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Bennett Tochukwu Amaechi

Contact

210-567-3185

amaechi@uthscsa.edu

Departments & Divisions

Research

Amaechi Lab

Research profile

Bennett Tochukwu Amaechi, BDS, MSc, PhD, MFDS RCPS (Glasg), FADI

Professor of Cariology

Currently seeking M.S. students

Prof. Bennett T. Amaechi, BDS, MSc, PhD, MFDSRCPS (Glasg), FADI, Professor of Dentistry in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), specializes in three areas of dentistry, prosthodontics, preventive dentistry and cariology (caries management). He received his dental degree at the University of Ife, Nigeria (now Obafemi Awolowo University). Dr. Amaechi began his career as a dentist with specialist training and Master?s degree in prosthodontics and dental implantology at Guy?s Hospital, University of London, UK, and he later gained a PhD degree in Cariology and Preventive Dentistry at the University of Liverpool, UK. His responsibilities include pre-doctoral and graduate didactic and preclinical teaching. His research interest, which is on dental caries, particularly clinical trials of anticaries agents and caries diagnostics, has been supported by NIH grants and Industry contracts. He has authored several journal articles, a book on dental erosion, book chapters, review articles, and conference proceedings. He is a highly accomplished dentist, scholar, educator and a dedicated mentor, who touches the careers of many faculty and students within and outside his institution, and at international level in more than 12 countries. He has been invited as guest speaker at local, national and international levels with a total of 65 invited presentations. Dr. Amaechi is a reviewer to several scientific journals and grant funding bodies including NIH. He completed the UTHSCSA Leadership Program (2009) and the Teaching Excellence Course (2002) to enhance his teaching and mentorship activities. Dr. Amaechi was honored with 2010 Outstanding Mentor award by the UTSA Honor College, 2014 Faculty Leadership award by the UTHSCSA Faculty Senate in recognition of his leadership qualities and accomplishments, 2015 Teaching excellence award by UTHSCSA dental school Faculty Assembly, Humanitarian/community service award (2015) by his local community, Membership of Faculty of Dental Surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (2016), and Presidential award for sustained excellence in teaching by the University of Texas Health, San Antonio (2019). He is an active member and officer of various national and international professional and scientific organizations.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 1999 - PhD - Cariology - University of Liverpool
    • 1993 - Clinical Fellowship - Dental Implantology - Branemark Clinic & Guy`s Dental Hospital
    • 1993 - MS - Prosthetic Dentistry - Guy`s Hospital, University of London
    • 1986 - BDS - Dentistry - University of Ife
    • 1983 - BS - Health Sciences - University of Ife

    Appointments

    • 11/2013 - Graduate Faculty of the Master of Science in Dental Science Program - University of Texas Health Sciences at San Antonio, Comprehensive Dentistry
    • 9/2013 - Professor with Tenure - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Comprehensive Dentistry, San Antonio
    • 4/2012 - Graduate Faculty in Biomedical Engineering - University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio
    • 4/2008 - Graduate Faculty for Master of Science in Clinical Investigation - Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio
    • 9/2004 - Faculty Member - Honor College of the University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio
    • 11/2001 - Director of Cariology - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Comprehensive Dentistry, San Antonio

  • Instruction & Training

    • 7/2014 - Present, Preclin Fixed Prosthodont, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 7/2014 - Present, Preclinical Operative Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 7/2013 - Present, Preclin Complete Prosthodontics, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 7/2013 - Present, Preclin Remov Partial Lab, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 7/2013 - Present, Preclinical Implantology, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 3/2009 - Present, Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA - Dental School
    • 1/2006 - Present, Clinic Introduction, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 9/2004 - Present, Clinic Introduction, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 9/2002 - Present, Dental Biomed Core I, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 9/2002 - Present, Dental Public Health Residency Program
    • 1/2002 - Present, Cariology, The University of Texas Health Science Center
    • 11/2001 - Present, Preventive Dentistry Clinic, The University of Texas Health Science Center

  • Research & Grants

    Clinical trials and laboratory studies,centered mainly on development of oral care products for management of dental caries, acid erosion, dentin hypersensitivity, toothwhitening, tooth restoration, toothbrushing and saliva stimulation. We perform studies on tooth demineralization & remineralization, early caries detection and management, biofilm studies and plaque acidity measurement. Our program is supported by state-of-the-art seven-operatory clinical research facility, university core facilities, and a wide range of clinical and laboratory devices, including In situ models (fixed & removable),Transverse microradiography, Microhardness testing, Non-contact laser profilometry.

