Departmental Activity- PROSTHODONTICS
Pro-Esthetic Musing By PROSTHO-FACULTY
Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success. Manav Rachna Dental College has been writing many success stories of their students year after year, with the help of their competent faculty in the field.
In an effort to come together with their aims and objectives of this new batch of the post graduate students, Dr Pankaj Dhawan Professor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics organized an interactive session with his fresh batch of PG students, who wanted to pursue the branch of prosthodontics under his guidance. All the three students were asked to express their feelings, interest and reasons for this branch, in an essay of about 300 words. The following are their views in their own words:
NIKITA NITIN KARABALE
Dentistry is a field which includes nine branches and each branch has its own importance. The branches also have an identity given by the professionals who are working in the field of dentistry. To put it in correct words, their perception about the branch. When it comes to Prosthodontics, many dentists refer to it as a branch that requires hard work, you must be ready to take failures, labor work and so on. Still, it is one of the most popular branches of dentistry.
This branch includes a mixed age group of patients, though the majority of them are of geriatric age group. A prosthodontist is considered as a person who ‘REPLACES’ a missing tooth unlike other branches who ‘REPAIRS’ them. And hence it is considered as a branch which requires hard work..It requires excellent knowledge of anatomy, basics of prosthodontics, concepts of occlusion, medical considerations etc. before providing a prosthesis which would provide functional efficiency, structural stability and maintain esthetic harmony.
Apart from the academic part, the branch also gives a chance to provide service to the age group whose needs are minimal and a simple prosthesis, that fulfills all the criteria as mentioned above, brings that happiness which reflects in their eyes. As a human it overwhelms you. Hence, this science appeals to me on various fronts like academic skills, research and the emotional aspect that completes you as a professional.
Coming to the challenges part, that one would face in future as a prosthodontist would depend on the three years which you spend doing your masters. If he/she would gain the knowledge and skill efficiently and use it effectively in an unbiased manner with pure intentions, then that person is capable of facing and overcoming all the challenges. Also, upgradation of knowledge and skills everyday would keep you in the competition of this competitive world.
I would conclude by saying that I feel privileged to have got a chance to pursue masters in this wonderful branch and under the guidance of the professionals who are the masters of this field. One quote which I would remember before starting of the journey of MDS is, “Hard work opens doors and shows the world that you are serious about being one of those rare and special human beings who use the fullness of their talents to do their very best”- ROBIN SHARMA
Sheezan Akhtar
The term “prostho” means replacement and “dontist” means dealing with teeth. Essentially, prosthodontists are the recognized experts when anything needs to be replaced in the mouth.
Why did I choose Prosthodontics?
Prosthodontics is at the heart of dental practice, education, and scientific research. Prosthodontics offers a rewarding and attractive career with unlimited opportunities. There are several paths that can be explored in the specialty, each offering its own unique benefits. Career opportunities involve teaching, patient care, research, administration, and more. These opportunities can quickly elevate us into positions of national prominence. There is opportunity for travel, personal development, and national or international compensated lecturing.
What appeals to me in this science?
Prosthodontists provide several specialized services that utilize state-of-the-art techniques, in order to successfully repair congenital defects, as well as issues that arise from traumatic injury or neglect. But, some of the services that appealed to me to choose Prosthodontics as my career are: Dental Implants, Cast Partial Denture and Fixed Partial Denture.
- Dental Implants
: Despite improvements in dental care, many people suffer tooth loss, mostly due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, or injury. For many years, the only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures. But with Dental Implants, tooth roots get replaced which provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match the natural teeth. This procedure is more reliable and durable, and because of that it’s in great demand these days.
- Cast Partial Denture: During BDS, we were provided just theoretical knowledge about this topic, and we used to just imagine how this procedure is carried out. This topic always interested me to know more about it.
What challenges do I feel would come?
The challenges which I feel I would be facing are: Material Handling and Time Management.
- Material Handling: Materials like Impression Material, different kinds of Waxes, Plasters, Lathe Machine, Trimmers, Burs are required to be handled differently, so it’s a bit of a challenge for me to properly manage and handle these materials.
