Postgraduate Prosthodontics Curriculum

Postgraduate Prosthodontics Course Descriptions

NOTE: Postgraduate Prosthodontics courses are designated PPRO.

• 700-level courses are Postgrad Prosthodontics course without CGHS credit.
• 800-level courses carry CGHS credit.

PPRO 313 – Management of TMD

This course presents theory and principles involved in the treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders. Topics include evaluation of patient needs, selection of appropriate TMD therapy(s), laboratory fabrication of occlusal splints, placement of the occlusal splints, and follow-up. Co- morbid conditions commonly seen in TMD patients (such as obstructive sleep apnea and malocclusion) are discussed and addressed. When indicated, referral to adjunctive healthcare providers (such as physical therapists and pain specialists) for interdisciplinary management is discussed and provided.  Upon completion of this course, participants are able to: (1) Diagnose the presence of TMDs and identify whether conservative splint therapy is advised; (2) Select appropriate splint therapy and adjunctive therapies for the management of TMD; (3) Monitor patients throughout TMD treatment and maintain patients long-term once symptoms are resolved; (4) Prescribe, design, construct, and place occlusal splints for the management of TMDs; (5) Identify when interdisciplinary care is advised and communicate with other healthcare providers to appropriately manage TMD patients.

PPRO 753 – Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Seminar
This course presents theory and principles involved in the treatment of maxillofacial defects. Topics include evaluation of patient needs, selection of appropriate impression materials and techniques, laboratory fabrication of the prosthesis, placement of the prosthesis, and follow-up. All topics emphasize features unique to maxillofacial prosthetics, while comparing and contrasting these features with conventional prostheses. Optimal surgical outcomes related to defect design for enhanced restorability are discussed. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are considered in light of their impact on the maxillofacial patient. [Course Director: Dr. Michelle Ruse; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered Fall]

PPRO 755 – Advanced Fixed Prosthodontics: Theory and Practice
Advanced Fixed Prosthodontic Theory and Practice is a graduate-level course to prepare prosthodontic residents in their first year for hands-on application of the core principles of fixed prosthodontics in full mouth rehabilitation. This course provides classroom and laboratory review of fixed prosthodontic clinical and laboratory techniques, including but not limited to core buildup/pin material selection and placement, theory and application of retentive features, cast post/core philosophy and pattern generation, fabrication of provisional restorations, crown/bridge preparation, impression and record making, and laboratory procedures for fabrication of definitive restorations.    Knowledge of ideal occlusion achieved through waxing exercises. Ability to equilibrate and manage occlusion in dentate patients.  Understanding of treatment staging and rationale for full mouth fixed prosthodontic rehabilitation. Knowledge of and ability to achieve different preparation designs for different restorative materials. Ability to diagnose the need for and apply core buildups, cast post/cores, pins and retentive features in crown/bridge preparations. Ability to design and fabricate provisional crown/bridge restorations as part of full mouth rehabilitation in the laboratory and chairside using several different approaches. Ability to apply different methods of soft tissue retraction for master impressions without causing trauma to the tissue.  Understanding of the different materials available for impressions and how to use them. Ability to make needed records and complete laboratory work leading up to pressing/casting or milling of definitive restorations.  Ability to design and fabricate definitive crown/bridge restorations with the aide of certified laboratory technician.  

