Griffith University

BSc, BChD, PDD (Cum Laude) (Aesthetic Dentistry), MSc DentSci, PhD
Director of Clinical Operations and Professor of Restorative Dentistry
Contact details for Professor Theunis Oberholzer

Current teaching areas

• Restorative dentistry
• Endodontics     

 Research expertise

• Dental materials
• Dental lasers
• Practice based clinical research

Professional Biography

• Prof Oberholzer practiced general dentistryin his own Private practice for 21 years and was Mayor of his town for eleven consecutive years. During that time he also did his Post Graduate Diploma and Masters Degree part time.
• He joined the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa in 2000 as a full time senior lecturer in the Prosthodontic Department where he finished his PhD in 2003.
• He became the Chairman of the Department of Applied Oral Sciences (Prosthodontics, Periodontics and Orthodontics in 2003.
• In 2004 he was appointed as Ass/Professor in the Department of Operative Dentistry, and Head of the division Peadodontics at the Medical University of South Africa.
• He was promoted to Professor, and head of the division Endodontics, (2006-2007)
• In 2007 he left South Africa and was appointed as Professor/Coordinator of Clinical Dentistry at the International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - (Establishing a new Dental School).
• In 2008 he left Malaysia and took up his current position at Griffith University in Australia.
• Prof Oberholzer loves teaching and sharing his extensive clinical experience with students.

Publications

• Grobler, SR, Oberholzer, TG, Rossouw, RJ, van Wyk Kotze, TJ, Grobler-Rabie, A. Shear bond strength, microleakage and confocal studies of four amalgam alloy bonding agents. Quintessence International 2000;31:501-508.
• Moodley, D, Grobler, SR, Rossouw, RJ, Oberholzer, TG, Patel, N. In vitro evaluation of two adhesive systems used with compomer filling materials. International Dental Journal 2000;50(6):400-406.
• Oberholzer, TG, Grobler SR, Rossouw, RJ, van Wyk Kotze, TJ, Senekal, PJ C, Grobler-Rabie, A. Microleakage of Four Different Amalgam Bonding Agents. South African Dental Journal 2001;56:64-70.
• Oberholzer, TG, Rossouw, RJ. Unusual Fracture of a Mandibular Second Premolar: (Case report) Quintessence International 2001;32:299-302.
• Oberholzer, TG, Grobler SR, Rossouw, RJ. Polymerization Shrinkage by 4 differenttypes of dental materials. South African Dental Journal 2001;56:513-516.
• Oberholzer, TG, Geerts, GAVM. Lingualized Occlusion in the South African context. South African Dental Journal 2002;57:25-28.
• Oberholzer, TG, Grobler, SR, Pameijer, CH, Rossouw, RJ. A modified dilatometer for determining volumetric polymerization shrinkage of dental materials. Measurement Science and Technology, 2002;13:78-83.
• Oberholzer TG, Pameijer, CH, Grobler, SR, Rossouw, RJ. The effect of different power densities and method of exposure on the marginal adaptation of four light-cured dental restorative materials. Biomaterials 2003 Sept;24(20):3593-3598.
• Oberholzer TG, Grobler SR, Rossouw RJ, Kotze TJ van Wyk. Effect of an additional flowable compomer layer on microleakage of Class V compomer restorations. South African Dental Journal 2003;58(2);48-53.
• Oberholzer, TG, Grobler, SR, Pameijer, CH, Hudson APGH. The effects of light intensity and method of exposure on the hardness of four light-cured dental restorative materials. International Dental Journal 2003;53:211-215.