- Time Management: Time management plays a big factor to make a perfect balance to give equal importance and attention to Lab and Clinical engagement.
Shubhaani Singh
The true sense of dentistry is prosthodontics . Putting a smile on someone’s face makes me really happy . Having beautiful teeth gives the patient much needed confidence and it makes me glad that we have the ability to do this noble thing. We put the patient’s life at ease by making it easier for them to chew food which is a basic human need. Prosthodontics is going to be the biggest branch in the coming years and I feel privileged to be a part of it .Prosthodontics is coming up with digitalization making it the branch with a lot of growth in the next ten years . It is a branch of potential learning and I am thrilled to be a part of this journey as I believe in learning and being ready for the future.
As I have an interest in surgical and aesthetic aspects of dentistry so this branch is the perfect fit for me as it gives me opportunity to learn them both simultaneously. Surgical part will help me advance in implants and the Aesthetic part will lead me to learn veneers, FPDs etc. As I was not a master in pre – clinical prostho in my BDS this gives me the perfect opportunity to achieve my goal. This branch was appealing to me as I get the privilege to learn from Dr. Pankaj Dhawan and other teachers who are masters in this field.
One of my many aims is that once I complete my MDS I should be confident in my work. I wish to not be hesitant or doubtful while dealing with my patients and providing them with the right treatment as I am in the right hands. I wish that I become good enough that I don’t have to turn to people for assistance. I want to be a good independent prosthodontist. The challenge we face is the lab work and small technicalities which come with this branch and I wish to come through. This branch includes a lot of practical work, which makes it difficult for the students to balance academics with work so it requires hard work and focus which I am ready for. I hope it will all come out with ease with the help of my teachers and mentors and I become a shining Prosthodontist.
After knowing the views of the students, Prof. Pankaj Dhawan appreciated them greatly for having chosen a challenging task. He inspired them by telling them that though achieving their mission was an uphill task, they would definitely achieve their goals with commitment and hard work. He also guided them about developing the right attitude which would help them achieve their chosen goals and shaping their destinations.
Prof. Dhawan’s vibrancy and friendliness left a very positive impact upon his students and they were happy. The session was very successful.
All Post-Graduate students of the Department of Prosthodontics and Implantology, Manav Rachna Dental College along with their faculty Dr. Anish Goyal attended a scientific program on 16th February 2017 in Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Science, Delhi which showcased presentations on current concepts of occlusion and role of occlusion in Temporomandibular disorders. Key speaker Dr. Ben A. Sutter (DMD, Rutgers, USA) personally interacted and broadened the horizon of post-graduate students in the field of digital occlusal analysis system. With the series of case presentation and live demonstration he taught how T-Scan with its state of the art, digital software helps clinician to identify premature contacts, high forces and interrelationship of occlusal surfaces which couldn’t be seen before using traditional occlusal indicator methods. Through lectures, videos, case presentations and live demonstrations students learned technology driven protocol for analyzing and treating Temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Key Highlights of the program included:
- Presentation on current concepts of occlusion and role of occlusion in TMD.
- Occlusal analysis using Digital system: T-Scan.
- Case presentations and live demonstration on digital occlusal analysis sytem.
Implant Surgery By Department of Prosthodontics
The Department of Prosthodontics, Manav Rachna Dental College conducted an implant surgery.
It was an emergency case as the patient was in great pain. The tooth was grossly decayed with infection, so extraction of the tooth was carried out and immediate implant placement was done along with the grafting procedure.
The Head of the Department of Prosthodontics, Dr. Pankaj Dhawan, along with his team of other faculty members and post graduate students decided to carry out the surgery despite the pandemic.
All necessary precautions were taken to ensure the safety of all the team members and the patient. All the doctors wore PPE Kits along with N95 masks and face shields.
The surgery was successful and it was a great learning opportunity for the team members under the able and expert guidance of Dr. Pankaj Dhawan. It gave the team a hands-on experience of handling difficult cases as the one referred above.
