Joseph Palamara

Associate Professor Joseph Palamara serves at the Melbourne Dental School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne. He holds qualifications including BSc, Dip Ed, and PhD, and is recognized as a PhD-qualified physicist. His primary research interest lies in the investigation of structure-function-mechanical and physical properties of teeth and bone as it relates to their restoration with biomimetic materials. This encompasses mechanical properties of dental materials, with a focus on clinical and laboratory testing in prosthodontics. Palamara contributes to the Prosthodontics research group, emphasizing translational research through partnerships with university collaborators and industry.

Throughout his career at the University of Melbourne, Palamara has advanced dental implantology and restorative dentistry. He co-developed the Rectangular Block Implant (RBI), the first dental implant designed and prototyped in Australia for patients unsuitable for conventional implants due to bone resorption. The project includes two held patents and one pending, with clinical trials conducted at the Melbourne Dental Clinic and plans for multicenter studies. Recent achievements include securing the Australian Education Accelerator Award in May 2024 for commercial production with Signature Orthopaedics and a Faculty Innovation Grant in October 2024 for a multicentre trial. Collaborations extend to the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery to enhance implant care for medically compromised and elderly patients. His work also evaluates ion-leaching restorative materials, such as glass-ionomer and resin-based systems that release fluoride, calcium, and phosphate for remineralization, and recharge from oral products.

Palamara's scholarly output includes highly cited publications such as 'Defects in rotary nickel-titanium files after clinical use' (Journal of Endodontics, 2000; 1446 citations), 'Patterns of vertical root fracture: factors affecting stress distribution in the root canal' (Journal of Endodontics, 2003; 480 citations), 'Physicochemical characterization of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomplexes' (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2005; 444 citations), and 'Torque during canal instrumentation using rotary nickel-titanium files' (Journal of Endodontics, 2000; 359 citations). Recent contributions feature 'Press-Fit Placement of a Rectangular Block Implant in the Resorbed Alveolar Ridge: Surgical and Biomechanical Considerations' (Bioengineering, 2024) and studies on implant accuracy, flexural properties of restorative materials, and bonding techniques. His research informs endodontic procedures, implant biomechanics, and smart material applications in clinical practice.

Professional Email: palamara@unimelb.edu.au