Department of Prosthodontics

The Department of Prosthodontics is a branch of dentistry concerned with restoring the loss of tooth structure in natural teeth, replacing missing teeth, and reconstructing the associated oral tissues using artificial materials. It aims to restore oral functions such as chewing and speech, correct aesthetic deficiencies, and establish proper relationships between the upper and lower teeth.

Prosthodontic treatment encompasses five main areas:

1. Fixed Prostheses

Fixed prostheses are ceramic restorations placed on teeth to replace missing teeth or correct aesthetic problems related to tooth shape, color, and alignment. Crowns, bridges, and laminate veneers are examples of fixed prostheses. Depending on the patient's treatment needs, aesthetic expectations, and treatment plan, metal, metal-ceramic, or all-ceramic materials may be used.

2. Implant-Supported Prostheses

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. Implant-supported prostheses are fixed or removable restorations placed on implants, which function as artificial tooth roots. These prostheses restore the patient's functional and aesthetic deficiencies.

Depending on the extent and pattern of tooth loss, implant-supported prostheses may be planned as fixed or removable restorations. When the patient's bone structure is suitable, implant-supported prostheses are a preferred treatment option for replacing missing teeth.

3. Removable Prostheses

Removable prostheses are made of acrylic resin and/or metal and can be inserted and removed by the patient. They are used in cases of partial or complete tooth loss to replace missing teeth and lost oral tissues and to restore oral functions.

4. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Treatments

These treatments aim to manage disorders of the jaw joint, improve mouth opening and chewing functions, and relieve associated pain.

5. Maxillofacial Prostheses

Maxillofacial prostheses are artificial devices used to replace tissue lost due to congenital conditions or acquired defects in the jaw and facial regions.

Education in the Department of Prosthodontics

Education in the Department of Prosthodontics continues throughout the five-year dental education program. Students receive both theoretical and practical training. The first two years are devoted to preclinical education, while clinical practice takes place during the final three years.

Since dentistry requires manual dexterity as well as theoretical knowledge, the educational program integrates theoretical instruction with practical training.

During preclinical education, students learn about general oral and dental anatomy and tooth morphology. They also perform various laboratory exercises designed to improve their manual skills. Using phantom simulators and plaster models, students learn both the clinical procedures involved in prosthetic treatment and the laboratory techniques required to fabricate prostheses.

Clinical education begins in the third year, when students start treating patients under supervision. Throughout the third, fourth, and fifth years, theoretical instruction and clinical practice help students develop the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to perform both fixed and removable prosthetic treatments.