RESD 526: Fixed Prosthodontics

Course Description:

This is the second course in a three course sequence of preclinical fixed prosthodontics. The didactic course and laboratory exercises emphasize the restoration of endodontically treated teeth, preparation of multiple abutments for fixed prostheses, preparation of teeth for partial veneer crowns for single or multiple unit prostheses, selection and use of rigid and non-rigid connectors in fixed prostheses, and general fundamentals in treatment planning for fixed prostheses.

Educational Objectives:

The student will gain knowledge in the planning and restoration of missing teeth with fixed prostheses, planning and designing for restoration of endodontically treated teeth. Course objectives include the ability to:

design, prepare and restore a dentoform and natural endodontically treated tooth

prepare two abutments for retainers of a three abutment fixed prosthesis replacing a single molar tooth, fabricate an appropriate provisional restoration, obtain impression, working cast and complete selected laboratory procedures including cast and soldered rigid connectors.

prepare two posterior teeth and one anterior tooth for partial veneer restorations

Course Outline:

Lecture topics include: course description; restoration of endodontically treated teeth, cast post and core foundation restorations; periodontal status of abutments for fixed partial dentures, mouth preparation, clinical decisions; abutment selection; retainer selection; multiple unit provisional restorations; post and core try-in and cementation; introduction to implants including history, terminology, surgical guide fabrication, impression technique, and restorative procedures; pontic and connector design; torch soldering technique; dowel and/or pin retained foundation restorations; cementation procedures; anterior partial coverage restorations; and treatment planning for fixed partial dentures.

Assessment of Competency:

To successfully meet the requirements of this course, the student is expected to attend lectures and laboratory sessions, complete all laboratory projects and to demonstrate her/his knowledge of the lecture and assigned reading material through quizzes, midterm and final written examinations as well as demonstrate skills through simulated clinical and laboratory projects and practical examinations. Students must pass all tooth preparation and provisional restoration practical examinations with 70% or greater. Tooth preparation and provisional restoration practical examinations include both faculty and student self-evaluations with recognition for closeness between faculty and student marks.

Course Requirements:

Attend eight, two-hour lectures, read selected references related to each topic and pass a midterm (essay format) and final (multiple-choice format) written examination.

Practice preparing dentoform teeth for three different designs of indirect restorations using evaluation criteria for reference, manual instructions, and faculty instruction for guidance; subsequent to the skill development for each preparation design, a timed, clinically simulated, competency practical examination must be successfully completed with a grade of 70% or greater.

Attend ten, five-hour laboratory sessions and complete several clinically simulated projects at a satisfactory level

Also, in a clinically simulated environment, students must successfully complete (with a 70% or greater grade) a series of procedures analogous to the Restorative Clinic setting. This practical examination is extended over several weeks and includes several procedures including study casts, diagnostic waxing, treatment planning and an unsupervised tooth preparation. In addition to this, a group of graded procedures including a provisional restoration, final impression and mounted working casts are tested.

Effective Winter Quarter 2007, completion of on-line course evaluation is a requirement of this course. Failure to comply will result in an "Incomplete" grade being assigned.

Competencies Addressed/Assurance of Competencies:

Students are judged competent to proceed to the third quarter of preclinical fixed prosthodontics when they have successfully completed the following:

two written examinations judging student’s knowledge of fixed prosthodontics, associated disciplines, implant prosthodontics, and relevant dental technology.

two tooth preparation competency practical examinations and a prefabricated provisional restoration.

a competency practical examination which includes: a final impression, a mounted working cast exercise and a custom-made provisional restoration.

completion of two cast dowel-core foundation restorations (one dentoform, one natural tooth), a retainer with a rigid soldered connector and a provisional three-unit posterior restoration (all exercises to be completed at a clinically acceptable level).