Associate Professor Sunyoung Ma

Position	Associate Professor / Specialist Prosthodontist / Associate Dean (Postgraduate Studies)
Department	Department of Oral Rehabilitation
Qualifications	BDS DClinDent PhD
Research summary	Implant dentistry, removable prosthodontics, gerodontology, CAD/CAM dentistry
Teaching	BDS4 Year Chair DENT461 Removable Prosthodontics Module co-ordinator CLDN Complete Dentures and Gerodontology Module co-ordinator CLDN Oral Implantology Module co-ordinator Clinical supervision: DENT 461, DENT 551/561, CLDN 920, CLDN 9F
Memberships	New Zealand Association of Prosthodontists and Restorative Dentists Academy of Australian and New Zealand Prosthodontists International College of Prosthodontists New Zealand Dental Association International Team for Implantology
Clinical	DCNZ registered specialist prosthodontist with clinical expertise in fixed and removable prosthodontics and oral implantology

Research

Dr Ma’s research interest includes conducting clinical trials using different treatment modalities involving dental implants for patients especially in the older age group that need to replace their missing teeth. The main research outcome of interest includes biological success of the treatment as well as long-term clinical maintenance / complications issues for both clinicians and patients including any treatment impact on oral health related quality of life for these patients. Dr Ma is also the primary investigator evaluating the clinical stability of zirconia abutments in association with low-temperature degradation and wear at the titanium-zirconia implant-abutment interfaces.

With ongoing national and international collaborations in addition to previous successful research grants and continuous external research funding support, Dr Ma continues to produce research outputs in the areas of oral implantology and gerodontology. Dr Ma has had multiple international invitations to present her research in these areas and is currently working on several book chapters specifically in the area of implant overdentures.

She has supervised multiple undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and is actively involved as a reviewer for multiple international peer reviewed journals and grant applications. Dr Ma was also the recipient of the 2018 SJWRI Undergraduate Research Supervisor Award, and J. Morita Junior Investigator Award for Geriatric Oral Research, International Association for Dental Research (IADR, 2016).

Publications

Grymak, A., Aarts, J. M., Ma, S., Waddell, J. N., & Choi, J. J. E. (2021). Comparison of hardness and polishability of various occlusal splint materials. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 115, 104270. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104270

Atieh, M. A., Baqain, Z. H., Tawse-Smith, A., Ma, S., Almoselli, M., Lin, L., & Alsabeeha, N. H. M. (2021). The influence of insertion torque values on the failure and complication rates of dental implants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Implant Dentistry & Related Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/cid.12993

Paras, A., Ma, S., Waddell, J. N., & Choi, J. J. E. (2021). Real-time in vitro measurement of denture-mucosa pressure distribution in a typical edentulous patient with and without implants: Development of a methodology. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104531

Cheah, C., Lim, C., & Ma, S. (2020). The dentist will scan you now: The next generation of digital-savvy graduates. European Journal of Dental Education. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/eje.12596

Choi, J. J. E., Zwirner, J., Ramani, R. S., Ma, S., Hussaini, H. M., Waddell, J. N., & Hammer, N. (2020). Mechanical properties of human oral mucosa tissues are site dependent: A combined biomechanical, histological and ultrastructural approach. Clinical & Experimental Dental Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/cre2.305

Chapter in Book - Research
Journal - Research Article
Journal - Research Other

Chapter in Book - Research

Beumer, III, J., Faulkner, R. F., Lyons, K., Ma, S., Hanlin, S. M., & Okabe, H. (2015). Restoration of edentulous mandibles with overdentures. In J. Beumer, III, R. F. Faulkner, K. C. Shah & P. K. Moy (Eds.), Fundamentals of implant dentistry: Prosthodontic principles (Vol. 1). (pp. 39-74). Hanover Park, IL: Quintessence.

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Journal - Research Article

Ma, S., Tawse-Smith, A., Brown, S. D. K., & Duncan, W. (2019). Immediately restored single implants in the aesthetic zone of the maxilla using a novel design: 5-year results from a prospective single-arm clinical trial. Clinical Implant Dentistry & Related Research, 21, 344-351. doi: 10.1111/cid.12733

Chen, M. H.-M., Lyons, K., Tawse-Smith, A., & Ma, S. (2019). Resonance frequency analysis in assessing implant stability: A retrospective analysis. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 32(4), 317-326. doi: 10.11607/ijp.6057

Atieh, M. A., Pang, J. K., Lian, K., Wong, S., Tawse-Smith, A., Ma, S., & Duncan, W. J. (2019). Predicting peri-implant disease: Chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) decision tree analysis of risk indicators. Journal of Periodontology, 90, 834-846. doi: 10.1002/jper.17-0501

Al Lawati, I., Al Maskari, H., & Ma, S. (2019). "I am a lefty in a right-handed world": Qualitative analysis of clinical learning experience of left-handed undergraduate dental students. European Journal of Dental Education, 23, 316-322. doi: 10.1111/eje.12432

Chew, M., Tompkins, G., Tawse-Smith, A., Waddell, N., & Ma, S. (2018). Reusing titanium healing abutments: Comparison of two decontamination methods. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 31(6), 613-618. doi: 10.11607/ijp.5881

Payne, A. G. T., Alsabeeha, N. H. M., Atieh, M. A., Esposito, M., Ma, S., & Anas El-Wegoud, M. (2018). Interventions for replacing missing teeth: Attachment systems for implant overdentures in edentulous jaws (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008001.pub2

