Prosthetics

Objectives and Content

Prosthetics is the study of artificial, indirect replacement of lost or missing oral tissues, primarily teeth. The clinical course is based on the introduction presented in the preclinical course and includes theoretical and clinical introduction to the simpler forms of prosthetic patient care.

Knowledge

The candidate understands and uses:

• Concepts in prosthetics
• Dental technical manufacturing methods related to prosthetic treatment
• Epidemiological data in relation to tooth loss and prosthetic treatment
• Life expectancy data for various types of prosthetic treatment and factors affecting these
• Occlusion and articulation principals for fixed and removable prostheses
• Treatment planning for the manufacture of fixed and removable prostheses
• Appropriate materials and necessary pre-prosthetic treatment
• Aesthetics, including choice of shape and colour of prosthetic restorations
• Adverse effects of prosthetic treatment
• Preparation, impression and jaw registration, design, adjusting and cementing of fixed prostheses
• Post and core fixation of prostheses
• Preparation and fixation of temporary restorations
• Maintenance phase and hygiene programs for patients with fixed and removable prostheses
• Impression, jaw registration, design, adjusting, insertion and post-treatment of removable dentures

Skills

The candidate is able to:

• Obtain necessary anamnestic information relevant to examination, treatment and maintenance
• Carry out necessary clinical and radiological examinations
• Assess the need for additional examinations such as sialometry and microbiological samples
• Assess the need for basic prosthetic treatment
• Evaluate and give information about alternative treatment solutions in relation to prognosis and risk
• Plan and carry out simpler prosthetic treatment
• Assess the quality of laboratory manufactured dental appliances
• Prepare adequate temporary solutions
• Communicate with the patient and provide necessary information about maintenance, including information about intraoral cleaning, dietary guidelines and the need for further controls at the dentist / dental hygienist
• Plan follow-up and control, also where there is a need for help from relatives or other nursing staff
• Document health information, clinical findings / diagnoses, assessments, treatment options, choice of treatment and maintenance plan

General competence

The candidate has skills and knowledge that is reflected in the following attitudes:

• High quality standards for technical accuracy, documentation of case assessments and completed treatment and recommended handling of materials
• Critical self-evaluation of completed treatment and treatment plans
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with other health professionals and any other who participate in the treatment
• Recognition of the need to maintain and renew knowledge within the field of prosthodontics (life-long learning)
• Consider own professional limitations.