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Romesh Nalliah

Bio

Dr. Romesh Nalliah teaches dentistry, practices dentistry and does research at the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Nalliah received his degree in dental surgery at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. He has worked in rural Australia, serving elderly persons in aged-care settings, children in underserved communities, inmates in correctional facilities, and Indigenous Australians. In his career he has served as Director of a pediatric dental project in rural Australia and been a business partner in a private practice in Mt. Barker (Australia).

Dr. Nalliah now serves as the Faculty Head for Castle Society at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. In 2011 he won a Massachusetts Dental Society award that recognizes dentists who have made a significant contribution to the profession within the first ten years of their career. More recently, Dr. Nalliah was selected to enter the prestigious Leadership Institute of the American Dental Association.

Specialties:

Affiliation:

  • Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Location:

Group Memberships:

Activity

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Dentistry:
    Alligator Study Gives Clues to Regrowing Lost Teeth

    TUESDAY, May 14 (HealthDay News) -- Dentists, as it turns out, may have one more reason than the rest of us to be wary of alligators. The toothy reptiles may one day put those who install implants, bridges and dentures out of their jobs.

    Alligators continually make new teeth to replace t...Full Article

  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Are denture adhesives necessary?
    Denture adhesives are not necessary, but may be helpful. Adhesives should not compensate for a...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    What is the difference between upper and lower dentures?
    An upper denture is able to get good suction by adhering to the palate in the upper jaw. In the...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Why is it dangerous to ignore oral health?
    Many people and health care professionals do not realize how intimately the oral cavity is...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Does gingivitis affect children differently than adults?
    Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums in response to dental plaque and it can affect children...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    What are the risks of spinal fusion?
    As with any surgical intervention there are risks to spinal fusion surgery. Those risks have been...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    What is spinal fusion?
    Spinal fusion is a surgical process that bonds vertebrae together. It is done to stop movement in...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Do dental crowns look natural?
    Dental crowns are hand made in a laboratory using records your dentist takes during a visit with you. The resulting crowns can look very natural and difficult to distinguish from your own teeth. Modern techniques can even be utilized to add minor stains to resemble adjacent teeth.  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Should I get my fillings checked regularly?
    It is a common misunderstanding that once a tooth is filled or crowned it won't get cavities again. This is false! In fact, a tooth with a filling or crown is more likely to get a cavity than a healthy natural tooth. Filled teeth have margins between the filling and the tooth- this margin must be...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Why is a temporary crown used?
    The most important reason for a patient to use a temporary crown is to preserve your appearance while the permanent crown is being fabricated. Additionally, the temporary crown prevents damage to the prepared natural tooth- any damage could result in a poorer fit of the new crown. The temporary also...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Why do teeth darken?
    Teeth darken for a variety of reasons. The first, and most important, is poor oral hygiene. Additionally, specific foods/drinks can accelerate stain formation between cleanings- the tanins from teas and wines are recognized for their stain forming ability. Also, medications taken during the formation...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Do I need dentures even if I still have some natural teeth?
    Dentures can be advantageous even if you only have a few teeth missing. Firstly, it prevents overeruption of the opposing natural tooth which is a natural phenomena. Secondly, it prevents tilting of adjacent teeth into the gaps. Thirdly, it increases your chewing efficiency by giving you more teeth...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    What are the alternatives to getting a silver dental filling?
    The most common alternative to a silver dental filling is a white composite filling. However, it is important to listen to the advise of your dentist. Large composite fillings don't last as long as large amalgam fillings. If a filling is very large and an amalgam is recommended by your dentist, a composite...  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Can I get bad breath from not brushing?
    Indeed! Not brushing can create numerous problems and one of these is bad breath. If you do not regularly brush away the bacteria, as they decompose they start to form a bad smell in your mouth and can lead to other problems like gingivitis, periodontitis and cavities.  Full Post
  • Romesh Nalliah
    Romesh Nalliah answered:
    Are denture adhesives necessary?

    Denture adhesives are not necessary, but maybe helpful. Adhesives should not compensate for a poorly fitting denture and a consultation with your dentist can help to determine if your denture is satisfactory or not. A small amount of adhesive, with a comfortably fitted denture can give you the co

    ...  Full Post