Luka Župac

Dr. Luka Župac

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 January 2026 in Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
IDIgor Djordjevic
Igor Djordjevic
FIFilip Ivanjac
Filip Ivanjac
DPDanica Popović
Danica Popović
Minja Miličić LazićMinja Miličić Lazić
Minja Miličić Lazić
MCMomcilo Colic
Momcilo Colic
LŽLuka Župac
Luka Župac
Introduction/Objective. Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is followed by orofacial pain and psychological problems that influence patients’ quality of life and work ability. Hypothesis: work ability is affected by psychosocial status changes following temporomandibular dysfunction. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the impairment of Work ability in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction. Methods. Forty-four patients with TMD were admitted to the Clinic for Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade. Patients were treated with medication therapy with ibuprofen, ibuprofen and diazepam, or a stabilizing maxillary occlusal splint. Clinical and functional assessment was based on the diagnostic protocol Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. The study protocol was composed of data on clinical signs, a numerical pain scale and VAS, and a work ability-related questionnaire (Symptoms Check List, SCL-90R). The statistical software package SPSS for Windows (18.0) was used for data processing. Univariate regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of each factor individually, while multivariate regression analysis was used to examine the factors of difference. Results. A statistically significant difference was not recorded in work ability, social life, and daily activities in patients regardless of the chosen therapeutic approach. There was a statistically significant difference in work ability between respondents in relation to psychosocial status (p = 0.002). Univariate regression analysis showed significant values assessing work ability, social life, and daily activities (0.010*, 0.001*, 0.029*) respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, the assessment of social life was significant (p = 0.028). Conclusion. Work ability is influenced by temporomandibular dysfunction proportionally to the level of psychosocial status.

1 January 2025 in Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
IDIgor Djordjevic
Igor Djordjevic
FIFilip Ivanjac
Filip Ivanjac
DPDanica Popović
Danica Popović
Minja Miličić LazićMinja Miličić Lazić
Minja Miličić Lazić
MCMomcilo Colic
Momcilo Colic
LŽLuka Župac
Luka Župac
Introduction/Objective. Orofacial pain and depression are frequent symptoms when temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is present. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the influence of pain intensity on the level of depression in patients with TMD. Methods. This study included 44 patients, heterogeneous in sex and age from 25 to 45 years. Subjects were evaluated for signs of painful TMD based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD protocol. The study protocol was composed of a combination of data on clinical signs, a pain scale numerical, visual analogue scale, and a depression related questionnaire symptoms check list (SCL-90R). Results. When assessed the type of dysfunction and degree of the depression no statistically significant differences were found (p = 0.420). No statistically significant difference was observed in the age of respondents without depression, with moderate and severe depression (p = 0.859), There was no statistically significant difference observed in the degree of chronic pain in patients without depression and patients with a moderate and severe form of depression (p = 0.119). Pain on a numerical scale did not differ significantly in relation to the occurrence and degree of depression (p = 0.171; p = 0.068; p = 0.091). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the psychosocial status between the respondents in relation to the degree of depression regarding social life and daily activity (p = 0.010; p = 0.002). Conclusion. Depression can be one of the causes, but also a consequence of chronic oro-facial pain, and thus indirectly a factor that affects the psychosocial state and quality of life of the patients.

30 September 2026 in AFMN Biomedicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DPDanica Popović
Danica Popović
Minja Miličić LazićMinja Miličić Lazić
Minja Miličić Lazić
LŽLuka Župac
Luka Župac
FIFilip Ivanjac
Filip Ivanjac
SDSlobodan Dodić
Slobodan Dodić
IDIgor Djordjevic
Igor Djordjevic
This study aimed to analyze the frequency and type of technical complications in different categories of removable dentures. We examined clinical health records of 637 denture wearers who presented for repair and collected information on fracture type (tooth, base, clasp), arch location (maxilla vs. mandible), and denture type. Tooth fractures were the most common complication in both arches. In the upper arch, complete dentures showed the highest incidence of base fractures (20.1%), while in the lower arch, the most common complication was acrylic partial denture clasp fractures (56,7%), followed by base fractures (48.4%). Because the prevalence and distribution of denture fractures vary significantly by denture type and arch location, our findings emphasize the critical role of material selection and reinforcement techniques in extending the service life of removable dentures.

15 May 2026 in Dentistry Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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AČAleksandra Dragoljub Čairović
Aleksandra Dragoljub Čairović
MPMirjana Perić
Mirjana Perić
NČNevena Čairović
Nevena Čairović
LŽLuka Župac
Luka Župac
VMVesna Maksimovic
Vesna Maksimovic
DSDragan Milorad Stanimirović
Dragan Milorad Stanimirović
Purpose: This study provides a comparative evaluation of surface changes in BioHPP materials under routine professional hygiene procedures, which is recommended by dentists, twice a year. BioHPP is a polyetheretherketone polymer used in prosthetic dentistry as a frame material. The aim was to investigate whether routine dental cleaning procedures such as ultrasonic scaling and brushing affect the surface proprieties of prosthetic BioHPP restorations. This study was conducted to evaluate the surface properties of different restorations based on BioHPP (veneered with composite resin and polished) after brushing and ultrasonic scaling exposure. Materials and Methods: The BioHPP specimens were divided into three groups. The first group (marked BioHPP) served as a baseline reference for assessing the effect of different surface processing approaches, and no further treatment was applied. The specimens in the second group (BioHPP-P) were polished, while the specimens in the third group (BioHPP-C) were veneered with composite resin. Group BioHPP-P and BioHPP-C of samples was divided into three subgroups: 0—no treatment, 1—exposed to tooth brushing, 2—exposed to ultrasonic scaling. Untreated samples (subgroup 0) served as controls for evaluating treatment-related changes within groups 2 and 3. The surface morphology was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The structure of samples was analyzed using the XRD technique, and the surface wettability was evaluated. Results: The surface roughness of the samples was evaluated via root mean square (RMS) parameter. Baseline BioHPP specimens exhibited higher roughness values compared to the other analyzed groups. The roughness of the non-treated specimens (0) decreased in the line 59.18→28.84→14.51 nm. Treatment of the samples by brushing and ultrasonic scaling was associated with an increase in surface roughness. Variations in water contact angle values were observed. However, no consistent treatment-related trend could be established. Conclusions: Composite veneered BioHPP showed a tendency toward higher surface resistance to brushing and ultrasonic scaling. These findings should be interpreted within the limitations of an in vitro descriptive study.

1 May 2026 in Structural Integrity and Life
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LŽLuka Župac
Luka Župac
MTMilan Travica
Milan Travica
AČAleksandra Dragoljub Čairović
Aleksandra Dragoljub Čairović
IDIgor Djordjevic
Igor Djordjevic
MPMirjana Perić
Mirjana Perić
Nenad MitrovicNenad Mitrovic
Nenad Mitrovic
This study aims to investigate biomechanical behaviour of the bond between prefabricated acrylic teeth and heat-polymerised denture base resin under different loading angles, using 2D Digital Image Correlation method (2D DIC), a method that enables real-time, full-field analysis of displacement and deformation field. The experimental setup involves samples loaded at 45° and 90°, representing clinically relevant angulations that simulate forces encountered during mastication. A two-part positioning tool is developed via 3D printing to guarantee uniform samples positioning. Stochastic pattern is applied to each sample to enable 2D DIC method tracking. 2D DIC enables visualisation of displacement and von Mises strain fields, particularly in the critical regions of the tooth-resin interface. The results show differences in force, deformation, and displacement between samples angle loaded both at 90° and 45°. That suggests significant impact of loading angle and contact area between tooth and denture base.