Laboratory of oral medicine and oral diagnosis is performing various studies on diagnosis and treatment of pain disorders, oral mucosa disease, and diseases associated with saliva, and salivary gland occurring in oral and maxillofacial region including temporomandibular disorders.

Study on temporomandibular disorder and orofacial pains
Among chronic pain disorders that appear in the oral and maxillofacial region, temporomandibular disorders including temporomandibular joint and muscular disorders. Various neuropathic pains, atypical facial pains and toothaches are included. This laboratory is performing research to develop various measures for evaluation of interactions and pains of all factors affecting pain recognition by identifying topical, systemic and psychological factors of chronic pains. We are performing studies on physiology of pains of muscles including electrophysiological characteristics of myofascial trigger points, mechanisms and clinical characteristics of neuropathic pains appearing in oral and maxillofacial areas, international cooperative studies using standards for diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders, and studies on oral mucous membrane pains like burning mouth syndrome. In particular, we are conducting the study on systematic and effective diagnosis and treatments of orofacial pain including temporomandibular disorders on the basis of clinical data obtained from laboratory of maxillofacial pain in the Department of oral internal medicine in School of dentistry of Seoul National University.

Study on diseases related to oral mucosa membrane, saliva and salivary glands
We are performing the studies to effectively diagnose and treat various inflammatory and infectious mucosal diseases made by topical and systemic causes occurring in the oral. We are performing research and development of techniques for treatments of diseases related to oral mucosa membrane and salivary gland functional disorders such as xerostomia, candidiasis, oral ulcers, burning mouth syndrome, taste disorders, rampant caries, periodontal diseases and halitosis with the advent of aging society through the studies on saliva which plays an important role to maintain respiratory functions in the oral and upper part. We make efforts to develop the materials for artificial saliva and oral anti-microbial agents. In particular, as halitosis is the oral symptom significantly affecting physical and social/ psychological life of modern people, we are performing in-depth research for effective diagnosis and management.

Study on diseases related to sleep disordered breathing
We are performing studies on diagnosis of patients with sleep disordered breathing such as snoring and sleep apena, causes and pathophysiological mechanisms and development of effective treatments. In particular, sleep disordered breathing is associated with abnormality of structures of a maxillary bone, size and stiffness of the upper respiratory tract, and regulation of nerves in relevant muscles. This laboratory is performing the studies using a polysomnography for multifaceted and systematic studies of sleep disordered breathing. We are performing the development of new oral appliance for more effective treatments.

Study on forensic dentistry
We are developing the evaluation and diagnosis related to forensic dentistry in order to maintain the order of the society and fairly treat the legal issues by establishing systematic measures and preventions about medical disputes occurring after the treatment by studying legal and social issues related to dental care. In particular, we are performing the studies on changes in facial restoration, teeth attrition, secondary dentin, periodontal tissues, transparency of teeth, tooth roots and cementum by aging.