    Amaechi Lab

    Research profile

  • Publications

      Abstract

      B.T. AMAECHI, S.M. MATHEWS, P.K. MENSINKAI, and L.O. OKOYE. CLINICAL EVALUATION OF THEOBROMINE-CONTAINING TOOTHPASTE FOR DENTIN TUBULE OCCLUSION; 2014 Jun. (JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH, VOL. 93, SP. ISS B; Abs 235). B.T. AMAECHI, S.M. MATHEWS, K. RAMALINGAM, and P.K. MENSINKAI. OCCLUSION OF DENTIN TUBULES BY NANOHYDROXYAPATITE-CONTAINING DENTIFRICES; 2014 Jun. (JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH, VOL. 93, SP. ISS B; Abst. 1348). M. El Banna, *, J. Collette, P. Gakunga, I.M.G. El Zayat,B.T. Amaechi. Antimicrobial Effect of Selenium-Containing Demineralization Inhibition Primer and Surface Sealant; 2014 Jun. (Caries Res 2014;48:384?450 (abst.13). B. Wong, J. Silvertown, *, S. Abrams, K. Sivagurunathan,D.A. Lysek, B.T. Amaechi. In Vitro Detection of Remineralisation of Early Caries Using Curodont(?) Repair with The Canary System; 2014 Jun. (Caries Res 2014;48:384?450; Abst. 52). J. Jan, W.Z. Wan Bakar, S.M. Mathews, B.R. Ehler, C. Louden, B.T. Amaechi. In Vitro Study of the Canary System for Proximal Caries Detection; 2014 Jun. (Caries Res 2014;48:384?450; Abst. 102). B. Wong, S. Abrams, K. Sivagurunathan, J. Silvertown, W.M. Hellen, G.I. Elman, B.T. Amaechi. In Vitro Detection of Caries Around Composite-Resin Restorations with The Canary System; 2014 Jun. (Caries Res 2014;48:384?450; Abst. 127). B. WONG, S. ABRAMS, T. ABRAMS, K. SIVAGURUNATHAN, R.J. JEON, J. SILVERTOWN, A. HELLEN, A. MANDELIS, W.M. HELLEN, G. ELMAN, P.K. MENSINKAI, S.M. MATHEWS, and B.T. AMAECHI. Accuracy of The Canary System with opaque dental sealants; 2013 Mar. (J Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs #7). J. Gudkina, B.T. Amaechi, S.H. Abrams, A. Brinkmane,I. Rogovska. Sensitivity and Specificity of dmfs/DMFS to ICDAS II in Riga?s Children with Baseline Age 6 and 12 Years:A Follow-Up Study; 2013 Mar. (Caries Res 2013;47; 433?531:Abs#120). M. El Banna, A. F. B. Oliveira,Wagner B, R. A. Ccahuana-Vasquez,I.M.G. El Zayata, B.T Amaechi. Effects of Acidic Beverages on Human Teeth: An In Vitro Study; 2013 Mar. (Caries Res 2013;47; 433?531. Abs.#185). B. Wong, S. H. Abrams, J. D. Silvertown, K. Sivagurunathan, R. Klausze, A. Mandelis, B. T. Amaechi. Detection of caries around ceramic crown restorations with The Canary System and DIAGNOdent; 2013 Mar. (Caries Res 2013;47; 433?531:Abs#86). I.M.G. El Zayaa,D. A. Vo , M. El Banna , and B.T Amaechi. Evaluation of a Selenium-containing Antimicrobial Pit and Fissures Sealant; 2013 Mar. (Caries Res 2013;47;433?531; Abs #42). M. El Banna, A. F. B. Oliveira, B.Wagner, R. A. Ccahuana-Vasquez,I.M.G. El Zayata, B.T Amaechi. Clinical Trial of an Antimicrobial Pit and Fissure Sealant; 2013 Mar. (Caries Res 2013;47; 433?531Abs..