Assoc Prof Yu Na

Master in Dentistry - Wuhan University, China

Doctor of Dental Science - Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands

Bachelor in Dental Medicine and Surgery - Wuhan University, China

Researcher Interests

Artificial Intelligence application in Dentistry
Digital Dentistry and 3D Printing
Biomaterials, tissue engineering, periodontal regeneration
Chewing function and population oral health

About Researcher

Education and Training

Professional Appointments and Committee Memberships

Awards

Research Interests

Publications

Research Appointments

Director, Innovation

Associate Professor

About Researcher

A/Prof Dr Yu Na serves as a Principal Investigator and Senior Dental Surgeon at the National Dental Centre Singapore, as well as an Assistant Professor in the Oral Health Academic Clinical Program at DUKE-NUS Medical School. Her clinical subspecialty is prosthodontics, and she is widely recognized both nationally and regionally for her work in digital dentistry and dental artificial intelligence. Notably, Dr Yu is the first and only dentist in Singapore to be awarded the Clinician-Scientist Award by the Singapore National Medical Research Council.

She has pioneered several innovative projects in digital dentistry, including leading the use of digital workflow and metal printing technology in clinical trials for removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks, which have since been successfully adopted in National Dental Centre Singapore and the community private dentists. Her research primarily revolves around advancing digital workflows for in clinical procedures, such as digital diagnostics, treatment planning, 3D printing of dental appliances, novel biomaterials, and regenerative dental techniques.

In her leadership roles, Dr Yu is the Director for Innovation at the National Dental Centre Singapore and serves as the Academic Vice Chair for Innovation in the Oral Health Academic Programme at DUKE-NUS. She also leads the Singapore Oro-Facial Initiative (SOFI) theme research and is the Director of MedTech Research at the National Dental Research Institute. Additionally, she heads the Digital Dentistry Development Hub (D3 Hub), a national initiative aimed at transforming dental care through innovation, collaboration, and the integration of advanced digital technologies.

Dr Yu has authored more than 35 publications and book chapters. She sits on the review board for SingHealth's clinical research and innovation grants and is a member of the Executive Committee for the SingHealth AI office. Internationally, she is an editorial board member for both the Journal of Dentistry and Frontier.

As a principal investigator, Dr Yu has established herself in the field of dental treatment outcomes, particularly through her work in novel digital dentistry, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence. She led a multidisciplinary team to develop the SMART RPD software application, which has improved both the quality and efficiency of treatment for removable partial dentures and has been commercialized. She has also spearheaded the development and validation of digital tools and piloted personalised, remote screening solutions for periodontal diseases. Her research includes several studies on AI-driven diagnostic and predictive tools in various dental subspecialties, such as predicting cracked tooth prognosis in endodontics, three-dimensional generative simulations for orthognathic surgery, and AI-assisted diagnostic tools in Periodontics.

Education and Training

Ph.D , Radboud University Nijmegen (2013)
D.M.D, Wuhan University (2009)
D.D.S, Wuhan University (2009)

Professional Appointments and Committee Memberships

Assistant Professor, Singhealth DUKE-NUS Oral Health Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School
Member, Digital Dentistry Society, 2022-2026
Member, International Association of Dental Research (IADR), 2010 – 2026
Member, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS), 2011-2018

Awards

National Day Commendation Medal - 2025
Clinical Service Excellence Award - 2019, 2022, 2023
NMRC Clinician Scientist Award - 2021
SingHealth Foundation Research Award - 2018
DUKE-NUS Khoo Mentored Research Award- 2017
NMRC Clinician Scientist Transition Award - 2016

Research Interests

Artificial Intelligence application in Dentistry
Digital Dentistry and 3D Printing
Biomaterials, tissue engineering, periodontal regeneration
Chewing function and population oral health

Publications

1. Yu N*, Oortgiesen DA*, Bronckers AL, Yang F, Walboomers XF, Jansen JA. A three-dimensional cell culture model to study the mechano-biological behaviour in periodontal ligament regeneration. Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2012;18(2):81-89. (Co-first author). IF 3.056

2. Mota J, Yu N, Caridade SG, Luz GM, Gomes ME, Reis RL, Jansen JA, Walboomers XF, Mano JF. Chitosan/bioactive glass nanoparticle composite membranes for periodontal regeneration. Acta Biomater. 2012;8(11):4173-4180. IF 8.947

3. Leal AI, Caridade SG, Ma J, Yu N, Gomes ME, Reis RL, Jansen JA, Walboomers XF, Mano JF. Asymmetric PDLLA membranes containing Bioglass® for guided tissue regeneration: characterization and in vitro biological behavior. Dent Mater. 2013;29(4):427-436. IF 5.304

