Prof. Dr. Luigi M. Gallo
Professor of Physiology and Biomechanics of the Masticatory System
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Research Interests
Luigi M. Gallo has been primarily active in the domain of instrumental assessment of pathologies of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), in particular by means of Dynamic Stereometry. This technology – an original development of our Laboratory of Physiology and Biomechanics of the Masticatory System – reconstructs TMJ anatomy and animates it with its corresponding real kinematics, acquired by a high-precision tracking system. Other studies on the etiology of orofacial pain include monitoring of masticatory muscles activity under laboratory conditions and in the natural environment. After a fellowship at the Soft Tissue Research Lab (Hospital for Special Surgery) in New York, Gallo has started a research line studying the initiation of cartilage damage through mechanical (over)loading: this aims at explaining the failure of the TMJ disc and uses the dynamic stereometry information gained in vivo. Further research interests include biomechanics and behavior of patients with removable dental prostheses.
Luigi M. Gallo has been associate editor and editorial board member of various specialized journals such as the «Journal of Dental Research» and «Cells, Tissues, Organs».
Selected publications
Leiggener CS, Erni S, Gallo LM (2013) Novel approach to the study of jaw kinematics in an alloplastic TMJ reconstruction. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2012 41:1041–1045.
Nitschke I, Meier L, Farella M, Palla S, Gallo LM (2012) Nocturnal masseter electromyographic activity of complete denture wearers. Gerodontology. 2012 Jun;29(2):e595-601.
Zaugg B, Hämmerle CH, Palla S, Gallo LM (2012) Implant-supported mandibular splinting affects temporomandibular joint biomechanics. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2012 Aug;23(8):897-901.
Correro-Shahgaldian MR, Colombo V, Spencer ND, Weber FE, Imfeld T, Gallo LM (2011) Coupling plowing of cartilage explants with gene expression in models for synovial joints. J Biomech. 2011 Sep 2;44(13):2472-6.
Farella M, Palla S, Gallo LM (2009) Time-frequency analysis of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity. Muscle Nerve. 2009 Jun;39(6):828-36.
Ettlin DA, Mang H, Colombo V, Palla S, Gallo LM (2008) Stereometric assessment of TMJ space variation by occlusal splints. J Dent Res. 2008 Sep;87(9):877-81.