Dr. Anvita Maharishi, assistant professor of Family Dentistry at the University of Iowa, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (AAED) to support her research project on chairside graded zirconia materials.

Dr. Maharishi’s one-year project will delve into the mechanical and optical properties of chairside graded zirconia blocks, exploring the impact of speed sintering and various surface treatments on these materials. By comparing her findings to previous studies on laboratory-based zirconia, Dr. Maharishi aims to develop essential clinical guidelines for using newer graded zirconia materials in dental practices.

“I am grateful to receive this grant from the AAED to continue my research,” said Dr. Maharishi, “since it will provide dentists with valuable insights into the performance and versatility of chairside graded zirconia and thereby improve clinical practices using chairside-graded zirconia materials.”

The grant will enable Dr. Maharishi to conduct comprehensive chemical characterization and analysis of the materials, ultimately contributing to the development of chairside sintering and finishing protocols. Her findings will be shared with the dental community through publications and presentations, fostering a deeper understanding of graded zirconia and its applications.

Dr. Anvita Maharishi is an assistant professor in the Department of Family Dentistry at the University of Iowa and an expert on zirconia materials and their uses in clinical practice. 

The American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry is a national dental organization committed to integrating dental esthetics into the total spectrum of oral health care, and provides a leadership role in the dental profession by defining the highest interdisciplinary clinical, scientific, artistic, and ethical standards through research, publications, and educational presentations.