About

Serge Dibart is the Chair of Periodontology and a Professor of Periodontology at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. His research interests include the in situ identification of bacteria in gingival epithelial cells using antibody and DNA probe technology, measurement of IgG subclass levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontal diseases, and the investigation of microbiota and immune responses in patients with Down syndrome. He also studies microbial and immunohistochemical findings in human teeth affected by advanced periodontitis, as well as microbial colonization at the implant/abutment interface. Throughout his career, Dibart has contributed to understanding periodontal disease mechanisms, evaluating treatment efficacy, and advancing minimally invasive procedures such as piezocision and ridge-splitting techniques. His work emphasizes microbiological, immunological, and clinical aspects of periodontal and implant dentistry.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Chemistry
• Dentistry
• Pathology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Biochemistry
• Anatomy
• Internal medicine
• Computer Science
• Orthodontics
• Cell biology
• Cancer research
• Biology
• Composite material
• Physics
• Biomedical engineering
• Computer vision
• Human–computer interaction
• Materials science
• Surgery
• Nuclear medicine
• Optics
• Mathematics
• Computer graphics (images)

Selected publications

• Suppression of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cytokine Production by Chemokine Ligand-1 Short Hairpin RNA

  Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research · 2026-04-28

  article

  Objectives: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from oral Gram-negative bacteria induces inflammatory responses involving the chemokine CXCL1. Although CXCL1 is known to mediate inflammation, its role in disease processes remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the biological function of CXCL1, evaluate shRNAs as inhibitors, and determine whether CXCL1 suppression is associated with reduced LPS-induced cytokine production. Materials and Methods: Human CXCL1 cDNA was cloned into recombinant plasmid DNA and transfected into THP-1 monocyte-like cells. CXCL1-regulated cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and IL-1β, were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) following treatment with pharmacologic and molecular inhibitors. Multiple CXCL1-targeting shRNAs were designed, synthesized, and tested. The specificity of CXCL1 shRNA-mediated inhibition of LPS-induced proteins was analyzed using ELISA and a hybrid method analysis. Results: Treatment with a Janus kinase inhibitor or CXCL1 shRNA#2 significantly suppressed CXCL1 expression, resulting in reduced production of TNF-α and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a regulatory role for CXCL1. CXCL1 shRNA#2 also markedly inhibited LPS-induced chemokines, kinases, transcription factors, and apoptotic genes, demonstrating broad anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: CXCL1 appears to play a regulatory role in LPS-dependent inflammatory pathways, and its suppression by shRNA or pharmacologic inhibitors effectively reduces cytokine production. These findings provide insight into CXCL1-associated mechanisms while highlighting the need for further mechanistic studies to elucidate the precise signaling pathways involved and may inform the development of potential therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases.

  PublisherDOI

• Beyond the Cup: Coffee Extracts as Modulators of Periodontal Inflammation and Bone Remodeling

  Current Issues in Molecular Biology · 2025-10-08 · 1 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Alveolar bone loss is a defining feature of periodontitis and a principal cause of tooth loss worldwide. Driven by a dysregulated host immune response to chronic bacterial infection, periodontitis initiates a cascade of inflammatory events that lead to an imbalance in bone remodeling, favoring osteoclastic activity. While conventional periodontal therapies aim to control infection and inflammation, they often fall short in preserving bone integrity. As a result, interest has grown in adjunctive strategies targeting molecular pathways involved in bone metabolism. Among potential candidates, coffee, a globally consumed beverage often perceived as detrimental to health, has gained attention for its complex array of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and polyphenols. These compounds have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and osteo-modulatory effects in various biological contexts. Despite coffee's reputation as a potential health risk, its complex composition presents a paradox, necessitating an investigation into how its bioactive constituents may mitigate periodontal tissue destruction. The novelty of this short review lies in its integration of in vitro, animal, and epidemiologic evidence to delineate the dose- and context-dependent effects of coffee polyphenols, particularly chlorogenic and ferulic acids, on periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone remodeling, with special emphasis on osteoclast-related mechanisms that have not been synthesized previously. Caffeine can influence osteoblast and osteoclast activity in a dose-dependent manner, while chlorogenic acids (CGA) and polyphenols exert radical-scavenging and cytokine-suppressing activity that may reduce inflammatory bone loss. However, their efficacy is influenced by coffee species, cultivation, roasting, and extraction methods. This review evaluates current evidence and proposes directions for optimizing coffee-based formulations to support alveolar bone preservation in periodontitis.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Chronic Lipopolysaccharide Exposure Causes <scp>AD</scp> ‐Like Pathology in Male Mice With Intact Blood–Brain Barrier

