NSU CDM Lasting Impressions Spring 2019

38 | COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE RESEARCH Impressions RESEARCH IMPRESSIONS For Sibel Antonson, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.B.A., “research is an exciting whirl of” what she calls “ever-changing, constant discoveries.” As a faculty member and as director of clinical research for the CDM’s Department of Cariology and Restorative Dentistry, she’s quick to say that, in the course of her days, nothing is ever the same twice. It’s the nature of what she does, and “it’s what stirs fires within me,” she said. “Typically, researchers concentrate their efforts on one topic; I’m the total opposite,” she explained. “What I do requires me to be wider in my scope of topics.” This is the reflection of her being a prosthodontist, teaching postgraduate clinical dentistry, and having basic research skills and experience. It is as perfect a fit as she can imagine. “I’m involved in dental biomaterials, and I’m also a clinical faculty member, so I am in the clinic teaching comprehensive clinical dentistry,” Antonson said. “But in the meantime, I return to the basic science labora- tory leading our projects. It is continuous discovery.” She provided examples that show the range. “Cur- rently, we are working on a dynamic thermal character- ization of esthetic dental materials during light curing, as well as comparative properties, safety, and effective- ness of a handheld X-ray unit. Another project I am involved with relates to bonding and composites with new-generation materials,” she said. “Furthermore, I am investigating different fluoride varnishes regarding their effectiveness, as well as properties of all-ceramics, including zirconia,” she added. “They all couldn’t be further from each other in terms of categories of research.” However, all these are reflective of her current clinical experiences and challenges. She is constantly seeking better ways to improve quality of patient care. WHERE CURIOSITY LEADS What brought Antonson to the United States in 1996 was her curiosity and the opportunity to reach across many areas. She was invited to the United States by her mentor, Kenneth Anusavice, Ph.D., D.M.D., who worked at the University of Florida (UF) College of Dentistry’s Department of Dental Biomaterials. That year, Anusavice established UF’s Center for Dental Biomaterials, where the emphasis was on maintaining and restoring oral health for patients through materials science study and interactions. “At the time, it was the international center of excel- lence for dental biomaterials, and Dr. Anusavice was a world-renowned dental biomaterials professor,” Antonson said. Four years later, Antonson was appointed as the new products manager at Dentsply Caulk, now Dentsply Sirona, where she would invent and launch PoGo, the first one-step composite finishing and polishing device. “To this day, it remains the best performing device in its category,” she said. She found herself interacting with manufacturing companies and becoming intrigued by their inner workings, such as how a dental product got to market. All-Sides Approach Director of Clinical Research Gets Down to Business BY MICHELLE F. SOLOMON “Research is an exciting whirl of ever-changing, constant discoveries.” —Sibel Antonson continued on page 41