• Oberholzer, TG, Grobler, SR, Pameijer, CH, Rossouw, RJ. Effect of Power Density on Shrinkage of Dental Resin Materials. Operative Dentistry  2003;28(5):622-627.
• Oberholzer, TG. Management Of microleakage In Dental Compomers. South African Dental Journal  2003;58(2):74 (StelMed Updates).
• Oberholzer, TG. The Reduction of Postoperative Pain After Amalgam Fillings. South African Dental Journal  2003;58(2):74-75 (StelMed Updates).
• Oberholzer, T G, Schunemann M, Kidd M. Effect of LED curing on microleakage and microhardness of Class V resin-based composite restorations. International Dental Journal-2004;54:15-20.
• Oberholzer, T G, Grobler S R, Pameijer C H, Rossouw R J Volumetric polymerization shrinkage of different dental restorative materials. South African Dental Journal 2004; 59 (1):8-12.
• Oberholzer TG, I C du Preez, Kidd M. Effect of LED curing on the microleakage, shear bond strength and surface hardness of a resin-based composite restoration. Biomaterials 2005;26:3981-3986.
• Saayman CM, Grobler SR, Rossouw RJ, Oberholzer TG. Effect of saliva contamination on microleakage of a bonded compomer. South African Dental Journal 2005; 60 (3):09-113.
• Oberholzer T G, Botha CT, du Preez I C. Advances In Light Curing and Curing Techniques: A Literature Review. South African Dental Journal 2005;60(10):451-454.
• Dawjee S M, Oberholzer TG, Hlongwa P. An introductory report on a new cephalometric method: the Dawjee analysis. South African Dental Journal 2006;60(10):448-450.
• E Pitout,TG Oberholzer, E Blignaut, J Molepo. Coronal leakage of teeth root-filled with gutta-percha or Resilon root canal filling material. Journal of Endodontics. 2006 Sep;32(9):879-81.
• R Lombard, IC Du Preez and TG Oberholzer. Microleakage of Bonded Amalgams Using Different Bonding Intermediates. South African Dental Journal 2007;62(2):56-61.
• Grobler SR, Rossouw RJ, TG Oberholzer.  Microleakage and confocal laser studies of 2 single-step self-etching bonding agents/systems.Quintessence Int. 2007 Jun;38(6):E334-41.
• T G Oberholzer, I C DU Preez, R Lombaard and E Pitout. The Effect of Woven Glass Fibre Reinforcement on the Flexural Strength of Composites. South African Dental Journal 2007;62(9):386-388.
• E Pitout,TG Oberholzer, E Blignaut, J Molepo. Evaluation of a dye penetration test as apposed to a bacterial micro-leakage test to determine the sealing ability of root canal filling materials. SADJ. 2007 Aug;62(7):306-8, 310-1.
• Dawjee S M, Oberholzer TG, Hlongwa P. Non-surgical treatment of anterior open bite and its assessment using the Dawjee Analysis. South African Dental Journal 2008;63(4):234-238.
• Geerts GAVM, Overturf J-H, Oberholzer TG, Grobler SR. The effect of different reinforcements on the fracture toughness of provisional materials. J Prosthet Dent. 2008 Jun;99(6):461-7.
• TG Oberholzer, J H Olivier, C F Dludla, Awareness of the complications of oral piercing in a selected group of young adults. University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) Academic Day August 2007
• Lombaard R, Du Preez I C, Oberholzer TG,  Gugushe T S. Teaching Approaches in South African Dental Schools: Direct Restorative Procedures. SADJ, 2009, Feb;64(1):16-20.
• Pitout E, Oberholzer TG. Leakage of teeth root-filled with GuttaFlow and a single GP cone compared to lateral condensation and warm vertical condensation. SADJ, 2009, April;64(3):104-108.