#185). B. Wong, S. H. Abrams, K. Sivagurunathan, J. D. Silvertown, A. Hellen, A. Mandelis, W. M. P. Hellen, G. I. Elman, S. M. Mathew, P. K. Mensinkai, B. T. Amaechi. Correlation with Caries Lesion Depth of the Canary System, DIAGNOdent and ICDAS II; 2013 Mar. (Caries Res 2013;47; 433?531: Abs #77). K. SIVAGURUNATHAN, A. HELLEN, J.D. SILVERTOWN, B. WONG, R.J. JEON, B.T. AMAECHI, and S.H. ABRAMS. Detection, Monitoring and Imaging Dental Erosion with The Canary Lab System; 2013 Mar. (J. Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs #2901). A. RITTER, J.D. BADER, M.C. LEO, J.S. PREISSER, D. SHUGARS, W.M. VOLLMER, B.T. AMAECHI, and J.C. HOLLAND. Does Xylitol Have a Tooth Surface-specific Caries Preventive Effect?; 2013 Mar. (J. Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs #2896). J.C. OLIVER, P.K. MENSINKAI, S.M. MATHEWS, P.T. GAKUNGA, and B.T. AMAECHI. Effect of Varnish XT on Demineralization around Orthodontic Brackets; 2013 Mar. (J. Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs# 2558). J.D. SILVERTOWN, K. SIVAGURUNATHAN, A. HELLEN, J. KENNEDY, W.M. HELLEN, G.I. ELMAN, R. CHOULJIAN, R. EHRLICH, B.T. AMAECHI, Y. FINER, and S.H. ABRAMS. Clinical Detection and Monitoring of Caries Using The Canary System; 2013 Mar. (J Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs #2026). J.P. BROWN, B.T. AMAECHI, J.D. BADER, D. SHUGARS, W.M. VOLLMER, C. CHEN, G.H. GILBERT, and E.J. ESTERBERG. Longitudinal Transitional Patterns of Non-cavitated Caries Lesions; 2013 Mar. (J Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs #2020). J.Y. HAN, T. QUINTANILLA, A.E. ALKAN, B.T. AMAECHI, E. TEIXEIRA, C.E. SMITH, and Y.P. CHUN. Ameloblastin Concentration Impacts Enamel Thickness and Hardness; 2013 Mar. (J Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs 835). S.S. KHIMANI, H.A. KHAN, M. NWOHA, R. GEORGE, P. SUREJA, W. ODUNTAN, S.M. MATHEWS, P.T. GAKUNGA, and B.T. AMAECHI. Durability of Sealants Used for Preventing Demineralization around Orthodontic Brackets; 2013 Mar. (J Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs 646). A. GHAZVINI, A.F.B. OLIVEIRA, R.A. CCAHUANA VASQUEZ, L.O. OKOYE, and B.T. AMAECHI. The Erosive Potential of Acidic Candies in Human Saliva; 2013 Mar. (J Dent Res, Vol. 92, Sp. Iss A; abs #10). Najibfard, I. Chedjieu, I. Gakunga, P.T Amaechi B.T. Do products preventing demineralization around brackets affect adhesive bond strength?; 2011 Jan. (Journal of Dental Research; vol. 90, no. B). Patel, A.R, Mugisa, I.S, Gakunga PT, Hatch JP, Amaechi BT. Light-cured filled sealant prevented enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets; 2008 Jan. (Journal of Dental Research; vol. 87, no. A).

