Yonsei University College of Dentistry—#1 in Global Rankings for 3 Years Straight!
Yonsei University College of Dentistry (YUCD) has once again ranked first in Korea and 31st globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings for Dentistry. This marks the third consecutive year that YUCD topped the rankings in Korea.
The QS World University Rankings for Dentistry are determined using four key metrics, each weighted differently to calculate the final score: ▲Academic reputation (30%), ▲Employer reputation (10%), ▲Citations per paper (30%), ▲H-index (30%). YUCD achieved an 86.8 out of 100 for Citations per paper, reflecting the high impact and quality of the university’s research. Additionally, it scored 79.6 out of 100 for the H-index, which measures the consistency and influence of the institution’s published work.
Since 1915, when Dr. Scheifley, an American missionary, introduced Western dental medicine at Severance Union Medical School, Yonsei University College of Dentistry has been dedicated to advancing research, education, and development. As it celebrates its 110th anniversary in 2025, the college is committed to leveraging this synergy to establish itself as one of the world's top 10 dental schools in the future.
YUCD Hosts Winter Faculty Seminar in Preparation for Its 110th Anniversary
YUCD held its Winter Faculty Seminar on the ‘Future of Yonsei University College of Dentistry’s 110th Anniversary’ on January 11th, with over 80 faculty members in attendance. Dean Young-Soo Jung delivered a welcome address and announced plans for the 110th Anniversary Celebration of Yonsei Dental Medicine, along with a fundraising campaign to support the college’s future growth.
Professor Won-Ho Kim, Professor Emeritus at Yonsei University College of Medicine, delivered a keynote presentation titled ‘Fundraising Know-How: To Whom and How?’, where he shared strategies, case studies, and practical solutions for securing future development funds for the College of Dentistry. His insights on the challenges and strategies for the college received enthusiastic responses from attendees.
The seminar continued with discussions on global branding strategies. Dean Jung emphasized the importance of innovation and adaptability for sustainable growth and future advancement as YUCD celebrates its 110-year legacy.
YUCD Faculty Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to Science and Medicine
Professor Jae-Kook Cha from the Department of Periodontology has been elected as a member of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology’s Young Academy (Y-KAST) Medical and Pharmaceutical Division. Among three scholars selected this year, he is the only representative from dentistry and the fourth dental scholar ever elected. Y-KAST recognizes top researchers under 43 who contribute significantly to Korea’s scientific and technological advancement.
Professor Cha has made notable contributions to periodontal tissue regeneration using biomaterials. His recent research on spatiotemporal release control of growth factors was published in ‘Nano Today’, while his study on a microbial homeostasis-shielding membrane appeared in ‘Nature Communications.’ Over the past five years, he has published 50+ SCIE papers, many through international collaborations with Zurich, Madrid, and Harvard.
Additionally, Professor Emeritus Kwang-Man Kim from the Department of Dental Biomaterials & Bioengineering and Professor Hee-Jin Kim from the Department of Oral Biology have been elected as new regular members of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS) for 2025.
Founded in 2004, KAMS is Korea’s most prestigious academic organization in basic and clinical medical sciences, selecting scholars with outstanding research achievements in these fields. With their election, Yonsei University strengthens its position as a leader in academic and research excellence.
1. Hyaluronic acid-based minocycline-loaded dissolving microneedle: Innovation in local minocycline delivery for periodontitis
In the treatment of periodontitis, inhibiting pathogen activity through pharmacological therapy is as important as mechanical plaque removal. Recently, local antibiotic agents, topical ointments delivered by disposable syringe, have been widely used. However, due to the method of application, where the ointment is applied through the entrance of the periodontal pocket, the medication could be washed away by saliva before penetrating the pocket epithelium and connective tissue. This limitation has raised concerns that the drug might not reach its intended target effectively. To overcome this issue, Professor Ui-Won Jung’s research team collaborated with Professor Hyungil Jung’s team from the Department of Biotechnology, which possesses expertise in microneedle fabrication technology, to develop a microneedle patch loaded with minocycline. This study experimentally confirmed the antimicrobial efficacy of the hyaluronic acid-based minocycline-loaded dissolving microneedle patch (HAM-DMN) at both the laboratory and preclinical levels. Additionally, this research reported a novel technology that enables the incorporation of light-sensitive minocycline into the microneedle patch under a light-blocking environment while maintaining its activity until application in the oral cavity. These findings suggest that HAM-DMN may serve as a minimally invasive and highly efficient drug delivery method for treating bacterial oral diseases such as periodontitis. The research was published in the SCI journal, Carbohydrate Polymers (impact factor: 10.7), in February 2024.
