Orthodontics

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

Orthodontics concerns the study of development and growth of the head, face and jaws, the development and function of dentition, jaws and kraniofacial complex, and examination and diagnosis of growth, occlusion and eruption anomalies. The academic content includes knowledge about diagnosis, treatment needs and timing, prevention possibilities, effects of different types of orthodontic appliances and indications and contra-indication for their use.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

The candidate is able to:

  • elaborate on etiological factors of tooth- and jaw position- defects and has knowledge of their prevalence.
  • elaborate on pre-and postnatal growth of head and jaws, methods to evaluate growth rate and direction and how growth can be affected by orthodontic treatment.
  • elaborate on occlusion development.
  • diagnose eruption anomalies and how they manifest themselves.
  • explain the need and indication for orthodontic treatment.
  • elaborate on when and how various types of malocclusions should be treated.
  • elaborate on the principles of orthodontic treatment at various ages, the mechanisms and effects of fixed, removable and functional orthodontic appliances.
  • elaborate on the biological reactions to orthodontic tooth movement, adverse effects and the stability of the treatment.
  • elaborate on the principles for the correction of tooth and jaw position defects in interdisciplinary treatment.
  • elaborate on the most common malformations of the face and jaws and the principles of the treatment of cleft lip- and palate.

Skills

The candidate is able to

  • carry out clinical examinations necessary to diagnose growth-, eruption- and occlusal anomalies at various ages.
  • assess the need and timing for orthodontic treatment.
  • inform patients and parents/ guardians about the need (if there is one) for orthodontic treatment, what the treatment involves and it's risks, risk factors and possible side effects.
  • refer patients with treatment need to an orthodontic specialists and communicate and collaborate with the specialist about the treatment.
  • inform patients and/ or parents/ guardians about the social security benefits associated with orthodontic treatment.
  • prevent the development of local tooth defects and initiate treatment to break habits that have diverse effects on the development of the patient's occlusion.
  • carry out prophylactic measures for patients receiving treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances.
  • observe interdisciplinary treatment and evaluate stability after orthodontic treatment.

General qualifications

The candidate is able to

  • diagnose growth-, eruption- and occlusal anomalies and inform about orthodontic treatment needs (if there are needs).
  • present problems as results of malocclusions, the impact of treatment (or no treatment) and inform the patient and/or the parents/ guardians about the social security benefits associated with orthodontic treatment.
  • specify timing and the need for referral of a patient to an orthodontist.
  • present the principles of treatment of various types of malocclusions and the orthodontic treatment with different orthodontic appliances and approaches.
  • inform about adverse effects associated with orthodontic treatment and contribute to prophylactic measures for patients undergoing treatment with orthodontic appliances.

ECTS Credits

6 ECTS credits

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Spring and autumn (the course runs across two semesters)
Required Previous Knowledge
OD3KJEVE (completed 5th semester in Master of dentistry)
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
OD3KJE - 6 ECTS credits
Access to the Course
Master of dentistry, MAOD-ODONT
Teaching and learning methods
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Independent work
  • Group assignment
  • Written assignment
  • Clinical training
  • Case presentations
  • Practical assignments
  • Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching

    Teaching takes place during the 7th and 8th semester and each student has one shift a week.

    Lessons are held as introductory courses, seminars, lectures (one hour a week) and during clinical practice.

    Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

    Passed introductory course, clinical practice and seminar, and written, clinical tests are a prerequisite for sitting the final exam of the course

    All teaching is mandatory, except for lectures. The student is responsible for reporting absences, and unexcused absences are not allowed.¿In addition to the attendance requirements, the academic requirements must be met, both in terms of the quality of the work and sufficient practice.

    In this subject, mandatory activities are valid for two semesters.

    Forms of Assessment

    Passed compulsory teaching activities included clinical training

    4 hour written exam in December

    Grading Scale
    Passed/ failed
    Assessment Semester
    Autumn
    Reading List
    The reading list will be ready within the 1st of December for the spring semester and 1st June for the autumn semester. It will be made available through MittUiB.
    Course Evaluation
    The course is evaluated in accordance with the system of quality assurance of UiB every 3rd year.
    Examination Support Material
    None
    Programme Committee
    The board for studies in odontology
    Course Coordinator
    Professor Keijo A. Luukko
    Course Administrator
    Department of clinical dentistry
    Department
    Department of clinical dentistry