Tawse-Smith, A., Ma, S., Duncan, W. J., Gray, A., Reid, M. R., & Rich, A. M. (2017). Implications of wear at the titanium-zirconia implant-abutment interface on the health of peri-implant tissues. International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 32(3), 599-609. doi: 10.11607/jomi.5014

Payne, A. G. T., Tawse-Smith, A., Wismeijer, D., De Silva, R. K., & Ma, S. (2017). Multicentre prospective evaluation of implant-assisted mandibular removable partial dentures: Surgical and prosthodontic outcomes. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 28(1), 116-125. doi: 10.1111/clr.12769

Atieh, M. A., Tawse-Smith, A., Alsabeeha, N. H. M., Ma, S., & Duncan, W. J. (2017). The one abutment-one time protocol: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Periodontology, 88(11), 1173-1185. doi: 10.1902/jop.2017.170238

Ma, S., Waddell, J. N., Atieh, M. A., Alsabeeha, N. H. M., & Payne, A. G. T. (2016). Maxillary three-implant overdentures opposing mandibular two-implant overdentures: 10-year prosthodontic outcomes. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 29(4), 327-336. doi: 10.11607/ijp.4631

Tawse-Smith, A., Kota, A., Jayaweera, Y., Jansen van Vuuren, W., & Ma, S. (2016). The effect of standardised implantoplasty protocol on titanium surface roughness: An in-vitro study. Brazilian Oral Research, 30(1), e137. doi: 10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2016.vol30.0137

Ma, S., Tawse-Smith, A., De Silva, R. K., Atieh, M. A., Alsabeeha, N. H. M., & Payne, A. G. T. (2016). Maxillary three-implant overdentures opposing mandibular two-implant overdentures: 10-year surgical outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Implant Dentistry & Related Research, 18(3), 527-544. doi: 10.1111/cid.12325

Tawse-Smith, A., Ma, S., Wu, H., Yeah, A., Jansen Van Vuuren, L., & Jansen van Vuuren, W. (2015). Changes in surface characteristics of moderately roughened grade IV titanium disc following a standardised implantoplasty technique: An in-vitro study. Brazilian Journal of Periodontology, 25(2), 22-33.

Ma, S., & Fenton, A. (2015). Screw- versus cement-retained implant prostheses: A systematic review of prosthodontic maintenance and complications. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 28(2), 127-145.

Osman, R. B., & Ma, S. (2014). Prosthodontic maintenance of overdentures on zirconia implants: A-year results of a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 57(5), 461-468.

Osman, R. B., Morgaine, K. C., Duncan, W., Swain, M. V., & Ma, S. (2014). Patients’ perspectives on zirconia and titanium implants with a novel distribution supporting maxillary and mandibular overdentures: A qualitative study. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 25(5), 587-597. doi: 10.1111/clr.12106

Thomson, W. M., & Ma, S. (2014). An ageing population poses dental challenges. Singapore Dental Journal, 35, 3-8. doi: 10.1016/j.sdj.2014.10.001

Osman, R. B., Swain, M. V., Atieh, M., Ma, S., & Duncan, W. (2014). Ceramic implants (Y-TZP): Are they a viable alternative to titanium implants for the support of overdentures? A randomized clinical trial. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 25(12), 1366-1377. doi: 10.1111/clr.12272

Osman, R. B., Payne, A. G. T., Duncan, W., & Ma, S. (2013). Zirconia implants supporting overdentures: A pilot study with novel prosthodontic designs. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 26(3), 277-281. doi: 10.11607/ijp.2903

Osman, R. B., Elkhadem, A. H., Ma, S., & Swain, M. V. (2013). Finite element analysis of a novel implant distribution to support maxillary overdentures. International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 28(1), e1-e10. doi: 10.11607/jomi.2303

Osman, R. B., Payne, A. G., & Ma, S. (2012). Prosthodontic maintenance of maxillary implant overdentures: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 25(4), 381-391.

Alsabeeha, N. H. M., Ma, S., & Atieh, M. A. (2012). Hydroxyapatite-coated oral implants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 27(5), 1123-1130.

Ma, S., & Payne, A. G. T. (2010). Marginal bone loss with mandibular two-implant overdentures using different loading protocols: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 23(2), 117-126.

Ma, S., Tawse-Smith, A., Thomson, W. M., & Payne, A. G. T. (2010). Marginal bone loss with mandibular two-implant overdentures using different loading protocols and attachment systems: 10-year outcomes. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 23(4), 321-332.

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Journal - Research Other

Chen, M. H.-M., Lyons, K. M., Tawse-Smith, A., & Ma, S. (2019). Clinical significance of the use of resonance frequency analysis in assessing implant stability: A systematic review. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 32(1), 51-58. doi: 10.11607/ijp.6048

Osman, R. B., Ma, S., Duncan, W., De Silva, R. K., Siddiqi, A., & Swain, M. V. (2013). Fractured zirconia implants and related implant designs: Scanning electron microscopy analysis. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 24(5), 592-597. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2011.02411.x

Tawse-Smith, A., Ma, S., Siddiqi, A., Duncan, W. J., Girvan, L., & Hussaini, H. M. (2012). Titanium particles in peri-implant tissues: Surface analysis and histologic response [Case series]. Clinical Advances in Periodontics, 2(4), 232-238. doi: 10.1902/cap.2012.110081

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Sir John Walsh Research Institute researcher profile