Ui-Won Jung, Professor, Department of Periodontology, Research Institute for Periodontal Regeneration, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Hyungil Jung, Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University College of Life Science and Biotechnology
Abstract
Periodontitis is a prevalent inflammatory disease that affects tooth-supporting tissues and is induced by complex polymicrobial dental plaques. Prior treatments, including topical antibiotic ointments, have faced difficulties in tissue permeability issues. Although dissolving microneedle (DMN) has been proposed as a painless and highly efficient transdermal drug delivery system to resolve this challenge, minocycline, widely used for the treatment of periodontitis, is light-sensitive, making it challenging to maintain its stability using conventional fabrication methods. Our hyaluronic acid-based minocycline-loaded dissolving microneedle (HAM-DMN) was designed utilizing an innovative light-blocking strategy, preserving 94.4 % of minocycline's stability, as confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. HAM-DMNs demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy in in vitro zone of inhibition tests with Streptococcus mutans strains and provided enhanced local delivery of minocycline to porcine oral gingival mucosa at concentrations 6.1 times higher than those of commercial ointments. In vivo studies in periodontitis-induced rat models showed that HAM-DMNs reduced levels of junctional epithelium more effectively than control and blank DMN groups, indicating enhanced treatment efficacy. HAM-DMN is a novel local delivery system developed to overcome the limitations of systemic delivery and conventional topical treatment. We suggest that HAM-DMNs can replace injections for the treatment of intraoral mucosal and systemic diseases.
2. Integrating Phosphate Enhances Biomineralization Effect of Methacrylate Cement in Vital Pulp Treatment with Improved Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Stimulation
Vital pulp treatment is essential for preserving the health and functionality of teeth affected by deep dental caries. The effectiveness of pulp treatment depends significantly on the type of dental cement used, which must provide a reliable seal against bacterial entry, sufficient strength to withstand chewing forces, and excellent compatibility with the pulp tissue. Conventional calcium hydroxide-based cement degrades over time, reducing its sealing effectiveness and mechanical properties. To overcome these challenges, Yonsei University College of Dentistry researchers have developed an innovative dental cement called phosphate-based glass-integrated methyl methacrylate-based cement (PIMC).
PIMC is a resin-glass composite made from methyl methacrylate and phosphate-based glass. It is designed to deliver excellent sealing capabilities, robust mechanical strength, and sustained release of calcium and phosphate ions, thereby supporting pulp tissue regeneration. In laboratory conditions mimicking the oral environment, PIMC achieved a compressive strength of over 60 MPa, demonstrating its ability to withstand typical chewing forces. Furthermore, PIMC significantly increased the expression of proteins essential for dentin regeneration and effectively promoted mineralized tissue formation in animal studies without causing inflammatory reactions.
Due to its strong mechanical performance, bioactive properties, and regenerative potential, PIMC marks a substantial advancement in dental materials to improve outcomes in vital pulp therapy. This pioneering research was published in the prestigious journal Advanced Healthcare Materials (Impact Factor: 10.0) in December 2024.
Jeong-Hyun Ryu, Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Craniofacial Deformity, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Utkarsh Mangal, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Jae-Sung Kwon, Assistant Professor, Department and Research Institute of Dental Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Dohyun Kim, Associate Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Oral Science Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Sung-Hwan Choi, Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Craniofacial Deformity, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Abstract
Vital pulp treatment (VPT) is crucial for preserving the health and function of the tooth in cases where the pulp tissue remains vital despite exposure. Various materials are introduced for this purpose. However, challenges such as low strength, high solubility, and tooth discoloration persist. Methylmethacrylate-based cement (MC) offers excellent sealing ability, feasibility, and mechanical properties, making it a promising alternative for VPT. Phosphate-based glass (PBG) has the potential to promote hard tissue regeneration by releasing key inducers, phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca), for reparative odontogenesis. This study investigates PBG-integrated MC (PIMC) by characterizing its properties, assessing human dental pulp stem cell activity related to initial inflammatory adaptation and odontogenic differentiation, and evaluating hard tissue formation using an in vivo dog pulpotomy model. Results indicate that a 5% PBG-integrated MC (5PIMC) maintains the physicochemical properties of MC. Furthermore, 5PIMC demonstrates cytocompatibility, excellent expression of osteo/odontogenic markers, and resistance to inflammatory markers, significantly outperforming MC. Enhanced hard tissue formation is observed in the dental pulp of mongrel dog teeth treated with 5PIMC. These findings suggest that 5PIMC could be an optimal and suitable material for reparative odontogenesis through VPT.
