About Us
Meet Dr Unni Krishnan Pillai
Clinical Focus:
Dr Pillai brings over two decades of focused endodontic experience to every procedure, specialising in cracked teeth, pain diagnosis, assessing the merits of challenging root canal retreatments and complex dental trauma cases.
Academic Leadership:
As a Clinical Academic at UQ and Griffith Universities, his practice is perpetually informed by the latest research and teaching protocols. He has been an external examiner for final year DClinDent ( Endodontics) students at University of Otago and University of Adelaide.
He is also an Examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) and Associate Editor of Australian Endodontic Journal.
Professional Standing:
He is the President of Australian Society of Endodontology from 2024-2026 and the Co- Chair of the 15th IFEA World Endodontic Congress, Sydney 2026.
Research interest:
If you are a dental student or dentist interested in pursuing MPhil or PhD at University of Queensland, please email unni.krishnan@uq.edu.au for current topics where supervision is available.
Qualifications:
MDS, MSc (Manchester), FRACDS, FRACDS (Endo).
Dr. Pillai is in the final stage of completing his PhD on Cracked teeth at the School of Aeronautical, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Sydney.
Academic Publications:
Cone beam CT assisted re-treatment of class 3 invasive cervical resorption
Krishnan, Unni, Moule, Alex J., and Alawadhi, Abdulwahab (2015). Cone beam CT assisted re-treatment of class 3 invasive cervical resorption. BMJ Case Reports 2015 (mar20 1) 204615 bcr2014204615-bcr2014204615. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2014-204615
Successful management of a case of true radicular dens invaginatus using platelet‐rich fibrin and guided tissue regeneration
Mohan, Aparna, Krishnan, Unni, Akber, Mohammed, Nair, Mali G., and Balan, Anita (2019). Successful management of a case of true radicular dens invaginatus using platelet‐rich fibrin and guided tissue regeneration. Australian Endodontic Journal 46 (1) aej.12377 94-100. https://doi.org/10.1111/aej.12377
Diagnosing pain from sinuses
Krishnan, Unni and Moule, Alex J. (2017). Diagnosing pain from sinuses. Diagnosing Dental and Orofacial Pain: A Clinical Manual. Edited by Alex J. Moule and M. Lamar Hicks. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.96-102.https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119155218.ch16
Complications of local anaesthesia in endodontics
Krishnan, Unni, Moule, Alex, and Renton, Tara (2025). Complications of local anaesthesia in endodontics. Common Complications in Endodontics: Prevention and Management. Edited by Priyanka R. Jain. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.43-65. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-83394-6_3
Mental nerve paraesthesia: A review of causes and two endodontically related cases
Krishnan, Unni and Moule, Alex (2015). Mental nerve paraesthesia: A review of causes and two endodontically related cases. Saudi Endodontic Journal 5 (2) 138-145. https://doi.org/10.4103/1658-5984.155454
An integrated chemical, molecular, elemental, structural and mechanical analysis of Er;Cr:YSGG versus diode laser-induced changes in root dentin
Rathod, Neha N, Mohan, Aparna, Kindaro, Veronica, and Krishnan, Unni (2026). An integrated chemical, molecular, elemental, structural and mechanical analysis of Er;Cr:YSGG versus diode laser-induced changes in root dentin. Journal of Endodontics 52 (7) 1176-1185.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2025.12.012
A limited field cone-beam computed tomography-based evaluation of the mental foramen, accessory mental foramina, anterior loop, lateral lingual foramen, and lateral lingual canal
Krishnan, Unni, Monsour, Paul, Thaha, Khaleel, Lalloo, Ratilal, and Moule, Alex (2018). A limited field cone-beam computed tomography-based evaluation of the mental foramen, accessory mental foramina, anterior loop, lateral lingual foramen, and lateral lingual canal. Journal of Endodontics 44 (6) 946-951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2018.01.013
Treatment preferences for deep caries lesions among Australian dentists
Chai, B.Y.Y, Tay, Bryant Yu Xiang, Chow, Catherine Yee Teng, Fuss, Janet, and Krishnan, Unni (2019). Treatment preferences for deep caries lesions among Australian dentists. Australian Dental Journal 65 (1) adj.12740 83-89. https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12740
An assessment of endodontic treatment completion rate in a University-based student clinic and the factors associated with incomplete treatment
Krishnan, Unni, Huang, Hejie Jessica, Moule, Alex, and Lalloo, Ratilal (2019). An assessment of endodontic treatment completion rate in a University-based student clinic and the factors associated with incomplete treatment. Australian Endodontic Journal 45 (3) 305-310. https://doi.org/10.1111/aej.12317
Changes for the journal and the path forward
Harlamb, Stephen, Krishnan, Unni, and Peters, Ove (2023). Changes for the journal and the path forward. Australian Endodontic Journal 49 (3) 468-469. https://doi.org/10.1111/aej.12816
Diagnostic accuracy of methods used to detect cracked teeth
Kindaro, Veronica, Molland, Huon, Shirbegi, Sara, Renner, Paul, and Krishnan, Unni (2025). Diagnostic accuracy of methods used to detect cracked teeth. Clinical and Experimental Dental Research 11 (3) e70138 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.70138
Biocompatibility with osteogenic potential of premixed bioceramic cements for use in apical surgery
Kim, Yesol, Kim, Jae‐Hoon, Krishnan, Unni, Kim, Hyeon‐Cheol, Song, Minju, and Kwak, Sang Won (2026). Biocompatibility with osteogenic potential of premixed bioceramic cements for use in apical surgery. Australian Endodontic Journal aej.70098 . https://doi.org/10.1111/aej.70098
