Program Objectives

The PhD Program in Removable Prosthodontics, Department of Masticatory Function Rehabilitation provides advanced training in research and science for postgraduate dentists who may be enrolled concurrently in specialty programs. The program objectives are to provide training in modern Prosthodontics research methods and to equip students to critically analyze research and clinical literature. For dental graduates, this training will prepare for clinical faculty positions, and enhance opportunities for careers as a specialist in Prosthodontic practice. (4 years minimuｍ)

Specific Activities in Research

1) Objective evaluation of prosthodontic treatment outcome based on analyses of masticatory function. The project focuses on determination of relative impact strength of factors related to masticatory function on efficacy of removable prosthodontic services. The experimental parameters including jaw muscle activity, mandibular movement, and dynamic properties of food intake are all analyzed to assess their relevance to the prostheses. The ultimate goal of the study is to develop an evaluation system that enables clinicians to judge their prosthodontic treatment outcome.

2) Objective assessment of stomatognathic system after tooth loss

Tooth loss itself is a successive phenomenon after various lesions in oral environment. We dentists should bear in mind that the prosthodontic service to the patient is not only to replace lost dental integrity by various prostheses but to cure the wholesome condition of stomatognathic system including, tooth, periodontal tissue, jaw bone, muscle of mastication ,TM-joint and nerve system to control oral functions. Objective assessments include by the prosthodontic intervention:

1. Morphological analyses of jaw bone and associated structure after tooth loss is one of the basic knowledge for prosthodontic treatment.

2. Influence of structural design (thickness, width, and curvature) on rigidity and sensitivity to the patients of partial dentures in function is assessed by means of various electronic devices and finite element stress analysis to establish optimal RPD designing.

3) Development of novel design of various prostheses for partially edentulous patients. We always develop new idea to the prostheses applied for the patients including conventional clasp retained partial denture, precision attachment retained denture ,telescope retained partial denture and implant retained denture for the patients. For this purpose, we should conduct follow-up and longitudinal study against those prostheses and analyze the outcomes by them for the future development.

4) Development novel biomaterials to the removable prosthodontics

Conventional biomaterials to the removable partial denture construction is always assessed to develop the “Brand New”biomaterials. Biomaterials including denture plastics, artificial teeth, facing plastics and alloys for retainers and metal framework have been evaluated and developed to the development of new material. We have evaluated the fiber reinforced denture plastics and new Cr-Co alloys for precision retainers.