3. Wide Restorative Emergence Angle Increases Marginal Bone Loss and Impairs Integrity of the Junctional Epithelium of the Implant Supracrestal Complex: A Preclinical Study
Emergence Profile: A Key Factor in Peri-Implant Health
The morphology of implant-supported prostheses has recently gained significant attention among clinicians as a potential factor contributing to peri-implantitis. Among various considerations, the emergence profile—the angle at which the restoration transitions from the implant platform—has been implicated in peri-implant mucositis and marginal bone loss. While retrospective studies have suggested that a steep emergence profile may exacerbate these complications, no previous study has thoroughly investigated this phenomenon using radiographic and histologic analyses in an animal model.
This study is the first to provide detailed radiographic and histologic evidence demonstrating that an emergence profile exceeding 60 degrees leads to significant marginal bone loss. Furthermore, the research team identified impaired integrity of the junctional epithelium as a key contributing factor to this bone resorption. These findings underscore the importance of prosthetic design in maintaining peri-implant tissue health and highlight the need for careful consideration of emergence profile parameters during implant treatment planning.
Jin-Young Park, Clinical Aassistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Jae-Kook Cha, Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Abstract
Aim: To assess the influence of the emergence angle on marginal bone loss (MBL) and supracrestal soft tissue around dental implants.
Materials and Methods: In six mongrel dogs, the mandibular premolars and molars were extracted. After 3 months of healing, four dental implants were placed in each hemimandible. The implants were randomly allocated to receive one of four customized healing abutments, each with a different value of the restorative emergence angle: 20°, 40°, 60° or 80°. Intra-oral radiographs were taken after placing the healing abutments and at 6, 9, 16 and 24 weeks of follow-up. Then, micro-CT and undecalcified histology and synchrotron were performed. MBL over time was analysed with generalized estimating equations (GEEs) and adjusted for baseline soft-tissue thickness.
Results: From implant placement to 24 weeks, GEE modelling showed that the MBL at mesial and distal sites consistently increased over time, indicating MBL in all groups (p < 0.001). The model indicated that MBL varied significantly across the different restorative angles (angle effect, p < 0.001), with 80° showing the greatest bone loss. Micro-CT, histology and synchrotron confirmed the corresponding trends and showed that wide restorative angles (60° and 80°) impaired the integrity of the junctional epithelium of the supracrestal tissue.
Conclusions: A wide restorative angle increases MBL and impairs the integrity of the junctional epithelium of the implant supracrestal complex.
4. Accuracy of 3-dimensional surgical guide for endodontic microsurgery with a new design concept: A cadaver study
Despite the high success rate of Endodontic Microsurgery (EMS), it is difficult to suggest EMS as a general treatment option due to the complexity of the procedure. To address this issue, the use of a surgical guide has been proposed. Professor Kim, Euiseong's research team designed a guide that, unlike conventional guides, fits closely to the alveolar bone and allows for both osteotomy and root resection to be performed simultaneously and reported on the safety and accuracy of this guide. The results of this study show that the newly designed surgical guide can be applied more stably in clinical practice compared to performing the procedure without a guide, and it allows for a more accurate and simpler procedure. This has laid the foundation for more dentists to perform endodontic microsurgery. This study was published in the renowned journal recognized by the field of endodontic “International Endodontic Journal(impact factor 5.4)” in February 2025.
