Prosthodontics | Al-Azhar Dental College

Department of
Prosthodontics

The Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge at Al-Azhar Dental College, Thodupuzha was established in 2007. The Department focuses on both patient care and also gives equal emphasis/importance to the various teaching methodologies in an innovative manner in the undergraduate level. We aim at providing them highest quality/standard of dental care available and in maintaining/fostering a long time relationship with our patients. Several areas of study are covered for the UG students : Removable prosthodontics, fixed prosthodontics, dental laboratory works, occlusion, TMJ dysfunction, dental ceramics, dental implants, maxillofacial prosthodontics etc. Our students are taught the importance of lifelong learning and updations of latest technique applications in clinical dentistry. Hence we are committed to continuing dental education programs which are professionally enriching.

The undergraduate program provides lectures, seminars, clinical experience and clinical teaching in a period of five and a half years dental curriculum under the KUHS.

Our curriculum is charted such that students are trained through simulations and model works to learn the fundamental skills so that they can handle more advanced cases in the clinics and also in their post-graduate programs. Practicals for complete denture, conventional RPD, cast partial denture are done
on stone models whereas phantom heads are used for FPD exercises. Preclinical training on patient starts in the third year and students are trained at handling cases, ranging from simple case to more complex ones under the supervision of faculty.

VISION

To deliver dental care in the highest standard and maintain a lifelong relationship with our patients and also to bring out professionally well trained Dentists who serve the humanity in the best possible manner

MISSION

To train the undergraduate students to attain skill and competence in providing aesthetically and satisfying functionally prosthesis with love for the subject in the field of prosthodontics

HOD’s Message

Our aim is to provide all the basic & advance Prosthodontics treatment to our patients at very affordable rates. The department includes outpatient department as well as fully equipped prosthetic laboratory.

The department deals with various types of treatments including Complete Dentures, Removable Partial Dentures, Fixed Partial Dentures, Implantology, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics & Full mouth rehabilitation and Temporo- Mandibular disorders

We as a department envision developing ourselves into a flourishing dental prosthetic healthcare facility. We are also aiming to start a separate geriatric department and Implantology department.

At the Dept. of Prosthodontics we strive not only to train our students to be good clinicians but also nurture them to be holistic individuals who are capable of facing life’s challenges. We aim to train our students so that they can compete anywhere in the world with their counterparts. Our teaching faculties are competent, dedicated and friendly.

Prof (Dr.) Litto Manuel

Head of Department, Dept of Prosthodontics

Objectives

These objectives of the department are as follows:

Objective 1

To properly diagnose and execute comprehensive treatment to the patients.

Objective 2

To efficiently guide and provide a clear path for the students in nurturing their prosthetic prowess and to become adept clinicians in the process

Objective 3

To provide adequate training with strong theoretical and practical knowledge to the students

Objective 4

To build a strong rapport among patients, students and staffs

Objective 5

To provide the highest standard of treatment facilities using modern equipment at an affordable price.

Range of Treatments Provided

Complete dentures
Cast partial dentures
Interim removable partial dentures
Overdentures
Metal/ Metal reinforced denture
Precision attachment

Metal/ PFM/ All-ceramic crowns
Bridges
Partial veneers
Laminates
Smile designing

Splints for temperomandibular joint disorders

Implant retained crowns and bridges
Implant supported overdentures

Course Details

Department of prosthodontics offers undergraduate training program in dental materials and prosthodontics as per DCI curriculum.

The undergraduate program begins in first year where the students are taught to understand and use various dental materials and to carry out various prosthodontic laboratory procedures. Regular theory, preclinical prosthodontics and dental materials laboratory sessions are conducted which is carried over onto the second year. Monthly assessment and examinations are conducted to evaluate their theoretical and practical knowledge. One on one attention is given to slow learners and a continued monitoring is done to evaluate their progress.

From third year onwards apart from theory classes, the students are introduced to the clinics and take up patient cases which is continued till final year part 2. Students are taught to record and present detailed case history, to present seminars and also the various clinical and laboratory steps in rpd, cd and fpd fabrication. The students are given various topics in prosthodontics, on which they present seminars. They are also given an insight into the concepts of osseointegration and the value of implant supported prosthodontic procedures and maxillofacial prosthesis.

First year

Regular theory classes are conducted once weekly. Pre clinical dental materials and prosthodontics classes are conducted twice weekly from 10:15am to 2pm. Monthly assessment are conducted to evaluate their performance.

Second year

Theory classes are conducted twice a week. Pre clinical laboratory classes are present thrice in a week from 10:15am to 2pm. Sessional exams are conducted for the students to evaluate their performance. Preclinical laboratory sessions are also conducted where the students are taught rpd designing.

Third year

Theory class is conducted once a week. Students attend clinical postings on rotation basis from 10:15am to 2:00pm. Preclinical laboratory sessions are also conducted where the students are taught various steps in rpd fabrication

Fourth year part 1

Theory classes are conducted once a week. Students attend clinical postings on rotation basis from 10:15am to 12:00pm. Preclinical laboratory classes are conducted where the students are taught various steps in fpd fabrication.

Fourth year part 2

Theory classes are conducted thrice a week. Students attend clinical postings on rotation basis from 10:15am to 2:00pm. Monthly end posting exams and viva voce are conducted. Preclinical sessions are conducted in the phantom head laboratory where the students are taught various tooth preparation techniques on typhodont teeth.

Interns

During internship students have to complete a minimum requirement quota of complete denture and removable partial dentures. The interns are taught to design cast partial denture on models, facebow transfer, and semi-anatomic articulator technique. They are also trained to handle various other prosthodontic treatment modalities like relining, rebasing, overdentures, immediate dentures, tooth preparation for crowns and repair of denture.

Facilities in the Department

Department

‘God creates we recreate’ .

True to our motto the department of Prosthodontics at Al Azhar Dental college aims to provide premium dental treatment to our patients.

The department clinic is spacious with sufficient number of dental chairs for treatment. The students are assigned individual chairs with trolleys for treating their patients. The dental materials are supplied by the college according to student needs. The department also has a fully functional prosthodontics laboratory containing hydraulic press, dewaxing units and acrylization units, where the students carry out the various laboratory procedures. We have a well maintained sterilization room with class B autoclaves to carry out sterilization procedures. Waste disposal is done using colour coded dustbins as per IMAGE protocols. Students are made aware of the potential risk of transmission of various infectious diseases and are strictly advised to adhere to infection control procedures while treating patients to prevent cross contamination. The department also has a seminar room and a library where a vast selection of books are available.

The department has a pre-clinical laboratory wing where the first year and second year undergraduates carry out their various pre clinical exercises. The laboratory has working table tops with bunsen burners which has a seating capacity for more than 100 students. The college also has a phantom head laboratory where students are taught various tooth preparation procedures before they start practicing on patients. Adjacent to our pre clinical laboratory we have a fully equipped ceramic and casting laboratory where state of the art facilities such as ceramic milling unit and programmable porcelain furnace with vaccum pump are available.

The department also runs an implant clinic where a wide array of cases are treated using different implant systems.