Refereed proceedings

• T G Oberholzer, S R Grobler, R J Rossouw. Microleakage of Amalgam Bonding Agents. 42nd Academic Year day of the University of Stellenbosch, 1998.
• S R Grobler, R J Rossouw, T G Oberholzer. The current view on dentine bonding. 43rd Academic Year day of the University of Stellenbosch, 1999.
• T G Oberholzer, S R Grobler, R J Rossouw.  Microleakage of four amalgam-bonding agents. The 34th Scientific Congress of the SA Division of the International Association for Dental Research, Cape Town, South Africa. September 2000.
• T G Oberholzer, R J Rossouw, S R Grobler, Shear bond strength, microleakage and confocal studies of amalgam bonding agents. The 34th Scientific Congress of the SA Division of the International Association for Dental Research, Cape Town, South Africa September 2000.
• T G Oberholzer, S R Grobler, R J Rossouw, Microleakage a real problem/amalgam bonding agents The 2nd Skills transfer Workshop of the SA Division of the International Association for Dental Research, Cape Town, South Africa September 2000.
• S R Grobler, D Moodley, A Olivier, T G Oberholzer.  Cytotoxicity Testing of two Dentine Bonding Agents.  Second joint congress of the South African and the East and Southern Africa Divisions of IADR, Durban, South Africa, August 2002.
• T G Oberholzer, R J Rossouw, S R Grobler.  Shear Bond Strength of Dental Resins Cured with Different Irradiations.  Second joint congress of the South African and the East and Southern Africa Divisions of IADR, Durban, South Africa, August 2002.
• T G Oberholzer, S R Grobler, R J Rossouw.  Improved Technique for Determining Volumetric changes of Dental Resins.  Second joint congress of the South African and the East and Southern Africa Divisions of IADR, Durban, South Africa, August 2002.
• A Olivier, T G Oberholzer, S R Grobler, C W van Wyk.  The Growth of Pulpal and Murine Cell Lines on Dentine Disks.  Second joint congress of the South African and the East and Southern Africa Divisions of IADR, Durban, South Africa, August 2002.
• T G Oberholzer, S Muller.  Effect of LED Curing on Micro hardness of Composite Resins.  Second joint congress of the South African and the East and Southern Africa Divisions of IADR, Durban, South Africa, August 2002.
• A Olivier, T G Oberholzer, S R Grobler.  The Growth of Pulpal and Murine Cell Lines on Dentine Disks.  Congress of the South African Division of IADR, Cape Town, South Africa, September 2003.
• S R Grobler, T G Oberholzer. Microleakage and Confocal Laser Studies of Self-etching Bonding Agents. XXXVIII Scientific Meeting of the South African Division of IADR, Pretoria September 2004.
• T G Oberholzer, I C du Preez and E Pitout. Shear bond strength and micro hardness of a dental composite exposed to a LED-curing unit. Medunsa Academic day August 2004.
• R. Lombaard, I C du Preez, J J C van Rooyen and T G Oberholzer. Resin Cements and the Microleakage of Bonded Amalgams. XXXVIII Scientific Meeting of the South African Division of IADR, Pretoria September 2004.
• T G Oberholzer and I C du Preez. Effect of LED Curing on Microleakage of a Composite. Journal of Dental Research, XXXVIII Scientific Meeting of the South African Division of IADR, Pretoria September 2004.
• T G Oberholzer, S R Grobler, A Olivier and A du Boix. Use of Dentin Disks in Cytotoxicity Testing of Dental Materials XXXVIII Scientific Meeting of the South African Division of IADR, Pretoria September 2004.
• S Jefferies, C E Norby, J A Von Fraunhofer, C M Primus and T G Oberholzer. Water Sorption and Solubility of White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). 83 rd General Session of the IADR, Baltimore, USA 2005.
• S Jefferies, J Kato, R Leale, J A Von Fraunhofer, C M Primus and T G Oberholzer. The Strength and Setting Behavior of White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate. 83 rd General Session of the IADR, Baltimore, USA 2005.
• TG Oberholzer and IC DU Preez. The Effect of Woven Glass Fibre Reinforcement On The Flexural Strength Of Composites. First African and Middle-East IADR Federation Conference, Kuwait (September 2005).
• R Lombard, IC Du Preez and TG Oberholzer. Microleakage Of Bonded Amalgams Using Different Bonding Intermediates. First African and Middle-East IADR Federation Conference, Kuwait (September 2005).
• E Pitout, I C du Preez and T G Oberholzer. In Vivo Evaluation Of Minimal-Invasive And Non-Invasive Direct Veneer Techniques. University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) Academic Day 2005.
• TG Oberholzer and L D Sechele. Effect Of Led Curing On Surface Hardness Of A Resin-Based Composite. University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) Academic Day 2005.
• ME Makofane and TG Oberholzer.  Intra-Pulpal Temperature Changes Induced By Conventional Halogen And Led Curing Units. University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) Academic Day 2005.
• TG Oberholzer and IC DU Preez. The Effect Of Woven Glass Fibre Reinforcement On The Flexural Strength Of Composites. University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) Academic Day 2005.
• R Lombard, IC Du Preez and TG Oberholzer. Microleakage Of Bonded Amalgams Using Different Bonding Intermediates. University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) Academic Day 2005.
• A Du Bois, SR Grobler, A Olivier and TG Oberholzer. Permeability of Dentine Discs and Cytotoxicity of a Bonding Agent. IADR, Brisbane, Australia 2006.
• IC Du Preez, TG Oberholzer, J Olivier, R Lombard and M Makofane. Visual, Microscopic, Tactile and Radiographic identification of Occlusal Caries. IADR Congress 2006 (Pretoria).
• M Makofane, TG Oberholzer and IC Du Preez. Intra-pulpal Temperature Changes Induced by Halogen and LED Curing Units. IADR Congress (SA division) 2006 (Pretoria).
• E Pitout, TG Oberholzer and IC Du Preez. In Vivo Evaluation of minimal-invasive and non-invasive Direct Veneer techniques. IADR Congress (SA division) 2006 (Pretoria).
• TG Oberholzer and E Pitout Testing Methods to Determine Sealing Ability of Root Filling Materials. IADR Congress (SA division) 2006 (Pretoria)
• C Tusi, IC Du Preez and TG Oberholzer. Curing depth of a Nano-Filled Composite IADR Congress (SA division) 2006 (Pretoria).
• E Pitout, T Oberholzer and E Blignaut. Micro leakage of teeth root filled with GP or Resilon. IADR Congress (SA division) 2006 (Pretoria).TG Oberholzer, J H Olivier, PR Gwengu, C F Dludla, Complications of oral piercing in a selected group of young adults. IADR Congress (SA division) 2007 (Pretoria).

Awards

• Charles Valcke Award for the Best Poster Presentation in Dental Materials- IADR  Congress (SA division) 2002 (Pretoria)
• Medentsci Distinguished Research Award for the best science research paper-IADR Congress (SA division) 2003 (Pretoria).
• Charles Valcke Award for the Best Poster Presentation in Dental Materials- IADR Congress (SA division)2004 Pretoria.
• Senate Award for Research Excellence (Category: Best researcher). University of Limpopo