OVERVIEW

Prosthodontics is the branch of Dentistry that deals with the restoration of compromised teeth and with the substitution of missing teeth in partially or totally edentulous patients.

In particular, the Prosthodontics Course in the 5th year of the Degree Course in Dentistry deals with removable partial and complete dentures.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Acquisition of the theoretical and practical knowledge in order to make a diagnosis in edentulous patients and in order to design and realize a removable partial or total denture.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student must:

• know in depth the intraoral anatomy of the partially and completely edentulous patient
• know in depth the materials and methods needed to realize a removable prosthesis (partial or complete denture)
• be able to diagnose and realize a proper treatment plan including removable prostheses
• be able to clinically identify indications and contraindications to the rehabilitation with the various types of removable prostheses
• be able to apply the knowledge acquired in order to decide the type and the design of the removable prosthesis best suited in a specific clinical situation
• have acquired a proper terminology in order to be able to identify the various types of prostheses and their components and in order to describe the procedures required to realize a removable prosthesis with a suitable language

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures (60 hours) and pre-clinical practical training using casts and simulators (20 hours).

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the School/Department before class begins, in order to arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Classification of the various types of prosthodontic rehabilitations
• Anatomy of edentulous ridges
• Epidemiology of edentulism
• Anatomic and functional consequences of edentulism
• Diagnosis and treatment plan in removable prosthodontics
• Impression materials and techniques
• Wax rims
• Jaw relation record procedures: vertical dimension of occlusion and maxilla-mandibular relationship in the horizontal plane
• Intra-oral and extra-oral jaw registration methods
• Types of articulators and face-bows
• Anterior teeth arrangement: esthetic and phonetic considerations
• Posterior teeth arrangement
• Principles of occlusion
• Delivery of a total denture and follow-up
• Use of a dental surveyor: path of insertion and RPD design
• The components of removable partial dentures (RPD) (minor and major connectors, retainers, clasps, rests)
• Clinical and laboratory procedures to realize a removable partial denture
• Mouth preparation and impressions for RPD
• Physiologic adjustment and altered cast impression technique
• Dental materials for RPD: acrylic resins and metals
• Dental implants and natural teeth-retained overdentures

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes will be delivered to the students.

In order to deepen the topics covered, the following text books are suggested:

- Preti G. Riabilitazione Protesica. UTET

- Chang TL, Orellana D, Beumer J. Kratochvil's fundamentals of removable partial denture. Quintessence publishing

- Zarb, Hobkirk, Eckert, Jacob. Prosthodontic treatment for edentulous patients. Complete dentures and implant-supported prostheses. Elsevier

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA MENINI (President)

MARCO MIGLIORATI (President)

CARLO PESCE (President)

GIANCARLO DELUCCHI

EDOARDO MARTINO

PAOLO PESCE

ARMANDO SILVESTRINI BIAVATI

STEFANO BENEDICENTI (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

March 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam comprises an interview and the presentation of a written paper including the photographic documentation of the activities carried out during the practice exercises.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details of the preparation for the exam and of the level of in-depth study will be given during the lessons.

The interview will mainly regard the topics dealt with during the lessons and will evaluate not only the degree of knowledge but also if the student is able to critically analyze clinical problems that may be presented during the exam.

The student will also have to present a written paper including photographic documentation of the activities carried on during the practice exercises.

The student will have to demonstrate to have the capacity to clearly describe a prosthodontic treatment plan using the proper terminology.