PPRO 760 – Seminars in Prosthodontics
This overview of prosthodontics is presented in a variety of formats (literature/textbook review and discussion, lecture, student presentations, and seminar). Subject areas covered include occlusion, complete dentures, removable partial dentures, anatomy and physiology, TMJ-TMD, dental impressions, tooth preparation, dental implants, laboratory procedures, dental material science, relevant topics in bioengineering, and other subjects pertinent to the practice of prosthodontics. Clinically related seminars include examination, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning for patients with prosthodontics needs. A variety of approaches to treatment and the importance of supportive therapy for treated patients are emphasized. The interrelationship between basic sciences and clinical aspects of prosthodontics is emphasized. An annual review of topics relevant to the private practice of prosthodontics is provided. Appropriate reading material from standard textbooks and prosthodontic literature is often assigned for seminar meetings. [Course Director: Dr. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 766 – Clinical Prosthodontics
The provision of clinical prosthodontic care occurs in the Advanced Prosthodontic Clinic at the UTHSC College of Dentistry. In this setting, prosthodontic residents gain advanced-level experience in the management of complex edentulous, partially edentulous and dentate patients, including the surgical placement and restoration of dental implants. Detailed diagnostic information gathering and analysis of all dental problems are emphasized. Diverse treatment approaches to complicated prosthodontic problems are encountered. Clinical and photographic documentation of all procedures is accomplished, and careful evaluation is made of all treatment rendered. Extensive experience is gained in diagnosis and treatment planning, and multidisciplinary care coordination. Prosthodontic residents plan, place, restore, and maintain and variety of different dental implant systems. [Course Director: Dr. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 780 – Dental Sleep Medicine
This course introduces the student to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), medical comorbidities of OSA, dental intervention to interrupt the progression of OSA, and the importance of precision laboratory fabrication of the mandibular advancement device (MAD). Recognition of patients affected by OSA using various methods, working with other medical providers, careful outcome monitoring of OSA patients to minimize severity following therapy, and long-term follow-up of associated comorbidities. Pre-clinical didactic lectures are designed to familiarize dental residents with dental sleep medicine from a multidisciplinary perspective. The biological fundamentals of airway patency, MAD design, and patient outcome will be emphasized.   This course provides a foundation (didactic knowledge) for dental residents to develop the following skills and knowledge base: Understand the history of sleep medicine and the development of MAD therapy for OSA management. Understanding the varying presentations of disordered sleep and treatments. Understand the patient’s anatomy, physiology, disease processes/progression, and possible interventions. Understand both prosthetic and surgical options. Understand how to monitor progress, assess esthetic outcomes, and appreciate changes in patient health. Learn how to collect relevant data for the implementation of MAD therapy and other possible treatments. Appreciate sleep treatment failures and how to manage related complications. Understand MAD therapy and the importance of maintenance/recall protocols and procedures. Understand that patients with sleep disorders must be monitored yearly for life, and outcome testing must be continued as the patient ages. Understand when the MAD must be replaced. Understand the contributions of lateral cephalometrics, overnight monitoring, and cone beam CT scans in the planning and treatment phases of MAD therapy. Learn the development of a successful relationship with the dental laboratory for MAD fabrication. Understand the indications, principles, and limitations of MAD, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), surgical jaw and pharyngeal procedures, nerve stimulation treatment, positional therapy, and medications.   

PPRO 793 – Teaching Clerkship in Prosthodontics
All prosthodontic residents serve as teaching assistants two half-days per week in the Department of Prosthodontics and receive annual stipends for this departmentally important activity. As teaching assistants, residents are involved in the organized instruction of pre-doctoral dental students in fixed prosthodontics, removable prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics, and dental occlusion courses. Experience is gained through instruction provided during pre-clinical prosthodontic laboratory exercises and prosthodontic clinical procedures. Teaching assignments are posted by the Department of Prosthodontics on a weekly basis. Residents are monitored for content and quality of teaching. [Course Director: Dr. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: 1; Offered: Fall and Spring] 

