The primary goal of the Division of Prosthodontics is to improve quality of life by preserving and enhancing the appearance, oral function, speech and overall health of the public through contributions and innovations in education, service, and research. The division continues to advance a strong educational program with national recognition.
Toward this end, a high level of importance is placed on the integration and application of emerging technologies within the educational programs. A strong emphasis is placed on research and scholarship. Research programs focuses primarily on dental materials, digital technologies, chronic orofacial pain and dental implants.
Predoctoral Education
Prosthodontics plays an integral role in the education of every dental student from the beginning of the second year with the preclinical program through the third and fourth years in the clinical program.
In the pre clinical program the student is introduced to the principles and concepts of fixed and removable prosthodontics through didactic instruction and advanced clinical simulation. These principles are reinforced and built upon in our third year didactic courses and through clinical experiences in patient care.
Opportunities are available to provide state of the art treatment using the most modern materials from the restoration of a single tooth to larger, multiunit restorations. Students gain experience in implant dentistry by the routine restoration of single tooth implants and mandibular implant overdentures. Opportunities to gain advanced education and experience in implant dentistry are available in the implant clerkship program for selected students. Experiences with advanced esthetic procedures including porcelain veneers and other all ceramic restorations are also available. Cad-cam restorations and other forms of digital dentistry are just being introduced to the program consistent with our commitment to technological advancement.
We have a dedicated and highly experienced faculty and support staff committed to dental education and as such enjoy a very positive and interactive relationship with our students. Our full-time faculty are all trained prosthodontists with many years of clinical experience as well as many years of experience in teaching. They are supported by committed part-time and volunteer Dean’s Faculty who bring a slightly different perspective to the process. Also, our laboratory staff play an active role in teaching in addition to their other duties.
Prosthodontics Scholarship
- Nguyen C; Masri, RM; Driscoll, CF; Romberg, E: The Effect of Denture Cleaning Solutions on the Retention of Pink Locator Attachments: An In vitro Study. J Prosthodont 2010; 19:226-230.
- Choi, C; Driscoll CF; Romberg, E: Comparison of cutting efficiencies between electric and air-turbine dental hanpieces. J Prosthet Dent 2010; 103:101-107.
- Evtimovska, E; Masri, R; Driscoll, CF; Romberg, E: The Change in Retentive Value of Locators and Hader Clips over Time. J Prosthodont 2009;18:479-483.
- Tan KM; Singer, MT; Masri, RM; Driscoll, CF: Modified Fluid Wax Impression for a Severely Resorbed Edentulous Mandibular Ridge. J Prosthet Dent 101:279-282
- Varghese RM, Masri R, Driscoll CF, Romberg E. The effect of denture cleansing solutions on the retention of yellow Hader clips:an in vitro study. J Prosthodont. 2007 May-Jun;16(3):165-71.
- Al-Ahmad A, Masri R, Driscoll CF, von Fraunhofer J, Romberg E. Pressure generated on a simulated mandibular oral analog by impression materials in custom trays of different design. J Prosthodont. 2006 Mar-Apr;15(2):95-101.
- Park SW, Driscoll CF, Romberg EE, Siegel S, Thompson G. Ceramic implant abutments: cutting efficiency and resultant surface finish by diamond rotary cutting instruments. J Prosthet Dent. 2006 Jun;95(6):444-9.
- Dersley G, Masri R. A technique to recement provisional crowns by reactivating residual zinc oxide-eugenol cement. J Prosthet Dent. 2006 May;95(5):397-8.
- Berger JC, Driscoll CF, Romberg E, Luo Q, Thompson G. Surface roughness of denture base acrylic resins after processing and after polishing. J Prosthodont. 2006 May-Jun;15(3):180-6.
- Berger JC, Driscoll CF. Rehabilitation of a spark erosion prosthesis: a clinical report. J Prosthodont. 2006 Mar-Apr;15(2):113-6.
- Al-Ahmad A, Masri R, Driscoll CF, von Fraunhofer J, Romberg E. Pressure generated on a simulated mandibular oral analog by impression materials in custom trays of different design. J Prosthodont. 2006 Mar-Apr;15(2):95-101.
- Habib B, von Fraunhofer JA, Driscoll CF. Comparison of two luting agents used for the retention of cast dowel and cores. J Prosthodont. 2005 Sep;14(3):164-9.
- Wright MD, Masri R, Driscoll CF, Romberg E, Thompson GA, Runyan DA. Comparison of three systems for the polishing of an ultra-low fusing dental porcelain.J Prosthet Dent. 2004 Nov;92(5):486-90.
- Choi M, Romberg E, Driscoll CF. Effects of varied dimensions of surgical guides on implant angulations. J Prosthet Dent. 2004 Nov;92(5):463-9.
- Masri R, Driscoll CF. Mechanical failure of an implant-retained bar: a clinical report. J Prosthodont. 2004 Sep;13(3):184-6.
- Butler CJ, Masri R, Driscoll CF, Thompson GA, Runyan DA, Anthony von Fraunhofer J. Effect of fluoride and 10% carbamide peroxide on the surface roughness of low-fusing and ultra low-fusing porcelain.J Prosthet Dent. 2004 Aug;92(2):179-83.
- Driscoll CF, Masri RM. Single maxillary complete denture.Dent Clin North Am. 2004 Jul;48(3):567-83.
- Chang WS, Romberg E, Driscoll CF, Tabacco MJ. An in vitro evaluation of the reliability and validity of an electronic pantograph by testing with five different articulators. J Prosthet Dent. 2004 Jul;92(1):83-9.
- Choi M, Driscoll CF. Fabrication of a custom eyelid implant prosthesis: a clinical report. J Prosthodont. 2004 Jun;13(2):101-3.
- Rasetto FH, Driscoll CF, Prestipino V, Masri R, von Fraunhofer JA.Light transmission through all-ceramic dental materials: a pilot study. J Prosthet Dent. 2004 May;91(5):441-6.
- Habib BH, Driscoll CF. Fabrication of a closed hollow obturator. J Prosthet Dent. 2004 Apr;91(4):383-5.
- Kim E, Driscoll CF, Minah GE. The effect of a denture adhesive on the colonization of Candida species in vivo. J Prosthodont. 2003 Sep;12(3):187-91.
- Rasetto FH, Driscoll CF. A new removable implant analog.J Prosthodont. 2003 Jun;12(2):146-8.
- Masri R, Driscoll CF, Burkhardt J, Von Fraunhofer A, Romberg E. Pressure generated on a simulated oral analog by impression materials in custom trays of different designs.J Prosthodont. 2002 Sep;11(3):155-60.
- Rasetto FH, Driscoll CF, von Fraunhofer JA. Effect of light source and time on the polymerization of resin cement through ceramic veneers.J Prosthodont. 2001 Sep;10(3):133-9.
- Olan-Rodriguez L, Minah GE, Driscoll CF. Candida albicans colonization of surface-sealed interim soft liners. J Prosthodont. 2000 Dec;9(4):184-8.
- Rasetto FH, Driscoll CF, Hawkes L. A simplified method for fabrication of a die holder. J Prosthodont. 2000 Sep;9(3):159-60.
- Kaplan S, Driscoll CF, Singer MT. Fabrication of a facial shield to prevent facial injuries during sporting events: a clinical report.J Prosthet Dent. 2000 Oct;84(4):387-9.
- Obeid YE, Driscoll CF, Prestipino VJ. An alternative technique for an accurate implant-retained prosthesis impression.J Prosthodont. 1999 Sep;8(3):160-2.