  The FASEB Journal · 2025-05-03 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  Chronic inflammatory conditions like periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are reported to contribute to the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Gram-negative bacteria are the main bacterial species causing oral and gut mucosal infections. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major inflammation-inducing molecule in Gram-negative bacteria. LPS derived from the oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis exhibits heterogeneous tetra-acylated and penta-acylated lipid A, while LPS from Escherichia coli exhibits the classical hexa-acylated lipid A. Whether P. gingivalis-LPS and E. coli-LPS play a similar role in the progression of late-onset AD is unknown. Using adult, wild-type C57BL/6J mice to mimic the adult population without genetically determined predisposition to AD, we showed that chronic inflammation induced by a 28-day, subcutaneous infusion of P. gingivalis-LPS or E. coli-LPS can lead to neuroinflammation and AD-like cognitive decline and pathology in male mice. At this relatively early stage (4 weeks) of chronic inflammation when the blood-brain barrier is intact, both P. gingivalis-LPS and E. coli-LPS cause neuroinflammation through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expressed at microglia in the brain. Notably, only E. coli-LPS induces significant inflammatory responses systemically. In short, our results suggest that chronic P. gingivalis-LPS release (occurring in chronic periodontitis) or E. coli-LPS release (occurring in IBD) could harm the brain before the blood-brain barrier is disrupted; continuous local P. gingivalis-LPS release might do harm to the brain before exhibiting adverse effects systemically.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Assessing the article screening efficiency of artificial intelligence for Systematic Reviews

  Journal of Dentistry · 2024-07-26 · 15 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools utilizing machine learning (ML) have gained increasing utility in medicine and academia as a means of enhancing efficiency. ASReview is one such AI program designed to streamline the systematic review process through the automated prioritization of relevant articles for screening. This study examined the screening efficiency of ASReview when conducting systematic reviews and the potential factors that could influence its efficiency. METHODS: Six distinct topics within the field of periodontics were searched in PubMed and Web of Science to obtain articles for screening within ASReview. Through a "training" process, relevant and irrelevant articles were manually incorporated to develop "prior knowledge" and facilitate ML optimization. Screening was then conducted following ASReview's algorithmically-generated relevance rankings. Screening efficiency was evaluated based on the normalized number of articles not requiring detailed review and on the total time expenditure. RESULTS: Across the six topics, an average of 60.2 % of articles did not warrant extensive screening, given that all relevant articles were discovered within the first 39.8 % of publication reviewed. No significant variations in efficiencies were observed with differing methods of assembling prior knowledge articles or via modifications in article ratios and numbers. CONCLUSIONS: On average, ASReview conferred a 60.2 % improvement in screening efficiency, largely attributed to its dynamic ML capabilities. While advanced technologies like ASReview promise enhanced efficiencies, the accurate human discernment of article relevancy and quality remains indispensable when training these AI tools. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Using ASReview has the potential to save approximately 60 % of time and effort required for screening articles.

  PublisherDOI

• The biological effects of Piezocision™ on bone for accelerated tooth movement: A systematic review of animal studies

  International Orthodontics · 2024-03-28 · 3 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to assess the biological response at tissue, cellular, and molecular levels following Piezocision™ surgery, and its efficacy in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted across 4 databases following the PRISMA guidelines up to May 2022. Prospective controlled animal studies involving healthy animals under active orthodontic treatment assisted by corticotomy performed with a piezotome (Piezocision™) published in the English language without time restrictions were included. The article selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment (SYRCLE tool) were performed by two independent blinded review authors. RESULTS: Out of 738 articles screened, 10 studies were included with various level of bias. Biological responses were categorized into tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. Tissue-level changes included a global decrease in bone mineral content post-Piezocision™. At the cellular level, increased bone turnover activity was noted. Molecularly, elevated RANKL and OPG expression, along with increased TRAP+ and cytokines, were observed after Piezocision™. Studies confirmed Piezocision's efficacy, reporting 1.35 to 3.26 times faster tooth movements, peaking between the 3rd and 50th day post-surgery. Biological responses were transient, reversible, and proportional to surgical insult, with reactivation possible through a second Piezocision™. CONCLUSIONS: After Piezocision™ surgery, a transient and reversible biological response was described at the tissue, cellular and molecular levels, which induced faster orthodontic tooth movements. This biological response could be re-activated by an additional Piezocision™ and is proportional to the surgical injury. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Prospero CRD42022303237.

