact sports in Sri Lanka.
• Association of Denture induced stomatitis with iron deficiency anaemia and diabetes mellitus.
• Patient satisfaction in complete denture wearers” - on ongoing study.
• Oral health care in gediatric patients.

Many research activities in relation to endodontics, prosthodontics, dental trauma, dental materials is carried out in the department and many of them are published on peer review journals. It is mandatory for all postgraduates to carry out research activities which department encourages and supports.