Takahiro Ogawa, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Dr. Takahiro Ogawa is widely recognized as an expert in designing and creating novel titanium and zirconia surfaces, implant biologic research, nanotechnology, and photoenergy-mediated activation of implant materials, known as UV-photofunctionalization. Dr. Ogawa is a Professor in the Division of Regenerative and Reconstructive Sciences and Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology at UCLA School of Dentistry and a leader of Team Surface. He has published 220+ papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals with a total impact factor of 1,000+, total citations of 13,000+, and h-index 65. He is ranked world top 1% scientist across the fields in the Stanford World Scientist Ranking. He spoke over 190 times in the invited lectures and symposia worldwide. Dr Ogawa and his team received over 80 scientific awards from the national and international meetings and societies. Dr Ogawa is a recipient of IADR/AADR William J. Gies Award, American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) Clinician/Researcher Award, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) Ralph V. McKinney, Jr Award, and Academy of Osseointegration (AO) William R. Laney Award, and IADR Distinguished Scientist Award. He is a former president of IADR Prosthodontic Group.

Additional Information

Courses Taught

• Course Co-Chair RFE219 Removable Partial Denture I
• Course Co-Chair RFE220 Removable Partial Denture II
• Course Co-Chair RFE221 Immediate Denture
• Course Chair RFE210 Clinical Occlusion
• Prosthodontics Consults Instructor
• Prosthodontics Clinic Instructor
• Bench instructor AS119 Removable Partial Denture
• Course Chair OB265A Fundamentals for Dental Research
• Course Chair DS300.17 Research Fundamentals for Dental Residents
• Provides research mentorship and supervision to interdisciplinary dental residents

Patient Care Activities

• UCLA Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic

Research and Interests

Dr. Takahiro Ogawa’s research spans a broad and dynamic spectrum in biomaterials science and bone biology, with a particular focus on the biological and physicochemical interactions at the bone–titanium interface. His work includes pioneering studies on the genetic profiling of osseointegration, advanced surface science and engineering of titanium implants, and nano-scale design and functionalization of biomaterials. He has also contributed to the understanding and manipulation of redox-active biomaterials, including detoxification and bioactivation strategies for oxidant-generating surfaces.

Among his notable innovations is the development of Enhanced Dual-Geometric Engineering for the 22nd Century (EDGE 22)—a next-generation titanium surface design that integrates multi-scale topographies to significantly enhance and accelerate bone integration. This surface technology is directly applicable to commercial dental implants and represents a paradigm shift in implant surface engineering.

Dr. Ogawa also led the discovery and development of photofunctionalization, a UV-based surface treatment that dramatically improves the biological performance of titanium implants. This technology redefines the concept of peri-implant healing through the induction of super-osseointegration, a state of enhanced bone formation and interfacial bonding. Furthermore, his research into the biological aging of titanium surfaces has introduced new perspectives on time-dependent degradation in implant performance, influencing both basic science and clinical protocols in dentistry and orthopedics.

Dr. Ogawa’s work continues to shape the future of implantology by integrating molecular biology, surface engineering, and clinical innovation. His recent publications highlight major advances in implant science and regenerative dentistry, including:

• A novel conceptual framework for osseointegration, Ogawa’s 3D Theory
• The application of nanotechnology in dental implants
• An updated perspective on photofunctionalization of dental implants
• A next-generation strategy for osseointegration incorporating energy-driven and time-sensitive mechanisms

These contributions exemplify Dr. Ogawa’s commitment to translating cutting-edge science into transformative clinical solutions.