Free active chlorine in sodium hypochlorite solutions admixed with octenidine, SmearOFF, chlorhexidine, and EDTA
Krishnan, Unni, Saji, Sreeja, Clarkson, Roger, Lalloo, Ratilal, and Moule, Alex J. (2017). Free active chlorine in sodium hypochlorite solutions admixed with octenidine, SmearOFF, chlorhexidine, and EDTA. Journal of Endodontics 43 (8) 1354-1359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2017.03.034
Cone beam CT as an aid to diagnosing mixed radiopaque radiolucent lesions in the mandibular incisor region
Krishnan, Unni, Maslamani, Manal Al, and Moule, Alex J. (2015). Cone beam CT as an aid to diagnosing mixed radiopaque radiolucent lesions in the mandibular incisor region. BMJ Case Reports 2015 (jan09 1) A68 bcr2014207617-bcr2014207617. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2014-207617
Complications of local anaesthesia in endodontics
Krishnan, Unni, Moule, Alex, and Renton, Tara (2018). Complications of local anaesthesia in endodontics. Common complications in endodontics: prevention and management. Edited by Priyanka Jain. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.41-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60997-3_3
Tests and testing
Moule, Alex J. and Krishnan, Unni (2017). Tests and testing. Diagnosing Dental and Orofacial Pain: A Clinical Manual. Edited by Alex J. Moule and M. Lamar Hicks. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.53-60.https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119155218.ch11
Interaction between octenidine-based solution and sodium hypochlorite: a mass spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy–based observational study
Thaha, Khaleel Ahamed, Varma, R. Luxmi, Nair, Mali G., Sam Joseph, V. G., and Krishnan, Unni (2017). Interaction between octenidine-based solution and sodium hypochlorite: a mass spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy–based observational study. Journal of Endodontics 43 (1) 135-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2016.09.015
Assessing and managing cracked molars
Krishnan, Unni and Swain, Michael (2026). Assessing and managing cracked molars. The Guidebook to Molar Endodontics. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland.231-251. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-07352-5_9
Diagnosing dental pain
Moule, Alex J. and Krishnan, Unni (2017). Diagnosing dental pain. Diagnosing Dental and Orofacial Pain: A Clinical Manual. Edited by Alex J. Moule and M. Lamar Hicks. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.61-67. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119155218.ch12
The effect of varying occlusal loading conditions on stress distribution in roots of sound and instrumented molar teeth. A finite element analysis
Wan, Boyang, Chung, Bonnie Han, Zhang, Michelle Ruijia, Kim, Su A., Swain, Michael, Peters, Ove A., Krishnan, Unni, and Moule, Alex (2022). The effect of varying occlusal loading conditions on stress distribution in roots of sound and instrumented molar teeth. A finite element analysis. Journal of Endodontics 48 (7) 893-901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2022.03.009
Spectral filtering of sub-bandgap radiation using all-dielectric gratings for thermophotovoltaic applications
Gupta, Murikipudi V. N. Surendra, Ameen, Elikkottil, Unnikrishnakurup, Sreedhar, Balasubramaniam, Krishnan, Veeraragavan, Ananthanarayanan, and Pesala, Bala (2021). Spectral filtering of sub-bandgap radiation using all-dielectric gratings for thermophotovoltaic applications. Journal of Photonics for Energy 11 (1) 015501-015501. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.jpe.11.015501
Fractographic Analysis of a Split Tooth Presenting Radiographically as a Horizontal Root Fracture in an Unrestored Mandibular Second Molar
Krishnan, Unni, Moule, Alex, Michael, Shaji, and Swain, Michael (2017). Fractographic Analysis of a Split Tooth Presenting Radiographically as a Horizontal Root Fracture in an Unrestored Mandibular Second Molar. Journal of Endodontics 44 (2) 304-311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2017.10.009
Hidden Effect of Repetitive Use on the Fracture Resistance of Rotary and Reciprocating Nickel-Titanium Files
Abu-Tahun, Ibrahim H., Seok Choi, Hyun, Cho, Hyo Chan, Krishnan, Unni, Kim, Hyeon-cheol, and Won Kwak, Sang (2026). Hidden Effect of Repetitive Use on the Fracture Resistance of Rotary and Reciprocating Nickel-Titanium Files. European Endodontic Journal 11 (6) 257-262. https://doi.org/10.65717/eej.2026.25023
Diagnostic and treatment preferences for cracked posterior teeth
Fong, J., Tan, A., Ha, A., and Krishnan, U. (2023). Diagnostic and treatment preferences for cracked posterior teeth. Australian Dental Journal 68 (2) 135-143. https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12959
Familial nonsyndromal multiple supernumerary teeth: a case report
Krishnan, U., Parker, J., Aldeeweli, W., and Al Awadhi, A.W. (2009). Familial nonsyndromal multiple supernumerary teeth: a case report. Dental update 36 (4) 230-232.
A multi-centre case series of alectinib-related erythrocyte membrane changes and associated haemolysis
Gullapalli, Veena, Xu, Wen, Lewis, Craig R., Anazodo, Antoinette, and Gerber, Giselle Kidson (2021). A multi-centre case series of alectinib-related erythrocyte membrane changes and associated haemolysis. Journal of Hematopathology 14 (2) 131-136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12308-020-00427-3
Characteristics of cracks in posterior teeth and factors associated with symptoms: a cross-sectional practice-based observational study
Renner, P., Krishnan, U., Moule, A., and Swain, M. (2025). Characteristics of cracks in posterior teeth and factors associated with symptoms: a cross-sectional practice-based observational study. Australian Dental Journal 70 (3) 181-189. https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.13075