PPRO 800 – MDS (Prosthodontics) Research and Manuscript
This course provides postgraduate students with the experience of engaging in research in dental and related sciences, and to pursue a Masters of Dental Science (MDS) degree in the UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences. Involvement in this course is arranged to meet individual student needs. Students work with advisors experienced in research methodology and scientific writing. Research mentorship is provided by faculty members gathered to satisfy the needs of the student and the research project being pursued. Student activities include topic-specific review of literature, research protocol development, hands-on research, data acquisition, statistical analysis and interpretation of experimental results, drawing conclusions, and publication of outcomes. Public defense of the research effort and submission of a manuscript to a professional journal in accordance with regulation established by the College of Graduate Health Sciences are required. Research, public defense, and manuscript submission accomplished during this course are in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Dental Science degree awarded by the UTHSC, College of Graduate Health Sciences. [Course Director: Dr. Angela Gullard; MDS Credit Hours: Variable; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 810 – Classic Prosthodontic Literature Review
This seminar provides exposure to historically relevant, scientific literature in various subject areas associated with prosthodontics and related sciences. Periodic and critical abstracting of this literature is accomplished by seminar attendees in order to maintain a database of condensed, topic-oriented summaries. Students in the Advanced Prosthodontic Program participate in this seminar each semester of their three-year residency. Twenty-four broad topics pertinent to prosthodontics are covered on a rotational basis over a three-year period. Eight topics are covered during each year of the students’ three-year residency program. Seminars are led by the Assistant Director of the Advanced Prosthodontic Program. Other members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty are invited to participate when their expertise on the seminar topic is considered beneficial to the learning experience. [Course Director: Dr. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: 3; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 811 – Contemporary Evidence-Based Prosthodontic Journal Club
This seminar provides exposure to historically relevant, scientific literature in various subject areas associated with prosthodontics and related sciences. Periodic and critical abstracting of this literature is accomplished by seminar attendees in order to maintain a database of condensed, topic-oriented summaries. Students in the Advanced Prosthodontic Program participate in this seminar each semester of their three-year residency. Twenty-four broad topics pertinent to prosthodontics are covered on a rotational basis over a three-year period. Eight topics are covered during each year of the students’ three-year residency program. Seminars are led by the Assistant Director of the Advanced Prosthodontic Program. Other members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty are invited to participate when their expertise on the seminar topic is considered beneficial to the learning experience.  [Course Director: Dr. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 852– Comprehensive Prothodontically-Driven Implant Dentistry

This is a one-semester course that is repeatable to encompass the entire academic year. The course is intended to introduce periodontal and prosthodontic residents to prosthodontically-driven implant dentistry. A progression of modules will be completed to expose learners to the diagnosis and treatment planning, surgical procedures, restorative workflows, and maintenance phase of dental implant therapy. A variety of educational resources will be utilized, including resident presentations on assigned topics, case presentations, didactic seminars, and hands-on exercises. Teaching materials will be posted in an online Blackboard course, so they are available for future reference. The course goal is that residents will gain comprehensive interdisciplinary knowledge, enhance their utilization of clinical photography and patient data collection, and use critical thinking in case selection and patient care management regarding dental implant treatment. [Course Director: Dr. Angela Gullard/Dr. Cimara Blunt; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered Fall and Spring] 

DSCI 600 – Head & Neck Anatomy
Detailed study of anatomic structures fundamental to dental specialty training, principally through prosections and dissections. Emphasis is on functional (rather than architectural) relationships as they relate to growth, development, and clinical treatment. Included are lectures on osteology of the skull, innervation and blood supply of the face, muscles of facial expression and mastication, and anatomy of the oral cavity.   Completion of this course will provide the student with a strong foundation in the anatomical principles of head and neck gross anatomy as they apply to clinical dentistry.   

PPER811 – Contemporary Evidence-Based Periodontology Interdisciplinary Journal Club
The contemporary literature review/journal club focuses on articles/books published in the most recent 5 years and with interdisciplinary interest (periodontal, restorative, prosthodontic, diagnostic, information technology), but older articles with important information for each subject may also be included. This course’s goal is that the periodontal residents use critical thinking in the review of recent literature and current advancements/techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with periodontal/implant diseases and related conditions according to scientific principles and knowledge of current concepts of etiology, pathogenesis, and patient management, as well as the identification of patients at risk for periodontal/peri-implant diseases and use of suitable preventive and/or interceptive treatments. The course uses multiple sources, including library materials/articles, books and book chapters, and contemporary electronic media as they relate to providing evidence-based patient care.