      Book Chapter

      M. Fontana, H. Ngo, L. Walsh, BT Amaechi. Aids to remineralization. In: G. Mount, WR Hume, H. Ngo, M. Wolff. Preservation and Restoration of Tooth Structure. Oxford: Wylie-Blackwell; 2013. Amaechi BT. Caries management by modifying diet. In: Ekstrand, K., Meyer-luckel H., Paris S. Caries management ? science and clinical practice. Chapter 11;. New York: Thieme; 2013. p. 162-175. Amaechi BT, van Loveren, C. Fluorides and Non-fluoride Remineralization Systems. In: van Loveren, C. Toothpastes. Monogr Oral Sci. Basel: Karger; 2013. p. 15-26. Amaechi BT, van Amerongen JP, van Loveren Cor, Kidd EAM. Caries Management: Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies. In: Hilton et al. Summitt?s Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry: A Contemporary Approach. Chapter 5;. Chicago: Quintessence Int; 2013. p. 93-130. Clarkson JE, Amaechi BT, Ngo H, Bonetti D. Recall, reassessment and monitoring. In: Pitts N. Detection, Assessment, Diagnosis and Monitoring of Caries. Basel: Karger; 2009. p. 188-198.

      Book/Monograph

      Amaechi BT. DENTAL EROSION and ITS CLINICAL MANAGEMENT Berlin, Germany: Springer; 2014. 240 p. Amaechi BT. Using Technology to Aid in Early Detection and Diagnosis of Caries Lesions MetLife? Quality Resource Guide. 1st Edition; Bridgewater, NJ: MetLife Dental; 2012. 12 p.

      Electronic/Web Publication

      Amaechi BT. Warning issued over energy drinks 2012 May.

      Journal Article

      Brown JP, Amaechi BT, Bader JD, Shugars D, Vollmer WM, Chen C, Gilbert GH, Esterberg EJ; the X-ACT Collaborative Research Group. The dynamic behavior of the early dental caries lesion in caries-active adults and implications Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2015 Feb;43:208-216. BENNETT T. AMAECHI, SAPNA M. MATHEWS, KARTHIKEYAN RAMALINGAM, POORNIMA K. MENSINKAI. Evaluation of nanohydroxyapatite-containing toothpaste for occluding dentin tubules Am J Dent 2015 Feb;28:33-39. Amaechi BT, Ramalingam K. Evaluation of Fluorescence Imaging with Reflectance Enhancement for Caries Detection American Journal of Dentistry 2014 Apr;27:112-116. Amaechi BT, Mathews SM, Mensinkai PK. Effect of theobromine-containing toothpaste on dentin tubule occlusion in situ Clin Oral Investig 2014 Mar;. Kaiplavil S, Mandelis A, Amaechi BT. Truncated-correlation photothermal coherence tomography of artificially demineralized animal bones: two- and three-dimensional markers for mineral loss monitoring Journal of Biomedical Optics 2014 Feb;19(2). Park JH, Gakunga PT, Vishwanat L, Amaechi BT. Influence of Ligation Methods on Plaque Accumulation and White Spots Formation around Orthodontic Brackets Journal of Dentistry, Oral Disorders 2014 Feb;2(1). Amaechi BT, Porteous NB, Ramalingam K, Mensinkai, P.K., Ccahuana Vasquez, R.A., Sadeghpour, A, Nakamoto, T. Remineralization of artificial enamel lesions by theobromine Caries Research 2013 Apr;47:399-405. Amaechi BT, Chedjieu I, Lozano-Pineda J. Clinical Evaluation of an Enhanced White Light and Fluorescence Device for Early Detection of Caries Lesions Journal of Clinical Dentistry 2013 Apr;24(2):43-48. Samec T, Amaechi BT, Battelino T, Krivec U, Jan J. Influence of anti-asthmatic medications on dental caries in children in Slovenia International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2012.01243.x 2013 Jan;23(3):188-196. James D. Bader, William M. Vollmer, Daniel A. Shugars D., Gregg H. Gilbert, Bennett T. Amaechi, John P. Brown, Reesa L. Laws, Kimberly A. Funkhouser, Sonia K. Makhija, Andre V. Ritter, Michael C. Leo. Results from the Xylitol for Adult Caries Trial (X-ACT) Journal of the American Dental Association-accepted 2013 Jan;144(1):21-30. Amaechi BT, Porteous N, Ramalingam K, Mensinkai PK, Ccahuana-Vasquez RA, Sadeghpour A, Nakamoto T. Remineralization of Artificial Enamel lesions by Theobromine Caries Research 2013 Jan;47:399-405. P. Tran, A. Hamood, T. Mosley, T. Gray, C. Jarvis, D. Webster, B. Amaechi, T. Enos and T. Reid. Organo-Selenium-containing Dental Sealant Inhibits Bacterial Biofilm Journal of Dental Research 2013 Jan;92(5):461-466. Ritter AV, Preisser JS, Chung Y, Bader JD, Shugars DA, Amaechi BT, Makhija SK, Funkhouser KA, Vollmer WM. Risk Indicators for the Presence and Extent of Root Caries Among Caries-Active Adults Enrolled in the Xylitol for Adult Caries Trial (X-ACT) Clin Oral Investig 2012 Dec;16(6):1647-1657. J. Kim, A. Mandelis, A. Matvienko, S. Abrams and B. T. Amaechi. Detection of Dental Secondary Caries using Frequency-Domain Infrared Photothermal Radiometry (PTR) and Modulated Luminescence (LUM) International Journal of Thermophysics 2012 Dec;33:1778-1786. Kim J, Mandelis A, Abrams SH, Vu JT, Amaechi BT. In-vitro detection of artificial caries on vertical dental cavity walls using infrared photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence Journal of Biomedical Optics 2012 Dec;17(12):127001-127009. Amaechi BT, Ramalingam K, Mensinkai PK, Chedjieu I.