Ha, Se-Won, PhD Student, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Stephanie M Choi, Adjunct Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Kim, Sunil, Associate Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Song, Minju, Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry, National Health Insurance Service Ilsann Hospital
Hu, Kyung-Seok, Professor, Department of Oral Biology, Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Kim, Euiseong, Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Abstract
Aim: Despite the high success rate of endodontic microsurgery (EMS), it is difficult to suggest EMS as a general treatment option considering the difficulty of the procedure. A surgical guide has been proposed to overcome this problem. This study aimed to evaluate the stability of the surgical guide of a new design concept, as well as the accuracy of root resection, and to introduce the manufacturing method of the newly designed surgical guide.
Methodology: The experiment was conducted on 59 roots (9 in the maxillary and 50 in the mandibular region) of adult human cadavers. The surgical guide was designed using CAD/CAM design software based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and optical scan files. Unlike conventional surgical guides, the surgical guide proposed herein was designed to act as a tooth-bone-supported removable appliance. Two different types of guides were prepared: the osteotomy guide (O guide) for separation of the cortical bone above the root tip with a trephine bur with an outer diameter of 6 mm and the root resection guide (R guide) for resection of the root tip with a trephine bur with an outer diameter of 4 mm. For stability evaluation, the guides were pressed at five predetermined locations after installation and checked for the presence of any movement. For accuracy evaluation, the length at which the root tip was cut was measured and examined by overlapping the preoperative and postoperative CBCT images.
Results: Of the 15 R guides, 14 were stably installed without mobility. For the R guide group, the root tip was resected with an average of 3.2 mm, showing better results than the no-guide group with an average of 4.0 mm.
Conclusions: The newly designed surgical guide of this study can be applied more stably, enabling root resection to be performed more accurately and simply according to the preoperative plan than when performed without a guide.
5. Anti-cariogenic effect of experimental resin cement containing ursolic acid using dental microcosm biofilm
One of the major issues in dental resin cement is the occurrence of secondary caries. Professor Jeong-Won Park’s research team evaluated whether experimental resin cement containing ursolic acid (UA) exhibits anti-cariogenic effects in a dental microcosm biofilm model. Through micro-CT and quantitative fluorescence analysis (QLF), they confirmed that resin cement containing at least 1.0% UA effectively reduced demineralization around the restoration margins. This study suggests that resin cement containing ursolic acid has the potential to prevent secondary caries around restoration and this can increase the longevity of the restoration. The study was published in the international journal of dental science ‘Journal of Dentistry’ in 2024.
Jonghyun Jo, Master's Student, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Gangnam Severance hospital, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Mi-Jeong Jeon, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Gangnam Severance hospital, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Sun Kyu Park, Researcher, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Gangnam Severance hospital, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Su-Jung Shin, Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Gangnam Severance hospital, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Baek-il Kim, Professor, Department of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 PLUS project, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Jeong-Won Park, Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Gangnam Severance hospital, Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the anticariogenic effects of resin cement containing varying ursolic acid (UA) concentrations and to determine the optimal UA concentrations in the microcosm biofilm model.
Materials and methods: Experimental resin cements with UA concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt% were prepared. Class I cavities were prepared on 50 extracted human molars and restored with composite inlays and experimental resin cements. Tooth samples were subjected to artificial caries induction for 10 days in a microcosm biofilm model using human saliva as an inoculum, and then mineral changes were evaluated using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (ΔF and ΔQ) and micro-computed tomography (CT). The bacterial composition of the human saliva was analyzed by 16 s RNA microbiome profiling. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey and Duncan post-hoc tests was employed for statistical analysis (p < 0.05).
Results: As the UA concentration increased, resin cement decreased ΔF and ΔQ before and after caries induction but showed a significant difference only in ΔQ at UA concentration ≥ 1.0 % (p < 0.05). The gray value analysis result of micro CT also showed a significant difference at UA concentration ≥ 1.0 % (p < 0.05). In the human saliva analysis, bacterial composition remained within normal oral microbiota ranges.
Conclusion: Resin cements containing at least 1.0 % of UA exhibited an anticariogenic effect on dental microcosm biofilms.
Clinical relevance: To reduce the failure of restorations, it is essential to prevent the occurrence of secondary caries. The application of UA in resin cement can be utilized to prevent the formation of secondary caries due to the anticariogenic effect of UA.
크레딧:
Yonsei University College of Dentistry