  PublisherDOI

• A hybrid technique for measurement of intra/extracellular proteins

  PLoS ONE · 2023-05-04 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  ELISA or Western blot is known as a basic technique to be used for measurement of intracellular proteins, but in some cases, they cannot overcome problems such as normalization between samples or extraneous costs for required commercial kits. In order to address this problem, we developed a rapid and effective method (a hybrid of Western blot and ELISA). We use this new hybrid method to detect and normalize trace protein changes in gene expression intracellularly at a lower cost.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Piezocision Through Computer-Guided Navigation

  The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry · 2023 · 10 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Computer Science
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Science

  Numerous surgical techniques have been developed as effective means to facilitate orthodontic treatment, but they may cause significant postoperative discomfort. Piezocision was established as a flapless and minimally invasive technique to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement by com- bining small vertical incisions and piezoelectric corticotomies. Computed tomography is combined with the Piezocision technique to fabricate CAD/CAM surgical guides to prevent iatrogenic damage. A method to combine computer-assisted dynamic navigation with Piezocision is introduced here. CBCT was combined with motion-tracking technology to allow real-time tracing of the piezoelectric instruments during the surgical procedure. This technique delivers the location of the piezoelectric knife in regard to roots and important anatomical structures to increase the safety and accuracy during corticotimies.

  PublisherDOI

• Quantification and comparison of the regional acceleratory phenomenon in bone following piezosurgery or bur osteotomy: A pilot study in rats

  Clinical and Experimental Dental Research · 2022 · 5 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Nuclear medicine
  • Anatomy
  • Chemistry

  BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon (RAP) can be induced surgically via decortication (selective cortical penetrations) of bone to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. Few studies have compared the impact and efficiency of different decortication methods to induce the RAP. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in the intensity of the RAP induced by a surgical defect created either using a piezoelectric knife or a rotary bur. METHODS: Twenty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two treatment groups (each n = 8) and a control group (n = 6). The treatment groups were subjected to transcortical penetrations (TP) of the right tibia using either a piezoelectric knife (PTP) or a rotary bur (BTP). The right tibias of the control group animals had reflection of tissues (SHAM) and the left legs were kept for comparison (INTACT). The animals were killed at 7 and 14 days after the operation in an equally distributed manner. Microcomputed tomography images were obtained and analyzed utilizing artificial intelligence for bone cortical porosity (Ct.Po) locally and regionally. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Regionally, TP using a PTP induced significantly (p < .05, Kruskal-Wallis test) more Ct.Po than BTP or INTACT for both the 7- and 14-day time points. PTP was not found to induce significantly more Ct.Po than SHAM at any time point. However, PTP induced significantly more Ct.Po than the INTACT group for each time point, while SHAM did not. The local analysis did not reveal any relevant significant differences between groups.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The role of TNF-α induced protein 1 in the activation of pro-apoptotic proteins

  Human Cell · 2021-04-28 · 7 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• The pathogenic mechanism of oral bacteria and treatment with inhibitors

  Clinical and Experimental Dental Research · 2021-10-09 · 4 citations

  reviewOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to introduce the evidence obtained through extensive research that periodontitis increases risk of many systemic diseases. METHOD: Analysis of some oral bacteria (P. gingivalis, T. denticola, T. forsythia, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and F. nucleatum) and its related treatments and mediators by the specific methods (western blot, ELISA, etc). RESULTS: This article reviews in detail the evidence obtained through extensive research that periodontitis increases risk of many systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease. These diseases are known to be associated with some certain specific gram-negative bacteria as periodontal pathogens, which induce inflammation and related diseases through TLR receptors, kinases, transcriptional factors and other cytokines. We also reviewed the latest research for inhibitors against inflammation and related diseases that have potential to be further applied clinically. In addition, based on a large amount of research evidence, we draw two tables about the mechanism of disease caused by periodontal bacteria, so that readers can easily search and analyze these research results. DISCUSSION: This review details how the periodontal bacteria and their virulence factors can trigger host immune defense and induce many systemic diseases via inflammation and invasion. This Review also addressed the latest research around inhibitors against inflammation.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• S. S. Socransky

  14 shared

• A. D. Haffajee

  10 shared

• Jeremy Kernitsky

  9 shared

• Thomas E. Van Dyke

  Boston University

  8 shared

• Erdjan Salih

  8 shared

• David M. Kim

  Harvard University

  7 shared

• Ronaldo B. Santana

  7 shared

• Xiaoou Tang

  Shanghai Maritime University

  6 shared

Education

• Other

  Aix-Marseilles University, School of Dental Medicine

• Other

  Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine