Nikita B. Ruparel, MS, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Dr. Ruparel is Board certified Endodontist who practices in San Antonio at UT Faculty Endodontics. She is the Director of the Advanced Program in Endodontics at UT San Antonio. She received her certificate in Endodontics in 2013 after receiving her doctoral (PhD) and DDS at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Her practice in Endodontics includes all aspects of modern endodontics. She also lectures at national and international meetings on pain biology, management, and regenerative endodontics. She has also been awarded the Women in Science award from the International Association of Dental Research and the American Association of Endodontics Educator Fellowship for committing her career to academics. She has served as the Vice-Program Chair, Program Chair, and General Chair for the American Association of Endodontics for a 3-year term. Nikita Ruparel is committed to a long-term career as a clinician-scientist.

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 2013 - Residency - Endodontics - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2013 - Post-Doctoral Fellowship - Endodontics - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2011 - PhD - Cellular and Structural Biology - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2011 - DDS - Dentistry - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2003 - MS - Life Science (Neurobiology) - University of Mumbai
  • 2001 - BS - Microbiology - University of Mumbai

  Highlights

  2021 Nominated by the President of UT Health Science San Antonio and Dean of School of
  Dentistry at UT Health Science San Antonio for the “Regent’s Outstanding Teaching
  Award”
  2020 Recipient of the “IADR Women in Science Distinguished Scientist” award, International
  Association of Dental Research
  2019 Recipient of the “Distinguished Research Mentor Award” for School of Dentistry, UT
  Health Science San Antonio

  Appointments

  • 11/2019 - Associate Professor and Advanced Education Director - UT Health San Antonio, Endodontics, San Antonio
  • 1/2018 - Cross Appointment, Assistant Professor Tenure Tack - UT Health San Antonio, Integrated Biomedical Sciences, San Antonio
  • 1/2018 - Mentor - UT Health San AntonioSan Antonio
  • 1/2017 - Adjunct Associate Professor - Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences- South RegionSan Antonio
  • 1/2017 - Hospital Appointment - Children's Hospital of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, San Antonio

• Instruction & Training

  • 1/2018 - Present, Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2018 - Present, DHDD 5003 Periodontium and Pulp, UT Health San Antonio
  • 1/2018 - Present, DIPC 6003 Sophomore Pre-Clinical Endodontics Laboratory, UT Health San Antonio
  • 1/2018 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, UT Health San Antonio
  • 1/2018 - Present, Undergraduate Student Supervision, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2018 - Present, Undergraduate Student Supervision, UT Health San Antonio
  • 1/2017 - 1/2021, Undergraduate Student Supervision, UT Health San Antonio
  • 1/2016 - Present, ENDO Surgical Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2016 - Present, Pediatric Dentistry II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Current Literature Review, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Supervised Teaching, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Supervised Teaching, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Clinical Endo II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Clinical Endodontics III, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, ENDO6080 Focused Regenerative Endodontics Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Case Presentations III, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Case Presentations III, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Clinical Endo II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Case Presentations II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Case Presentations I, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Case Presentations II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Case Presentations II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Case Presentations I, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 10/2014 - Present, Current Literature Review, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2014 - Present, Individual Instruction, UT Health San Antonio
  • 1/2014 - Present, Post Graduate Rotation Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2014 - Present, Clinical Seminar I, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2014 - Present, Clinical Seminar I, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2014 - Present, ENDO5011 Clinical Endodontics I, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2014 - Present, Clinical Endodontics I, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2014 - Present, SELC 8160 Molar Endodontics
  • 1/2014 - Present, Perio/Pros Seminar I, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2014 - Present, Perio/Pros Seminar II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2014 - Present, Case Conferences, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2014 - Present, Endodontics Clinic, The University of Texas Health Science Center

• Publications

  Abstract

  Takimoto K, Ritter C, Ruparel N, Austah O. Avulsed mature permanent tooth treated both extraorally and intraorally with regenerative endodontic procedure; 2018 Jan. (Abs Int Assoc of Dent Traumat). Ritter C, Phillips L, Espitia CM, Kolodrubetz D, Ruparel N. Effect of Residual Biofilm on Release and Activity of Growth Factors from Dentin; 2018 Jan. (AAE Abstr: OR16). Ruparel N.B. Regulation of TRPV1 by a Serotonin-mediated Sexually Dimorphic Mechanism; 2018 Jan. (Abs Pain Mech and Therap: Data Blitz #3.1). Espitia CM, Al Shujaa AM, Qun L, Patil M, Ruparel N. Endogenous Peripheral Pain Regulatory Systems in Orofacial Pain Patients; 2018 Jan. (Abs Soc Neurosci). Bayat SM, Austah O, Whitten S, Espitia CM, Bendele M, Ruparel N. Novel Strategies for Management of Endodontic Pain; 2018 Jan. (Abs AAE: OR33). Whitten S, Bayat SM, Austah O, Espitia CM, Bendele M, Ruparel N. Anti-inflammatory Role of Oral Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Orofacial Inflammatory Pain; 2018 Jan. (Abs Am Assoc of Dent Res: 1117). Ruparel N.B. Characterization of Pain-Modulating Substances in Periradicular Lesions from Teeth with Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Periradicular Pathology; 2017 Jan. (AAE Abstract OR06). Ruparel N, Eskander M, Akopian AN, Henry MA, Hargreaves KM. Regulation of TRPV1 by Serotonin-mediated Sexually Dimorphic Mechanisms; 2017 Jan. (Abs Soc Neurosci: Nanosymposium 732.10). Ruparel N.B. Clinical Outcomes of Immature Teeth Treated with Regenerative Endodontic Procedures. A Retrospective Analysis; 2017 Jan. (AAE Abstract OR23). Ruparel N.B. Immunoregulatory role of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells; 2017 Jan. (AAE Abstract OR 19). Ruparel N.B. Immunoregulatory role of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells; 2016 Jan. (Dent Sci Symp Abstract and AADR Abstract 1176). Ruparel N.B. The Expression and Function of Transient Receptor Potential Channels on Stem Cells of Apical Papilla; 2016 Jan. (AAE Abstract OR13). Ruparel N. Bacterial Byproducts/Biofilm Affect Differentiation of Stem Cells of Apical Papilla; 2016 Jan. (AADR Abstract 0750). Ruparel N.B. Regulation of TRPV1 by a Serotonin-mediated Sexually Dimorphic Mechanism; 2016 Jan. (Int Assoc Study of Pain: 2687, 2016 ; Abs IIMS,). Ruparel N.B. Immunoregulatory Function of Stem Cells of the Apical Papilla; 2015 Jan. (IADR Abstract S0174).

  Book Chapter

  Ruparel N, Austah O, Diogenes A. Current and Future Views on Disinfection for Regenerative Strategies. In: Cooper P and Duncan H. Clinical Approaches in Endodontic Regeneration. Switzerland: Springer Nature; 2018. Walton R, Ruparel N. Endodontic Emergencies and Therapeutics. In: Torabinejad M, Fouad A and Shabahang S (eds). Endodontics-Principles and Practice. Netherlands: Elsevier; 2018. Ruparel N, Khan A. Dental Innervations and Pain of Pulpal Origin. In: Rotstein I and Ingle J (eds). Ingle?s ENDODONTICS. United States: People Medical Publishing House; 2018. Diogenes AR, Ruparel N. Irrigation in Regenerative Endodontic Procedures. In: Basrani B. Endodontic Irrigation. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing; 2016.

  Editorial

  Ruparel N. Management of Endodontic Emergencies: Pulpotomy versus Pulpectomy AAE Colleagues of Excellence 2017 Jan;:1-8. Ruparel N, Chrepa V, Gibbs, JL. Revascularization of Immature Necrotic Teeth Current Oral Health Reports 2017 Jan;4:319-329.

  Electronic/Web Publication

  Nguyen T, Ruparel N. Root Surface Application of Bisphosphonates Reduces Root Resorption of Implanted Teeth 2017 Apr. Available from: http://cats.uthscsa.edu/ . Eskander M, Ruparel N. Combination Therapy of Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Is the Most Effective Treatment for Patients with Post-Endodontic Pain 2017 Mar. Available from: http://cats.uthscsa.edu/ . Movahed SB, Ruparel N. Triazolam Does Not Affect the Success Rate of an Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block (IANB) 2016 Dec. Available from: http://cats.uthscsa.edu/ . Sun J, Ruan H. Regenerative Endodontic Procedures Increase Both Root Length and Width of Necrotic Immature Permanent Teeth compared to MTA Apexification 2016 Dec. Available from: http://cats.uthscsa.edu/ . Takimoto K, Ruparel N. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Provides Greater Accuracy than Conventional Periapical Radiographs in Detecting Periapical Lesions in Patients with Vital Teeth 2016 Nov. Available from: http://cats.uthscsa.edu/ . Ritter C, Ruparel N. Clinical Success of Endodontic Microsurgery at 1 Year is Predictive of Long Term Success 2016 Nov. Available from: http://cats.uthscsa.edu/ . Dennison M, Ruparel N. Guided Tissue Regeneration Techniques may be Beneficial in Improving Outcomes of Surgical Endodontic Treatment of Large, Through-and-Through Periapical Lesions 2016 Nov. Available from: http://cats.uthscsa.edu/ .

  Journal Article

  Austah O, Joon R, Chrepa V, Diogenes A, Ezeldeen M, Couve E, Ruparel N. Comprehensive Evaluation of 2 immature Teeth treated with Regenerative Endodontic Procedures Journal of Endodontics (In Press) 2018 Jan;. Song JS, Takimoto K, Jeon M, Vadakekalam J, Ruparel NB,Diogenes A. Decellularized Human Dental Pulp as a Scaffold for Regenerative Endodontics Journal of Dental Research 2017 Jan;96(6):640-646. Ruparel N, Diogenes AR, Ruparel S, Kolodrubetz DJ, Espitia, C. M., Vishwanat, L., Duong, R., Takimoto, K., Phillips, L. Effect of Bacterial Biofilm on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells of Apical Papilla Journal of Endodontics 2017 Jan;43:916-922. Parrone MT, Bechara B, Deahl TS, Ruparel N, Katkar RA, Noujeim M. Cone beam computed tomography image optimization to detect root fractures in endodontically treated teeth: an in vitro (phantom) study Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2017 Jan;123(5):613-620. Kim SH, Kim S, Shin Y, Lee HS, Jeon M, Kim SO, Cho SW, Ruparel N, Song JS. Comparative Gene Expression Analysis of the Coronal Pulp and Apical Pulp Complex in Human Immature Teeth Journal of Endodontics 2016 Jan;42(5):752-759. Green D, Ruparel S, Gao X, Ruparel N, Patil M, Akopian AN, Hargreaves KM. Central activation of TRPV1 and TRPA1 by novel endogenous agonists contributes to mechanical and thermal allodynia after burn injury Molecular Pain 2016 Jan;12. Austah O, Ruparel N, Henry MA, Fajardo RJ, Schmitz JE, Diogenes AR. Capsaicin-sensitive Innervation Modulates the Development of Apical Periodontitis Journal of Endodontics 2016 Jan;42(10):1496-1502.

  Review Article

  Diogenes A, Ruparel NB. Regenerative Endodontic Procedures: Clinical Outcomes Dental Clinic North America 2017 Jan;61(1):111-125. Diogenes AR, Ruparel N, Shiloah Y, Hargreaves KM. Regenerative endodontics: A way forward Journal of American Dental Association 2016 Jan;147(5):372-380.

• Clinical

  Root Canal Treatments
  Root Canal Retreatments
  Endodontic Microsurgical Procedures
  Regenerative Endodontics
  Vital Pulp Therapy
  Intentional Replantation
  Root Amputation
  3D-Printing and Guided Microsurgical Procedures

  Board Certifications

  • Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics