- MINDS,Chalakkara, Pallor
Mahe - 673 310 U.T of Puducherry - +91 490 2337406
- enquiry@mahedentalcollege.org
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible artificial substitutes. It includes the specialty of implant, aesthetic and reconstructive dentistry. Restoration of the patient's oral function and rebuilding of the patient's smile is done through the use of dental implants, bridgework, dentures, and crowns.
This department was started in 2009 along with the inception of the Dental College. Since then, it has evolved over the years, one of the landmarks being the introduction of the post-graduate course in 2016. Currently, the department has the following facilities:
43 fully equipped, programmable dental chairs i.e. 34 chairs for undergraduates, 8chairs for postgraduates and faculty, and 1 chair for elite patients. A separate implant clinic to deliver services for patients needing Implant Prosthodontics. Two preclinical prosthodontic laboratories, one each for undergraduates (which caters to the need of 56 students) and postgraduates (fitted with 2 phantom head units for preclinical training). A well-equipped departmental lab with separate casting lab, ceramic lab, and work stations for technicians to work tirelessly. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment like Vita ceramic furnace, induction casting machine to name a few. The laboratory facilitates the fabrication of a variety of dental prostheses of high quality to serve the patients. The department also houses a reception, a departmental library, a seminar room, faculty and post-graduate student's rooms, storeroom & sterilization section. Computer with broadband internet connection and printer are available for use by faculty and students.
Treatment procedures carried out in the Department:
The treatments carried out in the Department include Prosthodontic rehabilitation with Complete Dentures, Removable Partial Dentures, various types of fixed Prostheses (crown and bridge), implant retained/ supported prostheses, etc. In addition, the Department addresses the rehabilitative needs of patients with acquired/congenital maxillofacial defects through various intra-oral and extra-oral Maxillofacial Prostheses. The Department also is providing other specialized prosthodontic services like overdentures, full mouth rehabilitation, TMJ splints, etc.
A remarkable achievement in the field of oral implantology is the successfully running Osseointegration clinic for the placement of Implants both by faculty and post-graduates. So far, more than 200 dental implants have been placed in the last 4 years and implant prostheses ranging from a single crown to full arch fixed and hybrid prosthesis with titanium milled framework have been provided to patients. Each PG student is encouraged to place around 15-20 implants during their course of study.
Advanced diagnostic and treatment protocols are routinely followed which include, surgical guides, single-stage surgeries, guided surgeries, and sinus lift procedures.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate training programme:
The department offers comprehensive training for undergraduate students, which starts from the first year and continues till the final year along with one year of rotational internship. The students are trained to treat completely edentulous and partially edentulous patients with a removable prosthesis. The undergraduate course includes theory lectures and clinical training of 4 years under the supervision of efficient teaching staff. Pre-clinical practical training includes complete denture and partial denture construction on stone models. This is then followed by treatment procedures carried out on actual patients under the able guidance of the teachers.
The department also offers a postgraduate training programme of three years, which is approved and recognized by the Dental Council of India. The postgraduate programme is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching and research and also for advanced training in the rehabilitation of completely edentulous, partially edentulous patients and patients requiring maxillofacial prostheses. Along with this, the academic schedule is designed to include seminars, journal club presentations, case presentations, and a library dissertation. The students are required to be actively involved in research and submit a dissertation in partial fulfillment of the university requirements. The students also participate actively in national and international specialty conferences by presenting scientific papers, table clinics, and scientific posters.