      . In situ remineralization of early caries by a new high-fluoride dentifrice General Dentistry 2012 Jul;60(4):186-192.

      Najibfard K, Ramalingam K, Chedjieu I, Amaechi BT. Remineralization of Early Caries by Nano-Hydroxyapatite Dentifrice Journal of Clinical Dentistry 2011 Nov;22(05):139-143. Banting DW, Amaechi BT, Bader JD, Blanchard P, Gilbert GH, Gullion GM, Holland JC, Makhija SK, Papas A, Ritter AV, Singh ML, Vollmer MV. Examiner Training and Reliability in Two Randomized Clinical Trials of Adult Dental Caries Journal of Public Health Dentistry 2011 Oct;71:335-344. Pitts N, Amaechi BT, Niederman R, Acevedo A-M, Vianna R, Ganss C, Ismail A, Honkala E. Global Oral Health Inequalities: Dental Caries Task Group?Research Agenda Advances Dental Research 2011 May;23:211-220. Tabatabaei N, Mandelis A, Amaechi BT. Thermophotonic radar imaging: An emissivity-normalized modality with advantages over phase lock-in thermography Appl. Phys. Lett 2011 Apr;98(16):163706-163709. Anderson P., Beeley J., Manarte Monteiro P., De Soet H., Andrian S., Amaechi B., Huysmans M.-C.D.N.J.M. Huysmans. A European Core Curriculum in Cariology: the knowledge base European J Dent Educ 2011 Jan;15:18-22. Hellen A, Matvienko A, Mandelis A, Finer Y, Amaechi BT. Optothermophysical properties of demineralized human dental enamel determined using photothermally generated diffuse photon density and thermal-wave fields Appl Opt 2010 Dec;49(36):6938-6951. Zhang Xu, Koon Gee Neoh, Amaechi BT, Anil Kishen. Monitoring bacterial-demineralization of human dentine by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy Journal of Dentistry 2010 Jan;38:138-148. R Daly R Wirdatul, Wan Bakar WZ, Husein A, Ismail NM, Amaechi BT. The study of tooth wear patterns and their associated aetiologies in adults in Kelantan, Malaysia Archives of Orofacial Sciences 2010 Jan;5:47-52. R.J. Jeon, A. Matvienko, A. Mandelis, S.H. Abrams, B.T. Amaechi, and G. Kulkarni. Interproximal dental caries detection using Photothermal Radiometry (PTR) and Modulated Luminescence (LUM) Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 2008 May;153:467-469.

      Review Article

      Amaechi BT. Remineralization Therapies for Initial Caries Lesions Current Oral Health Reports 2015 Apr;2. N.X. West, M. Davies, Amaechi BT. In vitro and in situ Erosion Models for Evaluating Tooth Substance Loss Caries Research 2011 Jan;45:43-52.