Dr. Kian Azarnoush

Education | Certifications

Education

  • M.S.D. 2018 in Periodontics | Virginia Commonwealth University
  • D.M.D. 2015 | Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
  • M.S. Cell Biology 2011 | University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio
  • B.S. Microbiology 2007 | University of Texas at Austin

Certifications

  • Intravenous Conscious Sedation certification
  • Oral and Nitrous Oxide Sedation certification
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support | Basic Life Support
  • 20/20 Oral Plastic Surgery

Clinical Skills

Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

  • Chronic Periodontitis
  • Aggressive Periodontitis
  • Initial therapy
  • Pocket elimination surgery
  • Guided tissue regeneration
  • Mucogingival defects/deformities

Implant Surgery

  • Ridge Preservation/Socket Preservation
  • Guided Bone Regeneration
  • Lateral/Vertical Sinus Augmentation
  • Immediate implant placement
  • Immediate implant provisionalization
  • Implant Overdentures
  • Full arch implant supported fixed prosthesis
  • Implant Removal
  • Peri-implantitis
  • Nobel, Zimmer, BioHorizons and Straumann
  • Alveoloplasty

Esthetic Procedures

  • Esthetic crown lengthening
  • Free gingival and connective tissue grafting
  • Allografts (Alloderm)
  • Tunnel Technique
  • Coronally Advanced Flap
  • Gingivectomy

Interdisciplinary Surgery

  • Crown exposures, open/closed approach
  • Surgically facilitated orthodontic treatment
  • Functional crown lengthening
  • Frenectomy/vestibuloplasty

Sedation | Laser | Biologics

  • IV sedation certified: 20+ cases
  • Oral Conscious Sedation
  • Nitrous oxide sedation
  • CO2 DEKA Laser
  • Emdogain (EMD)
  • Gem21s (Rh-PDGF)
  • PRP (Harvest system)
  • PRF

Honors | Awards

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA

  • Dean’s list – Awarded by Tufts University School of Dental Medicine to students who achieved a 3.6 GPA or higher during
    the previous year. (2012/13)
  • Student Research Fellowship – Funded by Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, student must write a research
    proposal and protocol and submit it to research faculty committee members for approval. (07/12)
  • Merit Scholarship – Awarded by Tufts University School of Dental Medicine to students based on academic
    achievements during dental school. (09/11-05/15)

The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

  • Best Masters Student Poster Award – Awarded by The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio during
    the Cellular and Structural Biology Retreat. (05/11)
  • Armand J. Guarino Award for Academic Excellence in Master of Science Studies – Awarded by the University of Texas
    Health Sciences Center at San Antonio to one graduating master’s student. (08/12)

The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

  • Lewis Fellowship – The Margaret Jane McKinney Lewis Fellowship in Bacteriology is awarded by The University of Texas
    at Austin for high academic honors in the molecular genetics and microbiology. (05/07)
  • Graduation with High Honors – Awarded by The University of Texas at Austin for exceptional academic performance
    upon graduation. (05/07)

Publications

Liu M, Xiang R, Wilk SA, Zhang N, Sloane LB, Azarnoush K, Zhou L, Chen H, Xiang G, Walter C, Austad SN, Musi N, DeFronzo R, Asmis R, Scherer PE, Dong LQ, and Liu F. Fat-specific DsbA-L overexpression promotes adiponectin multimerization and prevents mice from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Diabetes ( November 2012 vol. 61 no. 11 2776-2786)

Research | Presentations

Research

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

  • “The effects of Amixicile on subgingival biofilm cultured from humans”
    • Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Amixicile on subgingival biofilm harvested from periodontal pockets of chronic periodontitis and gingivitis patients. The biofilms will be cultured in the laboratory setting and specific bacteria will be identified using real time PCR analysis. Once the bacterial strains are identified, we will compare Amixicile to the common antibiotics used in clinical setting which are: Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, and Amoxicillin + Metronidazole.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA

  • “Epigenetic Therapy for Experimental Periodontitis in a Mouse Model”
    • Evaluating the effects of JQ1 (BRD4 inhibitor) treatment on periodontitis induced inflammation and alveolar bone loss. This is the first study to measure how effectively JQ1 treats periodontitis in vivo.

The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

  • “DsbA-L Expression in Adipose Tissue Accounts for its Insulin Sensitizing Function”
    • In this current study, we show that adipose tissue–specific overexpression of DsbA-L increases adiponectin multimerization and stability in mice. The fat-specific DsbA-L transgenic mice (fDsbA-L) exhibited enhanced activity and energy expenditure and increased resistance to diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Our study also indicates that in addition to regulating adiponectin multimerization and function, DsbA-L has an additional beneficial effect on energy homeostasis. Taken together, our study suggests that increasing the expression levels of molecules such as DsbA-L could be an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity-induced insulin resistance and associated metabolic diseases.

Presentations

  • “Epigenetic Therapy for Experimental Periodontitis in a Mouse Model”
    • American Student Dental Association Annual Session (03/14)
    • Yankee Dental Congress Poster Session finalist (01/14)
    • Bates-Andrews Research Day at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (03/13)
  • “DsbA-L Expression in Adipose Tissue Accounts for its Insulin Sensitizing Function”.
    • Cellular and Structural Biology Retreat at University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio (05/11)

Volunteer Experience

Volunteering

  • Remote area medical, Virginia Dental Society, Wise, Va Surgical dental provider, providing extractions and
    alveoloplasty for patients.
  • Project Bridge Volunteer program allowing Tufts students to provide dental screening, cleanings and simple
    operative procedures on young adults in the Troubled Waters program. (02/14)
  • LOTUS project The program was designed to bring volunteer dental-medical-nutrition students together, to serve
    the underserved patient population in an inter-professional patient care setting. (07/13) & (10/13)
  • Smiles on Wheels Dental Assistant; Organized by the Texas Dental Association to provide dental care to
    underserved areas all around Texas. (Rock Springs, TX 08/09 and Lampasas, TX 02/10).
  • San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic Dental Assistant; Providing free dental care to underprivileged patients throughout San Antonio (07/10)

Professional Associations

American Academy of Periodontology
Southern Academy of Periodontology
Virginia Society of Periodontology
Virginia Dental Association
American Student Dental Association
American Dental Association