4. Yu N*, Oortgiesen DAW*, Bronckers ALJJ, Yang F, Walboomers XF, Jansen JA. Enhancement of periodontal tissue regeneration by periodontal cell implantation. J Clin Periodontol. 2013;40(7):698-706. (Co-first author). IF 8.728

5. Yu N, Prodanov L, te Riet J, Yang F, Walboomers XF, Jansen JA. Regulation of periodontal ligament cell behaviour by cyclic mechanical loading and substrate nanotexture. J Periodontol. 2013;84(10):1504-1513. IF 6.993

6. van Manen EH, Zhang W, Walboomers XF, Vazquez B, Yang F, Ji W, Yu N, Spear DJ, Jansen JA, Yelick PC. The influence of electrospun fibre scaffold orientation and nano-hydroxyapatite content on the development of tooth bud stem cells in vitro. Odontology. 2014;102(1):14-21. IF 2.634

7. Liu Z, Yu N, Holz FG, Yang F, Stanzel BV. Enhancement of retinal pigment epithelial culture characteristics and subretinal space tolerance of scaffolds with 200 nm fiber topography. Biomaterials. 2014;35(9):2837-2850. IF 12.479

8. Yu N, Bronckers AL, Oortgiesen DA, Yan X, Jansen JA, Yang F, Walboomers XF. Periodontal cell implantation contributes to the regeneration of the periodontium in an indirect way. Tissue Eng Part A. 2015;21(1-2):166-173. IF 3.845

9. Yan XZ, van den Beucken JJ, Cai X, Yu N, Jansen JA, Yang F. Periodontal tissue regeneration using enzymatically solidified chitosan hydrogels with or without cell loading. Tissue Eng Part A. 2015;21(5-6):1066-1076. IF 3.845

10. Cai X, Yang F, Yan X, Yang W, Yu N, Oortgiesen DA, Wang Y, Jansen JA, Walboomers XF. Influence of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells pre-implantation differentiation approach on periodontal regeneration in vivo. J Clin Periodontol. 2015;42(4):380-389. IF 8.728

11. Niu Y, Chan WI, Yu N, Gan J, Dong L, Wang C. APTES-modified nanosilica—but neither APTES nor nanosilica—inhibits endothelial cell growth via arrest of cell cycle at G1 phase. J Biomater Appl. 2015;30(5):608-617. IF 2.646

12. Sa Y, Yu N, Wolke JG, Chanchareonsook N, Goh BT, Wang Y, Yang F, Jansen JA. Bone response to porous poly(methyl methacrylate) cement loaded with hydroxyapatite particles in a rabbit mandibular model. Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2017;23(5):262-273. IF 3.056

13. Ong T, Yu N, Meenashisundaram G, Schaller B, Gupta M. Insight into cytotoxicity of Mg nanocomposites using MTT assay technique. Mater Sci Eng C. 2017;78:647-652. IF 7.328

14. Hassanbhai AM, Lau CS, Wen F, Jayaraman P, Goh BT, Teoh SH, Yu N. In vivo immune responses of cross-linked electrospun tilapia collagen membrane. Tissue Eng Part A. 2017;23(19-20):1110-1119. (Corresponding author). IF 3.845

15. Shao J, Yu N, Kolwijck E, Wang B, Tan KW, Jansen JA, Walboomers XF, Yang F. Biological evaluation of silver nanoparticles incorporated into chitosan-based membranes. Nanomedicine (Lond). 2017;12(22):2771-2785. IF 5.307

16. Shi Y, Wang L, Niu Y, Yu N, Dong L, Wang C. Fungal component coating enhances titanium implant-bone integration. Adv Funct Mater. 2018;28(46):1804483. IF 18.808

17. Suryani L, Too JH, Hassanbhai AM, Wen F, Lin DJ, Yu N, Teoh SH. Effects of electromagnetic field on proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3 cells. Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2019;25(2):114-125. IF 3.056

18. Lau CS, Hassanbhai A, Wen F, Wang D, Chanchareonsook N, Goh BT, Yu N, Teoh SH. Evaluation of decellularized tilapia skin as a tissue engineering scaffold. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2019;13(10):1779-1791. (Corresponding author). IF 3.963

19. Wang B, Mastrogiacomo S, Yang F, Shao J, Ong M, Chanchareonsook N, Jansen JA, Walboomers XF, Yu N. Application of BMP-bone cement and FGF-gel on periodontal tissue regeneration in non-human primates. Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2019;25(12):748-756. (Corresponding author). IF 3.056

20. Tan MH, Chanchareonsook N, Jansen JA, Yu N, Liu EWY, Goh BT. The use of biphasic calcium phosphate with or without bone morphogenic protein-2 for bone regeneration during immediate implant placement in a micropig model: a pilot study. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Med Pathol. 2020;32(1):19-25. IF 0.449

