Shane N. White Lab

Dr. White's research interests broadly include dental biological materials; genetic-structural relationships in tooth enamel; and clinical outcomes.

Much of the rationale and evidence for moving from water-based cements to resinous cements emerged from our lab. Failure mechanisms and failure modes of artificial dental ceramics were studied and appliesd to clinical usage of both dental porcelains and tough industrial ceramics such as zirconia. Artificial materials studied include those for endodontic root-end filling and repair, sealers, cements, ceramics, composites and even denture resins. But, these are no match for the natural materials like enamel, dentin, cementum, and bone.

Dental enamel studies have seeked to link the flow from genes, their expressed proteins, resultant matrices, through biomineralization to biomechanical function. Key enamel genes have been studied. Two different transgenic animals were engineered to produce enamel harder than the natural wildtype! This work has evolved to include environmental impacts of tooth formation and on tooth degradation. It has included using tooth enamel as a biomarker for childhood psychosocial stressors. Recently, we have worked to better understand the carious process using SAXS, small angle X-ray scattering.

Clinical dental expertise in prosthodontics and endodontics has enabled clinical trials and interdisciplinary approaches to the systematic review of clinical outcomes – particularly patient-based outcomes. I have extensive research experience in dental imaging, mechanical testing, dental materials, bone & tooth structure, particularly enamel, and dental implants. I have conducted many clinical trials, including novel in-vivo and in-vitro imaging technologies.