Matthew J. Kesterke
· Assistant ProfessorVerifiedTexas A&M University · Orthodontics
Active 2007–2026
About
Matthew J. Kesterke, PhD, MA, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthodontics at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry. His educational background includes a BA and MA in Biological and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Wyoming, a PhD in Biological Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry. His teaching responsibilities encompass Human Gross Anatomy, Human Growth and Development, Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy, Evidence-based Dentistry, and Human Craniofacial Development and Anomalies. Prior to his current academic role, Dr. Kesterke spent nearly a decade working as a coroner and anthropologist, excavating and investigating human remains across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. His research has focused on skeletal features used in individual identification and the influence of climate, disease, and genetics on human variation. His PhD research investigated the role of maternal thyroid hormone levels on offspring craniofacial variation, utilizing geometric morphometric analysis and Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis to study size and shape changes during growth and development. Currently, his research includes developing 3D facial imaging techniques and facial tracking methods to assess the impacts of trauma, disease, and therapeutic interventions on craniofacial variation.
Research topics
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Internal medicine
- Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Composite material
- Materials science
Selected publications
Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research · 2026-03-11
articleOpen accessABSTRACT Background The mid‐palatal suture is a key growth site for transverse maxillary expansion, yet the cellular mechanisms governing its postnatal development and response to mechanical loading remain poorly defined. This study investigated the contribution of chondrocyte‐derived osteogenesis to maxillary bone formation and the influence of dietary loading on this process. Methods Two chondrocyte‐lineage tracing mouse models were utilised: Aggrecan‐Cre ERT2 (Acan Lineage ); R26R TdTomato ; 2.3Col1a1‐GFP and Col10a1‐Cre (Col10a1 Lineage ); R26R TdTomato ; 2.3Col1a1‐GFP. Twelve 3‐week‐old male mice per genotype were randomly assigned to either a hard diet (control) or soft diet (experimental) for 6 weeks. A single tamoxifen injection was administered to Acan Lineage mice at 3 weeks to induce Cre event. Radiographic, uCT and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results Soft diet feeding significantly reduced maxillary arch width, bone volume and bone mineral density in the mid‐palatal region. Although chondrocyte proliferation was comparable between groups, differentiation was notably impaired. Lineage tracing demonstrated that both Acan Lineage ‐ and Col10a1 Lineage ‐derived bone cells were more abundant under hard diet conditions, while non‐chondrocyte‐derived bone cell numbers remained similar between groups. The population of Acan Lineage ‐derived pre‐osteoblasts and osteocytes was markedly lower in soft diet‐fed mice. Conclusions Acan + chondrocytes in the mid‐palatal suture contribute to postnatal maxillary bone formation through transdifferentiation. Dietary mechanical loading regulates both chondrogenesis and chondrocyte transdifferentiation, ultimately affecting maxillary bone growth and remodelling.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology · 2026-01-20
articleOpen accessObjectives Demineralization of enamel is a major challenge during and after fixed orthodontic treatment. Fluoride can strengthen the enamel and reduce the occurrence of white spot lesions (WSLs). Current fluoride-releasing products exhibit a short-term release due to initial burst effect, which severely limits clinical effectiveness. O-rings are orthodontic elastomeric ligatures used to support the attachment of arch-wire to each bracket. This study aimed to develop a simple method to coat the O-rings for long-lasting fluoride release. Methods Calcium fluoride (CaF 2 ) was coated on the commercial O-rings via a dip and dry method using a coating medium composed of a solution of polycaprolactone (PCL) with CaF 2 microcrystals. To optimize the fluoride release, the coating media with different concentrations of PCL (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) solution were applied, and the fluoride release was measured for 7 weeks. The morphology and elemental abundance of the coatings were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The resilience of the modified O-rings was evaluated by a standard tensile program. Results A thicker coating with a higher elemental abundance of fluoride was achieved by increasing the PCL concentration in the coating medium. The average fluoride release rates of the 2.5%, 5%, and 10% groups in the seventh week were 0.69 μg F − /ring/day, 6.54 μg F − /ring/day, and 6.97 μg F − /ring/day, respectively. 5% and 10% groups showed long-term and linear release within the therapeutic range, while the 2.5% group fell below the range from the sixth week. Conclusion Our study demonstrated Ca-F O-rings displayed sustained fluoride release under in vitro conditions, indicating potential clinical relevance for reducing WSLs during orthodontic treatment. This work represents an early-stage feasibility study and warrants further validation with larger-scale and in vivo conditions.
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics · 2025-12-09
articleClinical Oral Investigations · 2025-01-24
articleSTAR Protocols · 2025-07-15
articleOpen accessTendon cells have been shown to play a critical role during the postnatal growth of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle by transdifferentiating into chondrocytes. Here, we present a protocol for tracking the tendon lineage of Scx CreERT2 ; R26R tdTomato ; 2.3Col1a1-GFP mice in vivo . We describe steps for sample preparation, tissue clearing, confocal microscopy, and artificial intelligence-based analysis, which are also applicable to other mineralized tissues. This protocol enables the study of the contribution of tendon cells to condylar chondrogenesis through 3D visualization. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Yi et al. 1 • Procedure for TESOS tissue clearing technique of the mouse TMJ condyle • Steps for 3D imaging of the mouse TMJ condyle using confocal microscopy • Guidelines for 3D analysis using Imaris and artificial intelligence Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. Tendon cells have been shown to play a critical role during the postnatal growth of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle by transdifferentiating into chondrocytes. Here, we present a protocol for tracking the tendon lineage of Scx CreERT2 ; R26R tdTomato ; 2.3Col1a1-GFP mice in vivo . We describe steps for sample preparation, tissue clearing, confocal microscopy, and artificial intelligence-based analysis, which are also applicable to other mineralized tissues. This protocol enables the study of the contribution of tendon cells to condylar chondrogenesis through 3D visualization.
Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology · 2025-07-21
articleSeminars in Orthodontics · 2025-11-01
articleEvaluation of Preformed Orbital Implants Using 3D Segmentation
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery · 2025-09-01
articleSenior authorSeminars in Orthodontics · 2025-11-01
articleOral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology · 2025-08-22
articleOpen access
Frequent coauthors
- 11 shared
Andrew M. Read-Fuller
University of Rochester
- 10 shared
Bhavin Trivedi
United States Department of the Navy
- 10 shared
Ritesh Bhattacharjee
Texas A&M University
- 10 shared
Likith V. Reddy
Texas A&M University
- 6 shared
Seth M. Weinberg
- 6 shared
Larry M. Wolford
- 6 shared
Ganesh Sankaranarayanan
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- 5 shared
Marta Revilla‐León
University of Washington
Education
- 2017
Postdoctoral Researcher, Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry
- 2016
PhD, Anthropology
University of Pittsburgh
- 2008
Master's of Arts, Anthropology
University of Wyoming
- 2003
Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
University of Wyoming
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