21. Niu Y, Wang L, Yu N, Xing P, Wang Z, Zhong Z, Feng Y, Dong L, Wang C. An "all-in-one" scaffold targeting macrophages to direct endogenous bone repair in situ. Acta Biomater. 2020;111:153-169. IF 8.947

22. Wang Z, Niu Y, Tian X, Yu N, Yin X, Xing Z, Li Y, Dong L, Wang C. Switching on and off macrophages by a “bridge‐burning” coating improves bone–implant integration under osteoporosis. Adv Funct Mater. 2021;31(7):2007408. IF 18.808

23. De Araújo A, Cruz M, Avanzi I, Parisi J, Sales A, Yu N, Rennó A. Collagen membranes for skin wound repair: a systematic review. J Biomater Appl. 2021;36(1):95-112. IF 2.646

24. Araújo TA, de Souza A, Santana AF, Braga AR, Custódio MR, Simões FR, Araújo GM, Miranda A, Alves F, Granito RN, Yu N. Comparison of different methods for spongin-like collagen extraction from marine sponges: physicochemical properties and in vitro biological analysis. Membranes. 2021;11(7):522. (Corresponding author). IF 4.106

25. Le BQ, Too JH, Tan TC, Smith RA, Nurcombe V, Cool SM, Yu N. Application of a BMP2-binding heparan sulphate to promote periodontal regeneration. Eur Cell Mater. 2021;31(42):139-153. (Corresponding author). IF 3.942

26. Suryani L, Reuben FJK, Cardilla A, Muthukumaran P, Dong Y, Wen F, Iandolo D, Simon DT, Yu N, Teoh SH. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field intensity on mesenchymal stem cells. Bioelectricity. 2021;3(3):186-196.

27. Liu S, Wen F, Muthukumaran P, Rakshit M, Lau CS, Yu N, Suryani L, Dong Y, Teoh SH. Self-assembled nanofibrous marine collagen matrix accelerates healing of full-thickness wounds. ACS Appl Biomater. 2021;4(9):7044-7058.

28. Chia VAP, See Toh YL, Quek HC, Pokharkar Y, Yap AU, Yu N. Comparative clinical evaluation of removable partial denture frameworks fabricated traditionally or with selective laser melting: a randomized controlled trial. J Prosthet Dent. Accepted. (Corresponding author). IF 3.426

29. Song YL, Yu N, Danny BP, Chew MT. A pilot study on three-dimensional printing of stainless-steel arch bars for orthognathic segmental jaw surgeries. Ann 3D Print Med. 2022;6:100055.

30. Luo X, Lau CS, Le BQ, Tan TC, Too JH, Smith RAA, Yu N, Cool SM. Affinity-selected heparan sulfate collagen device promotes periodontal regeneration in an intrabony defect model in Macaca fascicularis. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):11774. (Corresponding author).

31. Deng M, Yuan X, Zhu X, Wei J, Li M, Yang Z, Yu N, Qin X. Secular trends in the incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years of caries in permanent teeth in six Asian countries: 1990–2021. Int Dent J. 2025;75(4):100841. (Corresponding author).

32. Zhang L, Wen Y, Hong L, Creugers NHJ, Yu N, Li H. Correlation and development of a maximum bite force prediction model based on handgrip force and BMI in young healthy adults. J Oral Rehabil. 2025. doi: 10.1111/joor.70033. Epub ahead of print. (Corresponding author).

33. Liang Y, Li D, Deng D, Chu CH, Mei ML, Li Y, Yu N, He J, Cheng L. AI-driven dental caries management strategies: from clinical practice to professional education and public self-care. Int Dent J. 2025;75(4):100827.

34. Wu S, Dascalub T, Seet R, Chan PY, Yu N, Hartantoa J, Ibragimovb B. Prediction of Pulpal Sequelae in Cracked Teeth with Reversible Pulpitis using Machine Learning Models. J Endod. 2026 Jan 20:S0099-2399(26)00011-7. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2026.01.010.

35. Rahmat M, Chow Kye Sern B, Yu N. Accuracy of Digitizing Master Impressions for Complete Denture Master Casts. Int J Prosthodont. 2026 Jan 30;0(0):1-17.

36. Pruksawan, Sirawit, Xiang Ao, Daryl Kai Foong Lam, Yi Ting Chong, Na Yu, Jun Li, and FuKe Wang. "A generalizable geometry-driven approach for programmable locomotion in stimuli-responsive materials." Materials Today Advances 29 (2026): 100680.

Books and Chapters

1. Yu N, Plachokova A, Yang F, Walboomers XF, Jansen JA. Engineering of dental tissues: scaffolds and preclinical models. In: Stem Cells in Craniofacial Development and Regeneration. 2013:409–429.

2. Yu N. Cell-based tissue engineering strategies to regenerate the periodontium. Book. 2013.

3. Yu N, Yap A. Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry. Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry In: Designing Materials for Medical Devices. January 2025, 171-190